FILIPINO COMMUNITY, LEBANESE OFFICIALS JOIN PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BEIRUT’S CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 

23 June 2006 – The Philippine Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Filipino Food Festival highlighted the  whole-day celebration of the  108^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on 11 June 2006 at  the historic UNESCO Palace, in Beirut. 

With the theme, "Pagkakaisa Para Sa Matatag Na Republika," the celebration commenced with the ribbon-cutting by Ambassador Al Francis C. Bichara and assisted by the Director of UNESCO Palace, Mr. Antoine Harb.  Also in attendance were Minister and Consul General Walter S. Salmingo, Second Secretary & Consul Marlowe A. Miranda, Protocol Officer Mr. German Monteras, Cultural Officer Ma. Victoria G. Panganiban, Labor Attaché Mrs. Ma. Glenda Manalo other Embassy staff and members of the Filipino community. The Ambassador thereafter opened the Food Festival that featured different delicacies from different regions in the Philippines and a Mini Bazaar of various Philippine products. 

Rev. Fr. Agustin Advincula, the only Filipino Priest in Lebanon, officiated the Eucharistic Celebration. It was followed by the much-anticipated cultural presentation that showcased Filipino folk dances, songs and a Flores de Mayo featuring Filipiniana costumes modeled by 10 selected Filipinas in Lebanon and their consorts. The Embassy also awarded certificates of appreciation to the different Filipino community leaders in Lebanon and plaques of appreciation to the Ministry of Culture and Western Union as well as a plaque of recognition to Caritas-Lebanon. An estimated crowd of 1,500 guests attended the festivities and were one on saying that the event was a huge success and they were looking forward to another spectacular celebration next year. 

On 12 June 2006,  Ambassador Bichara and the Embassy officers and staff attended the National Day reception hosted by Mr. Fadi Debahy, Philippine Honorary Consul in Damascus, at the poolside of Cham Palace Hotel which was attended by around 250 members of the diplomatic and consular corps, international organizations, Syrian government officials, prominent families in Damascus and businessmen. 

On 13 June 2006, the Embassy hosted the National Day reception at the Riviera Hotel attended by members of diplomatic and consular corps, international organizations, Lebanese high government officials, businessmen, and leaders of different Filipino community organizations. The Lebanese president, H.E. General Emile Lahoud, was represented by H.E. Yacoub al Sarraf,  Minister of Environment; the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Fouad Siniora was represented by H.E. Joe Sarkis, Minister of Tourism; and H.E. Mr. Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Parliament, was represented by H.E. Yasin Jaber, Member of Parliament.