20 July 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Caracas marked the 112th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a month-long celebration with the Filipino communities, as well as the diplomatic and consular corps.
The celebrations began with Philippine Honorary Consul for Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Marie Francisca Magno-Advani and husband Kishore Advani hosting a cocktail reception on June 4 at their residence in Diego Martin.
The event was attended by Trinidad and Tobago government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from the business and private sector, and members of the Filipino community.Dr. Advani read the Independence Day messages of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, and Ambassador to Venezuela Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia.
On June 12, Charge d' Affaires Jose A.P. Ampeso led Embassy officers and staff in a flag-raising ceremony at the Chancery.
On 13 June, the Embassy hosted a buffet Filipino dinner for the Filipino community in the greater Caracas area.
The celebrations started with the singing of the national anthem, followed by the reading of the Independence Day messages of President Arroyo and Secretary Romulo.
Ambassador Batoon-Garcia graced the flag- raising ceremony at the Princess Wilhelmina Park in Oranjestad, Aruba on June 12.
The event was hosted by Philippine Honorary Consul in Aruba, Ami Ofelia Mendez-Henriquez.
Ambassador Batoon-Garcia's Independence Day message was followed by Aruba Prime Minister Michael Eman's stirring message praising the contributions of Filipinos in the country, in the presence of several members of his Cabinet and a dozen members of Parliament led by Aruban President Andy Lee, members of the consular corps, Aruban businessmen and the Filipino community.
The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a luncheon at the historic Fort Zoutman.
An afternoon beach party was organized on the same day by the United Filipino Community in Aruba (UFILCOA), headed by its president Ricky Peralta.
This was followed by an evening get-together was hosted by the Filipino Community in Aruba (FILCA), led by its president Joel Alcantara.
In both events, Ambassador Batoon-Garcia conveyed the messages of President Arroyo and Secretary Romulo.
On June 19-20, the Embassy celebrated Philippine Independence with the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Guanare, Venezuela.
Minister and Consul General Ampeso attended the Philippine Independence Day celebrations of the Filipino community in the French collectivity of Saint Martin, and Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles on June 19.
The celebrations were graced by President of the Territorial Council Frantz Gumbs in Saint Martin, and Acting Lieutenant Governor Reynold Groeneveldt, Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson, and Member of Parliament Patricil Illidge of the Ministry of Health in Sint Maarten.
Minister Ampeso delivered his Independence Day message and extended the greetings of the Philippine Government to the leaders of these territories.
In turn, both leaders conveyed their warm felicitations on the country's celebration of independence and extolled the contributions of Filipinos in Saint Martin and Sint Maarten.
The Minister also touched base with the company employers of FW Vlaun and Son and St. Maarten Medical Center. He was accompanied by the officers of the Filipino Community Association of Saint Maarten.
During three separate casual dinners, Ambassador Batoon-Garcia and Minister Ampeso warmly welcomed members of the diplomatic corps in Caracas. END