SUCCESS MARKS THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN XIAMEN

14 June 2006 — Consul General Emelinda Lee-Pineda of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, People’s Republic of China reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Consulate has successfully organized a week-long series of events at the SM Mall in Jinjiang on 11 June 2006 to mark the 108^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

Consul General Pineda said that the celebrations commenced at the Mall with the traditional singing of the Philippine National Anthem.  This was followed by the reading of the Independence Day messages of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

The Consul General added that Jinjiang Mayor Yang Yi Min also delivered a message in which he extended, on behalf of the people of Jinjiang, “warm greetings on the occasion of the Philippines' National Day,” and expressed hope that “the ties between the Philippines and China will usher in new dimensions.”

After the messages were read, the teachers of the Manila-Xiamen International School rendered a short cultural presentation.  This was followed by brunch for members of the Filipino community.

Meanwhile, Consul General Pineda hosted a luncheon for the officials of the Jinjiang and Quanzhou municipal governments, the Fujian Provincial People’s Government and the supporters of the celebration, which included Mr. Hans Sy of the SM Group of Companies.

The Consul General remarked that this was the first time that Independence Day was commemorated outside the premises of the Consulate.  “The anniversary was held in Jinjiang so that Filipinos from 19 cities outside Xiamen can be part of the event. As a result, an estimated 260 to 300 Filipinos and guests attended the commemorations,” Consul General Pineda said.

Aside from the Mayor of Jinjiang, officials from the Jinjiang Tourism Bureau and Trade Bureau, and the Foreign Affairs Offices of Fujian, Quanzhou and Jinjiang attended the event.

The week-long series of events – another first for the Consulate – to mark Philippine Independence Day included a photo exhibit of the history of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, daily raffle draws and evening performances by Filipino musicians.

“On 16 June 2006, there will be a Filipino food festival at a Filipino-owned restaurant in the Mall.  Furthermore, the Philippine Department of Tourism – Beijing has set up a booth to promote Philippine tourism for the entire week, with members of the Filipino community volunteering to man the booth and entertain inquiries,”  the Consul General stated.

She added that at the end of the week, Bench will present a fashion show, and the Department of Tourism – Beijing will be giving away a three-day/two-night stay in Boracay for two persons at the grand raffle draw.  The Xiamen-Manila-Xiamen plane tickets were donated by China Southern Airlines while Philippine Airlines provided the tickets for the domestic flights.

In the afternoon of the opening day, the Consulate General conducted a registration for Overseas Absentee Voting and rendered consular services at a designated area at the Mall. Fifty Filipinos registered as overseas absentee voters, the Consulate’s highest turnout in a single day thus far.  END

/epa