18 June 2012- To commemorate the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia held a flag-raising ceremony at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Riyadh last June 12.
Filipino community leaders, teachers and officials of Philippine curriculum schools in Riyadh, joined the officials of the Embassy and attached services in simple rites.
Ms. Svetlana Khyn S. Sese, a senior student of International Philippine School in Riyadh led the singing of Lupang Hinirang followed by the Panunumpa sa Watawat led by a second year student of Riyadh International School, Jon Nelson S. de la Cruz.
Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago led the reading of messages, including the
inspirational message of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
First Secretary and Consul Pendosina Lomondot read the message of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.
Second Secretary and Consul Roussel Reyes delivered the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario while Third Secretary and Vice Consul Paulo V. Saret shared the message of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo.
The message of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz was read by Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano, followed by Welfare Officer Romeo Pablo who shared the message of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Carmelita Dimzon.
Mrs. Mae Galvez, the reigning champion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Singing Competition and a member of Philippine Embassy Ladies, entertained the audience with her rendition of Isang Lahi, popularized by Filipino singing icon Regine Velasquez.
Ambassador Tago also acknowledged the presence of the first two Filipino grantees of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz scholarship program for graduate levels.
Messrs Donald Remo C. Remo and Errol Esguera were admitted to the King Saud University for an Master's in Business Administration (MBA) degree. Both of them are working for the National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC). END
