14 June 2012 - Philippine Consul General to Dubai Benito B. Valeriano headed the commemoration of the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence in a flag-raising ceremony held at the Consulate's premises last June 12.
Officers and staff of the Consulate, Assistant Labor Attache Venus N. Abad, head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), members of the Filipino Community Dubai-Northern Emirates, headed by Filipino community President Alan Bacason, friends and guests braved the early morning summer heat to attend the brief ceremony.
In his speech, the Consul General expressed his thanks to those in attendance, who showed up in their beautiful Filipiniana.
He also expressed gratitude to everyone in the Consulate under his leadership and mentioned that its success would not have been achieved without the enduring support by the Consulate's officers, staff, and members, and the entire Filipino community.
Vice Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza read President Benigno S. Aquino III's message while Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin read the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. The messages of the Tourism and Labor Secretaries were also read by their respective representatives.
After the program, a Filipino breakfast of pansit, pan de sal, sopas, and goto followed.
In the evening, the Consul General and selected officers and staff participated in the celebrations hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. END