A film showing the State of the Nation Address (SONA 2018) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez shares with the Filipino community the latest good news in the Philippines, speaks on the state of media freedom and clarifies tax reform measures, issue of inflation and other economic-related matters in the country

L L to R: (1st row) a son of Mr. and Mrs. Dondon Farrales;
(2nd row) Cultural Officer Ms. Imelda de Joya, Finance Officer Mr. Marden Garduque, song contestants and 1st prize winner Ms. Evangeline Carigma, 2nd prize winner Ms. Kishi Mae Generalao, 3rd prize winner Mrs. Marissa Daniszewska, consolation prize winner Ms. Edelisa Ortega and Ambassador Paez

WARSAW__The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw commemorated National Heroes Day with the Filipino community in Poland and showed short films featuring the 2017 accomplishments of the Duterte administration and President Duterte’s 2018 State of the Nation Address (SONA) as well as by staging a “Makabayang Awitin” singing contest showcasing Philippine patriotic songs.
During her remarks, Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez shared the latest “good news” about the Philippines and briefly discussed the government’s tax reform measures, inflation, and other related issues.
Referring to tax reform, the envoy stressed that there are always tradeoffs in life such as with Philippine national life. She elaborated that if the Filipinos want modern infrastructure facilities and free tertiary education which among the major initiatives of the Duterte government., they must be prepared to pay taxes. This is especially now that there is an assurance that their taxes will be well spent in light of President Duterte’s unrelenting campaign against the scourge of graft and corruption. She also clarified that inflation or the rising cost of prices in the country is indicative of the Filipinos’ increasing purchasing power brought about by the significant and sustained growth of the economy as well as by external factors which are beyond the control of the administration such as the increase in oil prices and the growing strength of the US dollar to which the Philippine peso is pegged.
Amb. Paez also urged the members of the Filipino community to register at the Embassy so they could vote in next year’s election and for them to apply for”same day-issued” Embassy ID cards.
The envoy also drew the Filipino community’s attention to the Embassy’s ongoing exhibit on Philippine history entitled “Philippines: The Making of A Nation.” The exhibit spotlights the Filipinos’ struggle for independence and features Gat Andres Bonifacio and the Kilusang Katipunan and national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
Some members of the Filcom joined the “Makabayang Awitin” singing contest where cash prizes were given to the winners as well as to the rest of the participants.
The National Heroes Day is a national holiday that aims to honor Filipinos who have fought for and contributed to the country’s freedom and independence.
The Official Gazette of the Philippines wrote a meaningful passage in defining who are the national heroes and what is the National Heroes Day:
“Our national heroes are often portrayed as a pantheon of distinct and powerful personalities who have managed to get their names published in our history books by virtue of their words or actions. But National Heroes Day specifies no hero; the law that put into practice the celebration does not name a single one. And this lack of specifics offers an opportunity to celebrate the bravery of not one, not a few, but all Filipino heroes who have braved death or persecution for home, nation, justice, and freedom.”
The Embassy also opened its door anew for the registration of overseas Filipinos in Poland and netted 28 newly-registered OFWs.
There was a lunchtime “salo-salo” of simple Philippine dishes during the “pulong-bayan” (“community meeting”) which the Embassy holds at least once or twice a month for the members of the Filipino community. (END)