SFA-AGR-101-08

Philippine Embassy, Pretoria commemorates

22^nd Anniversary of 1986 EDSA rEVOLUTION

28 February 2008 — Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria commemorated the 22^nd anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution with a flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy on 26 February followed by a reading by the Ambassador of “Reaffirming the Vision: A Community at Peace, A Nation in Progress” by Commissioner Alex R. Magno of the EDSA People Power Commission. 

Ambassador Reyes led Embassy officers, staff, and their families in the singing of the National Anthem during the flag-raising ceremony.  This was followed by the singing of “Ako Ay Pilipino” and the reading by the Ambassador of the hortatory piece by Commissioner Magno on the importance of the continued commemoration of the 1986 People Power revolution. 

Ambassador Reyes also spoke of the need for self-examination on what the 1986 revolution personally meant to each of the members of Post, how it changed their lives, and how to promote its ideals. 

The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a breakfast of sandwiches and coffee at the Embassy. 

On 25 February, the Ambassador, accompanied by Minister and Consul General Renato L. Villapando and several Embassy staff-members, attended the violin-piano partnership concert by Filipina pianist Mariel Ilusorio and Chilean violinist Juan Luis Muñoz at the University of Johannesburg. 

At the concert, Ms. Ilusorio thanked Ambassador Reyes and Post representatives for their attendance.  The Ambassador presented the traditional bouquet to Ms. Ilusorio after the concert.  In a short speech, Ambassador Reyes noted the providence of having the concert on the 22^nd anniversary of the EDSA revolution, and spoke of the Philippines’ pride at Ms. Ilusorio as an outstanding representative in the field of music in South Africa.  END

/wingret