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P R E S S R E L E A S E |
RP FOREIGN SERVICE POSTS
IN U.S. LEAD EDSA ANNIVERSARY RITES;
LAUNCH INITIATIVE FOR
STRENGTHENING OF FIL-AM LINKAGES
8 March 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert Del Rosario led the EDSA Day 19th Anniversary Celebrations organized and hosted by the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco on 25 February 2005 for the Filipino community by launching the “Filipino American Community Resource List” and the “First Ambassador’s and Consuls’ General Tour to the Philippines”.
Initiated by the Philippine Foreign Posts in the U.S. and handled by Consul General Maria Rowena Sanchez and Consul J. Eduardo Malaya, the resource directory aims to strengthen current linkages and inspire the development of new ones for the benefit of the Filipino American community and those in the Philippines.
Ambassador Del Rosario invited the guests to join him and the Philippine Consuls General in the U.S. to visit the country’s top tourist destinations, including an opportunity to visit Malacanang Palace and meet with President Arroyo.
Guests consisting of members of the academe, media and leaders of the Filipino community flocked to the EDSA Day Celebration held at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center Building, where they were welcomed by Consul General Sanchez. In her opening remarks, the Consul General stressed the importance of the event, saying that that in line with the vision and mission statements of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Service is committed to support the programs and projects of the Philippine Government for the development of the country.
Mr. Rene Ciria Cruz of Pacific
News Service and Filipinas Magazine, Professor Joaquin Gonzales, Coordinator
of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program of the University of San Francisco;
and Mr. Rodel Rodis, President of the City College of San Francisco’s Board
of Trustees were also invited to share their experiences during the EDSA
Revolution. They recounted how they Filipino people regained their freedom
peacefully when they deported a dictator. They also said that the EDSA
Revolution of 1986 was significant in changing the image of the Filipinos
around the world, making them empowered politically, socially and economically.
END
/jay