PRESS RELEASE
PR-066-2024
26 June 2024, Singapore – Hundreds of Filipinos living and working in Singapore, representing all ages and backgrounds, flocked to the Philippine Bayanihan Centre last Sunday, 23 June 2024, to celebrate the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood.
The first Filipino community-led Kalayaan celebration held after the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event adopted the theme “Fiesta sa Bayan ni Juan: Pagdiriwang ng Pagkakaibigan” captures another objective to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippines-Singapore diplomatic ties. The National/Independence Day celebration relives the atmosphere of the Philippine fiesta.
Preparations for the event were handled exclusively by the Filipino community of Singapore. The organizing committee was composed of leaders and key personalities from the Filipino community (FilCom) in Singapore who volunteered their personal time and resources to ensure the success of the event.
The day-long celebration allowed attendees to immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions of the Philippines. A wide range of activities designed to showcase the best of Filipino heritage were held. The Fiesta kicked off with a parade featuring the native attires and street dances from the different regions of the Philippines, reminiscent of the country’s major festivals. Joining the parade were the personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, led by Ambassador Medardo G. Macaraig, as well as the members of the Fiesta organizing committee, led by Ms. Rochelle Deanna and Mr. Bienvenido Mania.
The parade was followed by an opening program held outdoors, where the audience were treated to more cultural shows, presentations from the event’s major sponsors, a special appearance of Filipino veteran actor-entrepreneur Mr. Joel Torre, and surprise numbers from Filipino movie and theater actress Ms. Pinky Amador and Ambassador Macaraig.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Macaraig expressed his appreciation for the unwavering bayanihan spirit of the Filipino community and its leaders, without which an event of the Fiesta’s magnitude and reach would not have been possible. He also challenged the community to make the Fiesta a yearly tradition, so that Filipinos in Singapore can come together to celebrate the Araw ng Kalayaan.
After the program, the guests had the chance to visit the three (3) Fiesta rooms at the Philippine Bayanihan Centre. Each room highlighted the rich heritage of the different ethno-linguistic groups of the Philippines’s three biggest islands – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The indoor presentations were made possible through the hard work and talent of the different FilCom organizations in Singapore, which, for weeks, collaborated and shared resources to bring their envisioned exhibits for their chosen major regional groups to life.
Other activities of the Fiesta included an outdoor live band, Filipino games, art contest, and raffle draws.
The Philippine Embassy extends its heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose support has made this event possible. Their contributions are vital in bringing the spirit of the Philippines to life in Singapore. (END)
