25 June 2012- The Philippine Embassy in Ankara celebrated the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence with the theme "Kalayaan 2012: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan" with a series of commemorative events held at the Chancery from June 12 to 17.
The 2012 Independence Day celebrations kicked off with a festive start on June 12 with a flag-raising ceremony and breakfast reception for Embassy officers and staff, their dependents and Filipino Community members from Ankara.
The flag ceremony and reception were led by Ambassador Alarilla at the Chancery grounds which was participated in by around 20 members of the Filipino community in Ankara, Embassy officers and staff and their dependents.
The singing of the Philippine national anthem was led by Mrs. Vivian Bajarin-Laurel, followed by the recitation of the Oath of Allegiance (Panunumpa sa Watawat). Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Marilyn J. Alarilla read the Independence Day message of President Benigno S. Aquino III, while Second Secretary and Consul Leilani S. Feliciano read the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario.
Guests enjoyed a veritable feast of traditional Filipino breakfast of chicken adobo, baked fish, lumpiang shanghai, pancit sotanghon, puto and bico, chicken tocino, fried chicken, sautéed corned beef, scrambled eggs, fried rice and coffee.
The Embassy likewise showcased the Philippines' tourism campaign "It's More Fun in the Philippines" for guests who viewed videos on Philippine tourism sites while partaking of the breakfast.
On June 17 at 11 a.m., the Embassy held a successful diplomatic reception for the Heads of Missions/Ambassadors, Deputy Chiefs of Mission, and other members of the diplomatic community, officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (TMFA), business chambers, the academe and media, and Philippine Honorary Consuls from Mersin and Gaziantep.
Ambassador Alarilla delivered a speech before the diplomatic corps during the diplomatic reception held at the Embassy's Rizal Function Hall.
During the reception, a video of Philippine scenic destinations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao was viewed by guests. Philippine tourism brochures and information bulletins on the Philippine economic performance and prospects entitled "The Philippines Emphasizes Good Governance as Growth Driver" Primer were likewise distributed to the guests.
The guests enjoyed a sumptuous banquet of authentic Filipino cuisine of Chicken Adobo, Beef Caldereta, Baked Fish, Fresh Lumpia, Lumpiang Shanghai, Vegetable Okoy, Chicken Salad with Red Beets, Pancit Sotanghon, Rice and Filipino desserts like Bico and Maja Blanca.
Immediately after the diplomatic reception, the Embassy, in close cooperation with members of the Filipino community in Ankara, held the equally successful joint fiesta celebration with a cultural program, children's games, and a commemorative holy mass at the Embassy premises with close to 180 participants, composed of Embassy officers, staff and their dependents, Ankara Filipino community members, Filipino workers from other Turkish provinces such as Istanbul, Aksaray, Samsun, Gaziantep and Kutahya, the Philippine Honorary Consuls/Consuls General of Mersin and Gaziantep, Turkish and expatriate friends of the Embassy, several members of diplomatic corps in Ankara, and Turkish employers of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
A sumptuous banquet of food courtesy of the Philippine Embassy and potluck contributions by the Filipino community in Ankara were enjoyed by the guests before the cultural program.
Ambassador Alarilla delivered a special message to the Ankara Filipino community and guests before the commencement of the cultural program. She explained the programs and projects of President Aquino and the activities of the Embassy for the past year including conferences with various Chambers of Commerce in Turkey and the organization for the Filipino community of meetings with Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG Fund officials.
The program was hosted by Consul Feliciano and Ms. Rina Ranada, a Filipino Research Specialist at Hacettepe University in Ankara.
The cultural program started with four Filipino young girls dancing "Paru-Parung Bukid" which captured the attention of the guests. The other Filipino folk dances performed during the program included the world-renowned "Tinikling," "Igorot Dance," "Polka Bal," "Kappa Malong," "Binasuan," "Salakot," and "Bakya" which were executed by the Ankara Filipino community members and Embassy dependents with their colorful Filipino attire and with grace and enthusiasm.
Consul Feliciano and selected Filipino community members in Ankara, who form the Meryem Ana Catholic Church Choir, prepared special musical presentations and performed a medley of Philippine regional songs, a George Canseco medley and a medley of Philippine national songs.
Other program highlights included solo song numbers and a song and skit number portraying the travails of overseas Filipinos who remain loyal to family and country in spite of the emotional and psychological effects of being away from family, relatives and friends.
Parlor games for children were led by Cultural Officer Vivian Laurel and participated in by the Embassy and the Ankara Filipino community children as well as children from other nationalities. Prizes of bags of candies and chocolates were enjoyed by the participants.
A holy mass was conducted after the games. This was officiated by Fr. Jean Marc Balhan, S.J. of the Azize Therese Ana Catholic Church in Ankara.
During the mass, Fr. Balhan gave a meaningful homily and enjoined Filipinos to celebrate Independence Day activities with pride and honor. He gave a special blessing to Ambassador Alarilla, Embassy officers and staff and the entire Filipino community in Ankara.