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FILIPINOS IN LATIN AMERICA TAKE PART IN 108th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
16 June 2006 – The Philippine Embassy in Caracas reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy and the Filipino communities in Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Aruba organized several activities to commemorate the 108th Independence Day.
The Embassy kicked-off its Independence Day celebration with Ambassador Ronald B. Allarey promoting the Philippines in a radio program entitled, “Ciudadanos del Mundo” hosted by Ms. Milagros Camacho and aired over Emisora Cultural de Caracas at 97.7 FM on 04 June 2006.
On 07 June, the Embassy hosted a Vin d’Honneur at Caracas Quinta Verde which was attended by about 200 guests composed of Venezuelan government officials, diplomats, officials of international governmental and non-governmental organizations, members of the Venezuelan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Andean and Latin American Parliaments, Venezuela-Philippines Center for International Cooperation, business and media sectors.
In a parallel activity, the Embassy dispatched a team to Puerto Cabello headed by Consul Lilybeth Deapera for a wreath-laying ceremony at Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust located in the city’s Plaza de la Fraternidad. The guests included representatives from the Mayor’s office, staff of the Honorary Consulate, members of the consular corps, shipping agents and the media. The team also took advantage of the occasion to conduct overseas absentee voting registration as well as extend consular services to Filipino seafarers.
The Filipino Association of Trinidad and Tobago led by its president Ms. Isabel Dupres organized a beach picnic at Chaguaramos near the capital on 10 June 2006 that was attended by a large number of Filipino medical workers on the island. Dr. Marie Magno-Advani, Philippine Honorary Consul, delivered an inspirational talk to the members of the group.
In Aruba, members of the United Filipino community headed by its president Mr. Artemio Bello gathered at the Wilhelmina Park in Oranjestad for a floral offering at the Princess Wilhelmina statue followed by a toast at the Fort Zoutman history museum. Attaché Emmanuel Saluta represented the Embassy and read the messages of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Alberto Romulo. A cultural night featuring Filipino music, dances and culinary delights was held at the City One located in the capital’s Sasakiweg section. Aruban government participation was led by Senator Dirk Dumfries.
Ambassador Allarey said that on 18 June 2006, a commemorative program, which includes flag-raising ceremony, Eucharistic celebration and reading of Independence Day messages, for the members of the Filipino community and friends in Venezuela will be held at the Embassy premises. The festivity will be capped by a salu-salo lunch featuring Filipino dishes. END
/epa