02 June 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Beirut attended the “Sta. Cruzan sa Beirut 2016” in Sassine and the “Search for Miss Rainbow Ladies 2016 Season 2” in Babel Theatre Hamra held on Sunday, May 29.
Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz watched the Sta. Cruzan parade and then and attended the Catholic Mass officiated by Father Agustin Advincula, Chaplain of the Filipino Roman Catholic Pastoral Community in Lebanon.
In her message after the mass, Ambassador Ruiz encouraged the community including the Sta. Cruzan participants to dwell on the spiritual meaning of this Filipino religious tradition, which gives prominence to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the same day, Vice Consul Grace Perpetua conveyed the message of Ambassador Ruiz to the organizers of the Search for Miss Rainbow Ladies 2016 Season 2 pageant, urging the group to continue to support and collaborate with the Embassy in promoting the Philippines and advancing the interests and welfare of the Filipino community in Lebanon.
The Embassy took the opportunity of announcing and inviting everyone to attend the 2016 Philippine Independence Day Festival on Sunday, June 12, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the grounds of St. Joseph Church, Tabaris for the celebration of our 118th Declaration of Philippine Independence.
The program will start with the traditional Flag Ceremony at 10:00 am before the Catholic Mass at 10:30 am, to be followed by the Food Festival (12:00nn) and Cultural Show featuring Filipino folk dances and OPM/Kundiman Songs (1:00pm). The Cultural Show will end with a raffle draw of ten 100$ cash prizes from BoB Finance – Western Union by presenting receipts from the entire month of March 12 to June 12. A lucky winner will also receive one Emirates return ticket to the Philippines. END