27 February 2013 –The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles commemorated the 27th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with the theme “Pilipinas Natin, Abot Tanaw Na” with a flag-raising ceremony which was held before the opening of the regular hour of consular services at the Public Hall of the Consulate General on February 25.

Consul General Maria Hellen B. De La Vega asked the public to join the Philippine Consulate General in singing the Philippine National Anthem.

A tarpaulin with various images of EDSA People Power Revolution was displayed at the said Hall.

The video documentaries EDSA 1986-Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo Part I & II by Jim Paredes, Ninoy: The Heart and the Soul, and Puso at Diwa Ni Ninoy were played through the whole day and viewed by the Consulate’s public-clientele while waiting for the completion of the respective consular services they availed of.

As part of its commemoration, the Consulate General, in cooperation with the Overseas Filipinos for Good Governance (OFGG), also held a Mass celebrated by Fr. Manny Gacad at St. Kevin in Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles.  

The Mass was attended by various Filipino-American associations and media in Southern California.

In the middle of the altar, a picture of late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino III with an imprint “The Filipinos is Worth Dying For” was displayed.

It was concluded with a public singing of “Bayan Ko.”

After the Mass, a short program was presented which included the remarks of Consul General De La Vega; a five-minute video presentation of EDSA 1986-Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo; brief testimonial of OFGG Board Director Andrea Aquino, who is also a cousin of Ninoy Aquino; and closing remarks by the OFGG President Romy Baylon.

In her remarks, Consul General De La Vega announced the good news of the signing by President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013. She shared information on the robust growth of the Philippine economy propped up by household spending, low inflation and remittances from millions of Filipino overseas workers. She also highlighted the importance of the recent approval of the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Plan by President Aquino III to address key open governance and transparency issues.

Finally, Consul General De La Vega encouraged the Filipino communities in Southern California to re-live the spirit of EDSA People’s Power of 1986 by being united, living a life of virtue, and loving our country by sparing no sacrifice at the service of her good and welfare. END