PH Embassy in Russia Marks Kalayaan 2020 with Online Program
Philippine Embassy in Moscow personnel, led by Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, stand at attention for the flag ceremony on 12 June 2020. (Gilbert Mame and Vida Cara photos)
MOSCOW 29 June 2020 — The Philippine Embassy in Moscow, Russian Federation, with the participation of the Filipino communities in Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, celebrated the 122nd Anniversary of Philippine Independence with a virtual program broadcast on 12 June 2020.
Due to the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s commemorative activity was held online, broadcasted from the Embassy Chancery by a dedicated production team composed of Embassy personnel. The two-part program was hosted by Ms. Cecyrille Lorenzo and Mr. Alec Sunga and consisted of the following: a live broadcast of the flag ceremony and reading of the messages of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Ferrer, Jr. and Third Sceretary and Vice Consul Mary Grace Perpetua, respectively.
As the day coincided with Russia Day, messages congratulating the Filipino were received by the Embassy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and other Russian Government officials. Embassies and Diplomatic Missions assigned to Moscow also send congratulatory messages to the Embassy.
The program was blessed with the participation of Filipino community leaders via Zoom, and a short video production featuring two cultural presentations on poetry and music. The first presentation was a song number titled “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika”, performed by members of the Philippine Embassy Cultural Performers Group (PCPG). The second presentation was a poetry interpretation by Vice Consul Catherine Alpay of a classic piece written by renowned Filipino poet Benilda S. Santos. Viewers can watch the two-part program on the Embassy’s Facebook page.
Through the hosts’ messages, the Embassy thanked the Filipino community for its display of bayanihan and resilience during these difficult times. The Embassy also encouraged the Filipino community to continue taking care of their health and to keep abreast with relevant information and announcements posted by the Embassy on its Facebook page.
Despite the challenges brought about by COVID19, the Embassy will continue to actively engage the Filipino communities and its other stakeholders, and develop activities that will promote the best of Filipino culture. END
Sgt. Pablito Igne (leftmost) and Protocol Officer Ceferino (second from left) and hosts Ms. Cecyrille Lorenzo (second from right) and Mr. Alec Sunga (rightmost), lead the virtual flag ceremony at the Embassy grounds. (Vida Cara photo)
Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. (left) reads the 122nd Independence Day Message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte while Third Secretary and Vice Consul Mary Grace I. Perpetua (right) reads the Message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (Vida Cara and Cherry Narvaez photos)
Members of the Philippine Embassy Cultural Performers Group (left) in their online performance of “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika” while Third Secretary and Vice Consul Catherine Alpay (right) reads a classic piece from renowned Filipino poet Benilda S. Santos. (Vida Cara photo)
Filipino community leaders participate in the virtual flag ceremony for Kalayaan 2020 via Zoom. (Screenshot from the FB broadcast)
For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia