23 June 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Ankara commemorated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with the Flag Raising Ceremony on the early morning of June 12 with the Embassy officers and staff with their respective families and dependents and members of the Filipino community in Ankara.
Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, led the rites. Officers and staff, their respective families and members of the Filipino community in Ankara joined together for the singing of National Anthem. The “Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas” was led by Mrs. Nadjefah Mangondaya. The recitation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Profession was led by Ms. Girlie Dinso, while the DFA Prayer was led by Ms. Rowena Neri and the Muslim Prayer by Mr. Nhur Mangondaya.
Consul Ericka Anna T. Abad read the Independence Day Message of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. Minister and Consul General Robert Ferrer read the Independence Day Message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. Ambassador Sanchez read before the guests the last Independence Day Message of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
The flag-raising ceremony was followed by the community singing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” while simultaneously, Embassy officials, their family members and guests marched in unison in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bust of Dr. Jose Rizal in commemoration of his 155th Birth Anniversary (on 19 June 2016). Mr. Hasan Nur Mangondaya and Mr. Craig Nathan Aguilera bore the wreath, accompanbied by young Filipino students from Ankara and Embassy personnel. Folk singer Florante’s famous song “Ako’y Isang Pinoy” was also sung during the brief ceremony.
After the ceremony, Filipino community, Embassy personnel along with their families had a Filipino traditional breakfast consisting of pritong bangus, pritong danggit, tuyo at pusit, paksiw na isda, arroz ala cobana, scrambled eggs with tomatoes and onions, pandesal, monay and fresh fruits. END
