30 June 2015 – Officials and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Dili joined the faculty and students of the Maharlika International School (MIS) in celebrating the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence through a fun-filled program held at Timor Plaza on June 20.
The event featured a repertoire of Filipino popular songs and traditional dances performed by MIS students who are mostly of Filipino and Timorese nationalities. With the youthful exuberance displayed by the students, the delighted audience was given a preview of the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines.
In his brief remarks, Third Secretary Maurice A. Tiempo shared the unique Philippine experience in building the Filipino nation. He exhorted the students to be proud of their national identity and culture, as well as exude a greater sense of moral and social responsibility.
Established in 2008, MIS has been granted provisional accreditation by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to operate as a Philippine School Overseas (PSO) in Timor-Leste.
At the sidelines of the event, a Philippine food and trade fair was also organized by the Association of Filipinos in East Timor. Embassy officials also led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally launch the activity. END