20 July 2012- The Philippine Embassy in Bucharest celebrated the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence with a thanksgiving mass held on June 24 at the Cathedral Sfantul losif (St. Joseph Cathedral) in Bucharest.
This was the first time that a mass for the Filipino community was officiated by the Metropolitan Archbishop loan Robu of Bucharest.
The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Romanian priests Fr. Eduard Giurgi and Fr. Ioan Ciobanu. It was celebrated in the Romanian language but the English readings, Filipino hymns and offerings were done by the community and members of the Embassy. The Homily of Archbishop Robu was dedicated to the Filipinos in Romania who were mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in domestic employment.
Archbishop Robu said that the Filipino workers were motivated to go to Romania to work for their family in the Philippines. Their strong faith in the Lord will help them provide better life for their families through their work in Romania and to endure hardships and sacrifices. He reminded churchgoers to show their faith through love of country, family and creation (nature).
After the mass, Charge d'Affaires (CDA), a.i., Ms. Maria Fe T. Pangilinan thanked the Archbishop for celebrating the special mass. She said that it is under the House of God that all Christians (Catholics) no matter their nationalities feel united as members of the family of Christ. She encouraged the continuation of the monthly masses in order to maintain cohesion among Filipinos especially in Bucharest.
Although exclusively for the Filipino Community, special Romanian guests were invited to celebrate the event at the Auditorium: Archbishop Robu, former Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines Radu Homescu, Ms. Inginur Rustem, temporary CDA at the Romanian Embassy in Manila, Fr. Eduard Giurgi and Fr. Martin Cabalas.
The Philippine and Romanian national anthems were played at the opening of the celebration.
In his inspirational message, Archbishop Robu reminded everyone that the Filipino workers in Romania remain a special pastoral flock for the Romanian Catholic Church, and exhorted everyone to remain strong and steadfast in their faith and belief.
In her National Day remarks, CDA Pangilinan focused on the National Day theme, even as she also mentioned the special days celebrated in June: the Migrant Workers Day, birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal and the celebration of St. John the Baptist. She reminded that there is no independence without dignity - dignity of nationhood, dignity of worker, dignity of man, and that dignity comes with self-respect and integrity - which are also the thrusts of President Aquino's program "Daang Matuwid".
The Charge d' Affaires expressed her profound gratitude to the Catholic Church in Romania, Archbishop Robu, and Fr. Giurgi, Fr. Martin for their distinct contributions to the Filipino community, not just in unifying the people through the masses, but in openly committing to be a refuge to those in distress or in need of counseling.
Mr. Rouen Reyes, president of the lone Filipino Association in Romania, in turn paid tribute to the modern day Filipino heroesm, "the Overseas Filipino Workers". He asked that our "kababayans" should continue to have courage while working abroad and remain God-fearing.
Two Filipinos, Jasmine Dumitru and Jorgin Galindez, contributed a musical number singing "Ako ay Pilipino". The singing of this Filipino patriotic song had everyone quiet and pensive.
Around 180 Filipinos and foreign guests attended the celebration.
