Kalayaan 2020 in UK, Ireland Honors Courage and Strength of Filipino Pandemic Frontliners
LONDON 17 June 2020 — Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio M. Lagdameo delivered his speech during the first virtual flag raising ceremony in commemoration of the 122nd anniversary of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2020. This year’s celebration focused on the theme, “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa bansang malaya, nagbabayanihan, at ligtas (Independence Day 2020: Towards a free, united, and safe nation).
In his speech, Ambassador Lagdameo lauded the courage, resilience, and compassion of the Filipino frontliners in the UK and Ireland in confronting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that ripped through both countries since February 2020.
“Filipinos have taken center stage to inspire courage and perseverance wherever they are—be it in the COVID wards and ICUs of the hospitals, in various care homes, aboard fishing boats and oil tankers, at the supermarkets and factories, in the transportation, sanitation, and social welfare offices of local governments, in law enforcement, and in various volunteering roles, that bring material assistance and moral support to those who suffer under the lockdown,” he said. “They are heroes because they are able to conquer their fears and fight not just for themselves but for those who depend on them,” he added.
Various Filipino community organisations tuned in to the event through Zoom while the officers of the Embassy gathered on-site to lead the celebration.
Across the UK and Ireland, Filipino community organisations also celebrated Philippine Independence through various events and programs that were compliant with current measures being implemented by the UK and Ireland to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. END
For more information, visit https://www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/pg/PHLinUK or https://twitter.com/philippinesinuk