SF CONSULATE HOSTS 108^th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

16 June 2006—Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez and the Philippine Consulate General Team in San Francisco hosted a reception in honor of the 108th anniversary of Philippine Independence at the California Academy of Sciences at 875 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA.

The event was graced by members of the Consular Corps, officials from the State of California and the Mayor’s office in San Francisco, VIPs from the Philippines, Filipino-American community members and many others. It is estimated that a crowd of at least four hundred trooped to the temporary location of the Academy which is renovating its facilities in Golden Gate Park.

The event included presentations of several proclamations by City and State officials either personally or through a designated representative. State Senator Jackie Speier, Speaker Pro Tempore Leland Yee, Congressman Wally Herger, Assemblyman Gene Mullin, all presented the Philippine Consulate General with proclamations or Certificates of Recognition in honor of the Nation’s special day.

Consul General Sanchez extolled in her remarks the economic gains made by the country and its vast potential, “The Philippine economy posted excellent growth and grew 5.1% in 2005 while the Philippine Business Process Outsourcing industry is achieving tremendous growth registering over $2.5 billion in sales.”

She also cited the contributions of the Filipino-American community to the Motherland. “Contributing to the robust growth of the Philippine economy are the remittances of our overseas Filipinos. In 2005, total remittance to the Philippines from overseas Filipinos was over $12.8 billion, nearly 60% of which came from kababayans in the US.”

“Filipino Americans have made significant contributions to both the Philippine and American economies,” she added.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and former Congressman, now President of the Philippine Olympic Committee Jose “Peping” Cojuangco graced the affair. The Senate President thanked the Filipino-American community for their continuing support for the Motherland while the former Congressman asked that Filipinos continue to support our athletes competing in international events.

The evening also featured several cultural presentations from various art groups such as the Sining Palawan Dance Troupe from Palawan State University, the Tradicion Rondalla, the Fil-Am Veterans’ Rondalla, and the Philippine Consulate General Choir. END

/epa