29 July 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Ankara held a back-to-back celebration of the 151st Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, the 2015 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week and the World Day Against Human Trafficking on July 26 at the Mabini Hall of the Chancery. Members of the Filipino community in Turkey and the Embassy personnel and their dependents attended the event.
Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez officially opened the program with her remarks emphasizing the importance of Mabini in the history of the Philippines. The Embassy then presented a documentary titled "Apolinario Mabini, Isa sa mga Nagtatag ng Unang Republika at Nagsulong Kalayaan" followed by the recitation of the Embassy children, namely, Ms. Carlwina Victoria Neri and Ms. Melissa Joy Aguilera, of the Decalogue of Mabini.
The showing of four documentaries on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), namely, "Flying a Plane with No Arms", "Empowering Persons with Disability", "Sa Likod ng Kapansanan ni Juan" and " Inspiring Stories Come in Many Forms" highlighted the Embassy's celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. The Embassy carefully chose the four documentaries in order to raise awareness on 1) Filipinos with disabilities who are doing exceptionally well in their chosen field; 2) initiatives by the government and non-government sector on empowering PWDs in the Philippines; and 3) employment opportunities for PWDs in the Philippines.
After the showing of documentaries, emcee Amado Desiderio opened the floor for the comments and feedbacks on the presentations. The members of the Filipino community shared how they were deeply inspired by Filipino PWDs who are determined to succeed and be useful members of society despite their condition.
As the last part of the program and in observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons which is scheduled on July 30, a video clip from Technology, Entertainment and Designs (TED) featuring a talk on the personal experience of Ms. Noy Thrupkaew on Human Trafficking was shown. Ms. Thrupkaew, a journalist by profession, emphasized that Human Trafficking is an encompassing issue that actually affects us on a more personal level. END