13 July 2012 - The Philippine Embassy in Pakistan, led by Ambassador Jesus I. Yabes, and the Filipino community started off the commemoration of the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence by celebrating a morning mass at the Fatima Church in Islamabad on June 10. The service was co-organized by the Embassy and the Filipino community, with Filipino nuns from the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Congregation readily assisting.
After the mass, Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino community, headed by Ms. Grace Shaikh, held a flag-raising ceremony at the Philippine Chancery. This was followed by the reading of the messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III by Ambassador Yabes and that of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Conrado B. Demdem, Jr.
Special guests included Mian Fazal Elahi, publisher and chief executive officer (CEO) of one of Pakistan's leading expat magazines, Diplomatic Focus, and personnel from the United States Embassy.
The Filipino community and other guests were treated to a wonderful feast celebrating Filipino dishes that included adobong manok, Bistek Tagalog, lechong paksiw, and pancit bihon. After the gastronomic experience, they were regaled by Filipino talents, performing folk and modern Filipino dances and songs. Trivia games relating to Philippine history were also played to invite audience participation and maintain the festive mood.
On Independence Day itself, the Embassy held a diplomatic reception at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, with Pakistani Federal Minister for Capital Administration and Development Nazar Mohammad Gondal attending as guest of honor.
Diplomats, dignitaries and government officials felicitated the Philippines on the occasion. Filipino expatriates, including those working for various United Nations organs in Pakistan, showed up in their elegant barongs, colorful ternos, and, in the case of a small contingent from the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), in their gala uniform. Philippine Honorary Consul in Lahore Rizwan Fareed also took part in the celebration.
After the arrival of the chief guest, Federal Minister Gondal, and his party, the national anthems of the Philippines and Pakistan were played and sung with solemnity. Ambassador Yabes and Federal Minister Gondal then performed the ceremonial cutting of the cake to symbolize the abiding friendship between the Philippines and Pakistan. They were joined by the Heads of Mission of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan.
