20 June 2012- The Philippine Embassy in Jordan, together with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Amman, celebrated the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Chancery with the theme, "Kalayaan 2012: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan" last June 12.
The celebration began with the raising of the Philippine flag on the Embassy rooftop, followed by a short program on the Embassy grounds, where the Independence Day messages of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, and President Benigno S. Aquino III were read by Welfare Officer and POLO OIC Mario Antonio, Second Secretary Raul C. Abrico, and Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, respectively.
A holy mass, officiated by Rev. Paul Mankowsky of the Sacred Heart of Parish, Amman, and Fr. Michael Montoya, followed.
The program was capped by a song number each from a group of OWWA wards and the Embassy staff.
A simple breakfast, consisting of pancit, Spanish bread and other Filipino delicacies, was then shared by the Embassy staff and their families, together with the leaders and members of the various Filipino community organizations in Jordan.
Last June 8, the Filipino community held its own Independence Day celebration with a grand dinner and program at the Landmark Hotel in Amman.
The event was organized by the Federation of Filipino Organizations in Jordan (FilOrg) headed by Ms. Evangeline Ybo
The Embassy participated in the celebration in support of FilOrg's initiatives.
The celebration included the 5th Anniversary Celebration of FilOrg, the induction of the new set of officers of the different Filipino organizations in Jordan, and the search for "Ms. Fil-Org 2012." END