Philippine Embassies, Consulates General, Philippine Missions, and Consular Offices joined the nation in celebrating the 123rd Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2021 with the theme, “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan”.
Due to the pandemic, the majority of the Foreign Service Posts including in Germany, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Cambodia, Kuwait, Japan, Malaysia, Laos, Canada, Denmark, Turkey, South Africa, South Korea, and the Philippine Missions to ASEAN and New York held their flag raising ceremonies and celebrations virtually.
A number of Posts were finally able to celebrate the event by holding the flag raising ceremonies in person at their respective chanceries such as those in Rome, Bern, Lisbon, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Brunei, Nagoya, Rabat, Nairobi, Canberra, Jakarta, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, Doha, Vatican, Hanoi, Guam, Houston, and Athens. Full observance of health protocols were observed, in accordance with existing COVID-19 safety regulations in their respective host countries.
Several Foreign Service Posts also took the occasion as an opportunity to recognize modern-day heroes who have been dedicating their lives in the service of the Filipino people in the midst of the pandemic.
In New Zealand, Myanmar, and Israel, Filipino and local community leaders, frontliner volunteers, and Embassy emergency coordinators were given Distinguished Service Commendation Awards. The Philippine Consulate in Dubai awarded the Dakilang Bayani (Noble Hero) Award to outstanding Filipino expats in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. In the United Kingdom, the Embassy honored the vital roles and the sacrifices of Filipino nurses and other health care workers and seafarers during the pandemic.
Virtual concerts were also held in Germany, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States featuring Filipino music and sounds, as well as, other cultural performances. Philippine Consulates in Frankfurt, California, and Chicago featured a Filipino music scholar in Germany, Filipino American talents, and local Filipino restaurants, respectively. While in Washington and Hong Kong, Posts highlighted the forthcoming 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and the United States, and the friendship between Philippines and Hong Kong, respectively.
The Philippine Embassy in Mexico’s celebration featured Philippine indigenous heritage and cuisine, while the Embassy in Stockholm and Consular Office in General Santos’ celebrations focused on Philippine culture and tradition. The artistic talents of Filipino artists in Sweden were showcased, and PH’s intangible cultural heritage –specifically the Blaan’s traditional art and wearing the authentic crafts by local artisans of the distinct and thriving Kalyak Blaan Care Group–were put in the spotlight.
In Brazil, a webinar was held to focus on historical events leading up to the declaration of independence, with a lecture by Dr. Arnel E. Joven, the Chairperson of the History Department for the University of Asia & the Pacific.
Other Independence Day activities include the wellness program by the Embassy in Moscow which focused on outdoor exercise/calisthenics, the blood donation initiative by the Filipino community participated in by the Philippine Embassy in line with the 72nd anniversary of Philippines-Thailand Treaty of Friendship, a vaccination drive by the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona, and the initiative of Pinoy Road Bikers Sweden, who rode around Stockholm, donning Philippine Flag-inspired uniforms and passing by the Embassy for a quick photo opportunity.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs