27 June 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Tehran together with the members of the Filipino community of Iran, their spouses, children and invited guests celebrated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with the theme “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong” at the Philippine Chancery on June 17.
The Independence Day celebration started with the singing of the Philippine national anthem, followed by a recital of the pledge of allegiance to the Philippine flag, and reading of the messages of Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras and President Benigno S. Aquino III by First Secretary and Consul Alfredo Borlongan and Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, respectively.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Meñez warmly welcomed and expressed his appreciation to the Filipino community of Iran and all the visitors for attending and participating in the commemoration of the most remarkable event in Philippine history – the anniversary of Philippine Independence.
Ambassador Meñez updated the community on the recent activities of the Embassy in promoting Philippine trade, economic, culture, and tourism in Iran as well as future plans and endeavors that will enhance and boost the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Iran in all areas of possible cooperation. He also made mention on the regular visits and assistance extended by the Embassy to distressed Filipinos in Kish Island, adding that as of the recent visit to Kish in the second week of June, there are more or less 50 Filipinos left out of the thousands of Filipinos exiting in Kish Island in the previous years.
Ambassador Meñez further thanked all the Filipinos who cast their votes in the recently concluded national elections and conveyed his hope that with the new administration friendly and cordial relations between the Philippines and Iran will continue to prosper as evidenced by the growing mixed marriages between Filipinas and Iranians as well as the increasing number of Iranian students in the Philippines.
The members of the Filipino community, for their part, expressed their gratitude for inviting them and their families to take part in the yearly celebration of the Philippine Independence which they consider as a significant event reminding them of their roots as a Filipino nation and the love of their country. They were also happy to feel the Filipino atmosphere with the different cultural presentations featuring Filipino folk songs and dances and partaking of the native Filipino dishes. END