6 July 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Chile reported had a fiesta gathering to celebrate the 112th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence last June 15 at the Embassy premises.
This year's celebration is especially important with the end of the tour of duty of Philippine Ambassador Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes.
In the morning, Ambassador Puyat-Reyes and Consul Paul Vincent Uy led the flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the national anthem at the Chancery grounds.
This was followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at the Embassy's reception area officiated by Filipino priests Fr. Ben Aleonar, SVD and Fr. Erwin Tom A. Esquejo, with Sister Justine Abache who played the music for the liturgy.
In his homily, Fr. Aleonar spoke of service to one's fellowman as it is intrinsically linked to salvation, and paid tribute to Ambassador Puyat-Reyes for her unwavering support for the Filipino community.
Towards the end of the mass, he invited community members to extend their hands towards the Ambassador and gave her their blessing.
Ambassador Puyat-Reyes then addressed the community about expressed how she would miss her work at the Embassy and the people with whom she had interacted with, and on how the Philippines gained prominence during her leadership specifically in the collective consciousness of Chile's leaders.
On behalf of the Filipino community, Brass Chile, S.A. President and General Manager and President of the first Association of Filipinos in Chile Roy Betinol thanked Ambassador Puyat-Reyes for her work in looking after the community and wished her all the best in her future endeavors.
Philippine Honorary Consul to Chile's Fifth Region Mrs. Ingeborg Gwinner followed suit and shared her sentiments and likewise wished the Ambassador good luck.
The Mass was followed by a lunch buffet featuring Filipino dishes. It was prepared by the Embassy's Administrative Officer Thelma Castillo, and ably assisted by Ms. Winnie Simbahan, Gabriela Avilez and Mr. Edgar Guinto.
In the afternoon, karaoke enthusiasts showcased their talents while others took the opportunity to sit among with friends. The event lasted well into the evening.
Later in the evening, the Embassy hosted a diplomatic reception at Hotel Sheraton-Santiago.
Members of the diplomatic corps, Chilean government hierarchy, representatives from the academe and the business sector, and friends attended the reception.
The occasion was unprecedented as two former Chilean Presidents, Eduardo Frey Ruiz-Tangle (to whom Ambassador Puyat-Reyes first presented her credentials) and Patricio Aylwin Azocar attended.
Aside from the regular members of the Diplomatic Corps, other guests included the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Commandant of the Carabineros de Chile (Chilean National Police), the ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Santiago Mayor.
Ambassador Puyat-Reyes thanked all those who were present during the reception, which showed the numerous friendships she had made over the course of stay in Chile.
In her speech, she bade farewell to the large crowd and assured them that she will always treasure their friendship and that she will be their Filipino friend forever.
Sister Justine Abache gave a rendition of Les Miserables' "On my Own" and "Sampaguita", a heart-stirring song about the Philippines' national flower.