8 July 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Canberra organized events to celebrate the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
The celebrations began with a Vin d'Honneur held at the Ambassador's residence on June 11, and ended with a flag-raising ceremony with the Filipino community at the Embassy grounds on June 13. Around 100 guests from the Diplomatic Corps in Canberra and Australian Government attended the Vin d'Honneur hosted by Philippine Ambassador Ernesto H. De Leon.In his remarks at the reception, Ambassador De Leon commended Australia for being on the Philippines' side on its journey to full sovereignty. He highlighted the numerous inroads made in Philippine-Australia ties in the past several years.
These include exchange of high-level visits, the signing of the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), and the conduct of regular bilateral consultative mechanisms such as the Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM) and fruitful cooperation in regional and international fora.
"In its journey to full sovereignty, the Philippines had on its side its partners in the family of nations, including Australia. The annals of history tell us that the dynamic interaction between the Philippines and Australia began even before the formalization of ties," the Ambassador said.
Stating that "the heart of the Philippines-Australia friendship is in our people," Ambassador De Leon also thanked the Australian Government and people for the hospitality and level treatment accorded to the increasing number of Filipino workers in the country.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chief of Protocol Anne Plunkett delivered a toast on behalf of the Australian Government at the event. Other officials from the Australian Defense Force, Navy and Airforce were also in attendance.
On June 13, Ambassador De Leon welcomed members of the Filipino community in Canberra to "a celebration of the past, the present and the future of a nation firmly anchored on the ideals of democracy and freedom" during the flag-raising organized by the Embassy.
Aside from the flag-raising ceremony itself, the program included the reading of the Independence Day messages of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Labor and Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque by Embassy officials; the oath taking and awarding of certificates of dual citizenship to Ms. Perpetua Tagalog and Ms. Victoria Pamilar; and the posthumous awarding of the Philippine Liberation Medal on Mr. William David Hart who participated in the Leyte landings in 1944 to 1945.
"With the raising of the flag, we re-enacted a snippet from that historic moment when General Aguinaldo unfurled the first Philippine flag from his home's balcony in Kawit, Cavite and declared the birth of a new nation," Ambassador De Leon said in his remarks to the community.
The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for the participation of his kababayans in the meaningful ceremony.
"Your presence is indeed a testament of your love and concern for our motherland, the Philippines. Indeed, a Filipino is a Filipino wherever he may be," he said.
A simple salu-salo, with pancit molo and puto on the menu, capped the ceremony.
In addition to these events, Embassy officials also attended a special Mass to celebrate Philippine Independence Day at St. Peter's Chanel on June 13; the 112th Philippine Independence Day Ball organized by the Filipino Community Council of the ACT, Inc. (FCCACT) on June 12; and 'An Evening of Beauty, Music and Dancing' organized by the Philippine Cultural Society on June 19. END