15 June 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Damascus in partnership with the Filipino community (FilCom) organizations in Syria commemorated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a series of events. These include the Kalayaan 2016 Sportsfest, Kalayaan 2016 flag-raising ceremony, Kalayaan 2016 Thanksgiving Mass, and a luncheon hosted by Philippine Ambassador to Damascus Cresente R. Relacion for the members of the FilCom and some selected guests.
Leading to the culmination of the Kalayaan 2016 celebrations, Damascus PE conducted a kick-off ceremony as it launched the Kalayaan 2016 Sportsfest participated by FilCom members and Damascus PE staff on May 15 at the grounds of St. Anthony Parish church, Hamra, Damascus. There were three events lined up for the Kalayaan 2016 Sportsfest which includes Philippine traditional games like patintero, badminton and bowling tournaments. Badminton games were played at the grounds of St. Anthoy Parish church while the bowling tournament was held at Cham City Center bowling lanes, Kafarsouseh, Damascus on May 22 and June 05, respectively.
The regular first working day of the week flag raising ceremony of the Embassy had become extra special with members of the FilCom and Filipino wards housed at the Embassy’s half-way quarters joining the rest of the officers and staff of the Embassy in the Kalayaan 2016 Flag Raising Ceremony.
Independence Day messages of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras were also conveyed by Ambassador Crescente R. Relacion and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Siegfred T. Masangkay, respectively, to the attendees of the flag raising ceremony.
The Kalayaan 2016 thanksgiving mass which was also attended by the Embassy’s officers and staff and Filipino mass-goers, was celebrated by Fr. Fadi Azar.
Capping the activities of the Embassy’s Kalayaan 2016 celebration is a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Relacion held at Four Seasons Hotel. This was a chance to invite and meet as much Filipinos, residing in Syria, as possible. Direct contacts/stakeholders of the Embassy were also invited and were present during the luncheon.
At the luncheon, which started with the singing of “Lupang Hinirang” and playing of the Syrian national anthem, guests were treated to some cultural performances by select members of the FilCom and tourism audio/video presentations featuring the sights and sounds of the Philippines.
In his speech during the event, Ambassador Relacion praise the Filipino attendees in their contribution to nation-building, while emphasizing the need to continue the fight for freedom from the chains of poverty.
“Ang kalayaan ay hindi lamang po nangangahulugan na tayo ay malaya mula sa paninilbihan sa mga mananakop sa ating bansa. Marami po tayong mga kababayan na nakakadena sa kahirapan.” Ambassador Relacion said in his Independence Day address.
Independence Day messages of President Aquino and Secretary Almendras were also read during the short program before the luncheon for the benefit of those who were not present at the flag-raising ceremony.
Awarding of medals and cash prizes to winners of the Kalayaan 2016 Sportsfest ensued towards the end of the luncheon. A total of 130 participated in the celebration. END
