The Philippine Embassy led the observance of the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in Singapore with a flag-raising ceremony held on Monday, 12 June 2017, the grounds of the Philippine Chancery along Nassim Road.
The officers and personnel of the Philippine Embassy and its attached agencies, as well as leaders, members and friends of the Filipino community in Singapore joined the event.
The rites commenced with the singing of the Philippine national anthem, which was followed by the Panunumpa sa Watawat led by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Laarni Zorayda Gandarosa. Leaders of the Roman Catholic and Christian churches and a representative of the Filipino Muslim Converts Association offered their prayers for the community and the Philippines.
Messages of Philippine officials on the occasion of the 2017 Philippine Independence Day were delivered by officials of the Embassy and the attached agencies – Acting Labour Attaché Ramon Lamberto Pastrana for the message of DOLE Silvestre Bello III; Commercial Counsellor Glenn G. Peñaranda for the message of DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez; First Secretary and Consul Mersole J. Mellejor for the message of Ambassador Antonio A. Morales; Minister Grace Cruz-Fabella for the message of DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano; and Minister and Consul General Victorio Mario M. Dimagiba Jr. for the message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In his message to the Filipino community, Ambassador Morales underscored the relevance of the theme for this year’s independence day celebration, “Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-samang Balikatin” to the program of the government in advancing development in the Philippines, which calls for citizens to continue their good deeds for the country. He requested Filipinos to offer some prayers for the people who are affected by the ongoing situation in Marawi City.
The early morning ceremony featured the performance of guitarist-soloist Arthur Galero who rendered his interpretation of Ako’y Isang Pinoy and Bayan Ko. A traditional Pinoy salu-salo constituted the second part of the program.
The flag-raising ceremony is the second activity to observe Philippine Independence Day 2017 in Singapore. On Sunday, 11 June 2017, officers of the Philippine Embassy led by Minister and Consul General Dimagiba Jr. graced the program organized by the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Skills Training (FAST) at its headquarters in Tanah Merah.
A family-oriented entertainment event “Pagdiriwang 2017”, organized by a Committee of Volunteers that will be held on 18 June 2017 coincides with the Philippine observance.
A diplomatic reception on 19 June 2016 and the annual “Isang Bangkang Malaya” led by the Filipino Dragons Singapore on 23 June 2017 along with small events organized by various Filipino community organizations will complete the list of commemorative activities of the 119th Philippine Day in Singapore.
