1 March 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Paris celebrated the 27th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. Due to inclement weather, a flag ceremony was held inside the Embassy and a simple photo montage that highlighted important events during the EDSA People Power Revolution was exhibited on February 25.
Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina G. Ortega led the rights.
The Embassy was also graced by the presence of Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and his wife Nenette.
Secretary Coloma is in Paris to speak before the World Summit on Information Society Review at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters.
Ambassador Ortega hailed today’s event as a “testimony to the resilience and strength of the Filipino people to uphold liberty and democracy at all cost”. The Ambassador also emphasized the substance and great meaning for all Filipinos of what the late Senator Benigno Aquino said, that “the Filipino is worth dying for.” The Ambassador also thanked the leaders of various Filipino communities in Paris for having visited the exhibit on Sunday.
Secretary Coloma, in his brief remarks, highlighted the theme of this year’s People Power Anniversary, Pilipinas Natin: Pangarap Abot Tanaw (Our Philippines: Our Dreams for Our Country are within Sight and within Reach) and spoke about how President Benigno S. Aquino III’s reform agenda has brought about significant change to the country.
The Secretary underscored the importance of the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the President which aims to alleviate poverty and the education of children. He also talked about the recent creation of the 15-member Transition Commission to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the signing of the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 which recognizes the heroism and sacrifices of Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986.
After the event, Ambassador Ortega hosted breakfast for the Secretary and for Embassy officials and personnel. END