PH Embassy in Damascus Celebrates PH Independence Day with Flag Ceremony, Thanksgiving Mass
Chargé d’Affaires and Consul General Alex V. Lamadrid (center) is joined by Damascus PE personnel during the flag ceremony to mark the 122nd Philippine Independence Day. (Damascus PE photo)
DAMASCUS 19 June 2020 – The Philippine Embassy in Damascus, led by Chargé d’Affaires and Consul General Alex V. Lamadrid, gathered at the chancery’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) for a flag ceremony on 12 June 2019, and a Thanksgiving Mass at the St. Anthony of Padua Church on 14 June 2020, to mark the 122nd anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence.
On 12 June 2020, after the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and recitation of the “Panunumpa sa Katapatan ng Watawat”, Chargé d’Affaires Lamadrid delivered his message, followed by the reading of the Independence Day message of Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte and showing of the Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr.’s video message.
Chargé d’Affaires Lamadrid reminded Embassy personnel and FWRC wards on the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by Philippine heroes to attain independence. He also recalled the significance of the Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 which mandated the protection of the rights of Filipino migrant workers.
FWRC wards watched videos on the Kalayaan 2020, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Frontliner Tribute, and Mabining Mandirigma. A simple breakfast followed the ceremony. In attendance were Embassy personnel and 49 FWRC wards.
On 14 June 2020, St. Anthony of Padua Church Fr. Joseph Constantine celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass, attended by the members of the Filipino community and foreign parishioners.
In remarks after the mass, Chargé d’Affaires Lamadrid congratulated the Filpino community on the occasion of the 122nd Independence Day celebration. He paid tribute to Filipino frontliners and OFWs all over the world during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. He underscored the mandate of the Embassy to protect the rights of overseas Filipinos and to repatriate Filipinos who wish to return home. He likewise emphasized the advocacy of the Embassy to fight against human trafficking and reminded the community that trafficking is an international crime punishable both in Syria and the Philippines. END
Chargé d’Affaires and Consul General Alex V. Lamadrid joins the members of the Filipino community and foreign parishioners in singing "Our Father' during the Thanksgiving Mass. (Damascus PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.damascuspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSyria/.