11 December 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Abuja headed by Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid, attended the Christmas party and conducted consular services in Cotonou on December 06.

The event was attended by more than 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Beninese and other foreign friends and opened by a prayer meeting and exhortation led by El Shaddai’s Brother Lucas. Brother Lucas expounded on the meaning and significance of Christmas, with the full participation of Beninese members of El Shaddai, who read the Gospel in their native Fon language and in French. The inter-cultural exchange was marked by the preaching of Brother Lucas in English and Filipino.

Ambassador Lamadrid expressed his gratitude to Philippine Honorary Consul Tomasso Berruti and the Filipino community in Benin Republic for their kind invitation, this being the first Christmas party attended by the Embassy outside Nigeria. The Ambassador encouraged the OFWs to exercise their right to suffrage and vote in the upcoming 2016 national elections by registering as overseas voters.

The Ambassador expressed appreciation to Consul Berruti for his dedicated service to the OFWs in Benin Republic since the establishment of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Cotonou a year ago. He also told the OFWs that the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Cotonou is readily available any time, should they need assistance especially regarding immigration and labor matters. The Ambassador also encouraged foreign guests to attend the Manila FAME in March 2015.

After the Ambassador delivered his short message, a sumptous dinner of Filipino food was served, followed by karaoke singing.

Ambassador Lamadrid was accompanied by Assistance-To-Nationals Officer Raymund C. Ondiano and Communications Officer Clifford Legal. END