16 June 2016 - The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in Bahrain commemorated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a Flag Raising Ceremony and a short program at the Embassy lobby on June 12. The celebration was held under the theme “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong.” Embassy personnel and Filipino community leaders attended the simple rites.
The Philippine Flag was hoisted by a ward of the Embassy shelter while other selected representatives of various Filipino organizations in Bahrain read the messages of President Benigno S. Aquino, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras, and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. OWWA Welfare Officer Priscilla M. Flores read the message of OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado.
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver delivered his personal message to the Filipino community, saying “We commemorate our Independence Day as a reminder of the great things that we, Filipinos, can achieve when we come together, empower each other, and help each other towards the achievement of a common goal. Together, we will reignite the spirit of bayanihan that is the essence and life-blood of the Filipino Community. Let us build each other up, and in so doing continue the resurgence of our country.”
The Embassy also honored the students from Philippine School Bahrain who won the First Prize in the Film Making Category (14-17 years old) namely, Jovianne A. Francisco, Ma. Carmella R. Solido, Cyra Alaine L. Pantaleon, Emmery T. Lawan, and Marivic C. Zuniga, and 3rd place, Best in Science Project, namely, Maria Carmella R. Solido, Nathalie Pampy Noelle B. Dalupang and Marivic C. Zuniga, at the recent Nasser bin Hamad Youth Creativity Awards. More than 5,000 contestants from 111 countries competed in Architecture, Art, Science, Filmmaking, Graphic Design and Photography under the patronage of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Shaikh Nasser is also the Chair of Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.
A ceremonial cake-cutting was held before the traditional Almusal ng Bayan. END.
