PH Embassy in Singapore Celebrates PH Independence Day Virtually
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap records his 2020 Independence Day Message at the Embassy on 10 June 2020. (Singapore PE photo)
SINGAPORE 17 June 2020 – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures in place, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore held a virtual celebration for the 122nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2020.
“This year we celebrate this auspicious day in our history as a nation on a sombre note given the extraordinary circumstances that we and the rest of the world find ourselves in. Freedom today is no longer defined purely by liberty from political oppression by colonizers, which our forefathers bravely fought and died for. Current realities have expanded the meaning of freedom to include freedom from poverty, sickness, and death. Today, fighting for freedom means fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap.
At exactly 9:00AM of 12 June 2020, the Embassy held a virtual flag-raising ceremony streamed on its official Facebook page, with a pre-recorded video of the raising of the Philippine flag attended by Embassy personnel led by Ambassador Yap. The virtual flag-raising garnered 3,100 likes and reactions as well as 992 shares.
The ceremony was then followed by the streaming of the Independence Day Video Messages of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Ambassador Yap.
In his message, Ambassador Yap took the opportunity to update the Filipino community in Singapore on Embassy’s programs and initiatives to soften the impact of COVID-19 on Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and the Philippines. These include the provision of financial support to displaced and affected Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through the DOLE-AKAP, facilitating repatriation flights for stranded Filipinos, effective coordination with Singapore government agencies on various donations and assistance to Philippine hospitals, and media liaison to establish clear lines of communication and factual information, among others.
The Embassy capped off its celebration with a virtual concert uploaded on its Facebook page at 10 AM. The virtual concert, which was dedicated to Filipino medical frontliners fighting the COVID-19 battle, showcased pre-recorded performances from talented Filipino musical artists in Singapore, namely: the San Pedro Calungsod Choir, Mr. Marky Canios, and PsalmiDeo Chorale. The virtual concert got 792 likes/reactions and 183 shares.
“Every crisis presents an opportunity. Let us make this pandemic an opportunity for us to rise above the challenges and strengthen our resolve and resilience as Filipinos. For a country no stranger to every type of disaster, the Philippines and every Filipino will definitely be able to withstand and overcome a calamity like COVID-19. Let us remain steadfast and we will definitely be victorious in the end,” said Ambassador Yap in his Independence Day message. END
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap leads the virtual flag-raising ceremony. (Singapore PE photo)
From left: San Pedro Calungsod Choir, PsalmiDeo Chorale, and Mr. Marky Canios perform during the virtual concert. (Singapore PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.