09 July 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen has successfully co-organized with the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), a Xiamen-based Filipino organization, a Filipino Community event at the Consulate General’s grounds on June 28 in celebration of the 117th Philippine Independence Day.
More than 200 OFWs and guests attended the event that commenced with a mass service in the morning co-officiated by Bishop Joseph Cai and Father Joseph Cai. The mass was followed by the blessing of the chancery, salu-salo lunch, parlor games and entertainment from Xiamen-based bands.
The National Day messages of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario were read after the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag.
In his National Day message, Philippine Consul General to Xiamen Julius Caesar Flores mentioned that the event was an opportunity for the Filipinos in Fujian province to gather on such a special occasion and pay tribute to their forefathers for their patriotism and bravery in their struggle to gain independence. He also thanked FAX for the support and cooperation to stage the annual event. In view of the 2016 presidential elections, all Filipinos were reminded of their civic duties to register and vote
Consul General Flores stressed that one of the mandates of the Consulate General is to provide assistance to all OFWs and these services include issuance of passports even to those who are illegally staying or overstaying in Fujian province. He also advised overstaying Filipinos to consider the option of returning to the Philippines rather than remain in a precarious situation, including their health/medical condition. Consul General Flores also took the opportunity to remind the OFWs to continue observing the laws of the host country and avoid being involved in illegal activities particularly on drug related matters.
PAL-Xiamen sponsored a raffled business class ticket to promote its Jinjiang-Manila route (and to any point in the Philippines).
The Consulate General also conducted overseas voters registration during the event in which students and OFWs were able to do so. END