22 June 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Dili organized a flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds on June 12 to commemorate the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The commemorative event was attended by more than 200 Filipinos currently based in Timor-Leste.
The ceremony started with the reading of the Independence Day messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras, by Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Emilio T. Hulipas.
Mr. Angelo Salazar, a Filipino volunteer of the Every Nation Ministries, made the event more meaningful with his rousing a cappella rendition of the Philippine National Anthem and Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
Expounding on this year’s theme of “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan at Pagsulong,” Vice Consul and Third Secretary Maurice A. Tiempo stressed that the toil of building the Philippine nation is a shared responsibility of each and every Filipino.
Vice Consul Tiempo also urged the members of the Filipino community in Timor-Leste to be inspired by the country’s heroic past, and use their willpower, wisdom and creative energies to contribute towards the realization of a more inclusive and progressive Philippines.
Filipinos were treated to a sumptuous Filipino breakfast immediately after the flag-raising ceremony.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for the members of the Filipino community in Timor-Leste to foster greater camaraderie, as well as renew their collective commitment to make the vision of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Philippines a reality. END