122nd Anniversary of PH Independence Commemorated With Week-Long Virtual Celebration in Warsaw
Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz leads the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw in celebrating Philippine Independence. (Warsaw PE photo)
WARSAW 19 June 2020 — The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw celebrated the 122nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence through a series of activities which were shared with the public through its online platforms.
The week-long program kicked off on 08 June 2020 with the posting of various videos from Philippine cultural institutions on topics ranging from Philippine history, arts, cuisine, and fauna, to tourism promotion of different Philippine islands and provinces.
On 12 June 2020, the Embassy shared video messages on Philippine Independence from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz. The official celebration held in Manila was also livestreamed on the Embassy’s Facebook page.
The week-long program culminated in a flag raising ceremony held at the Embassy grounds on 14 June 2020, which was livestreamed to the public and members of the Filipino community in Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine.
In her Independence Day Message, Ambassador Ruiz stressed that this year’s theme “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan, at Ligtas” highlighted the modern-day heroism of Filipinos all over the world today who, despite facing extreme difficulties and grave danger, remained strong, resilient, united and committed to help one another heal and overcome in the true Bayanihan spirit.
While the Filipino community in Poland could not join the Embassy personnel in the flag-raising ceremony followed by the traditional salu-salo, their representatives were invited to participate in the Talakayan sa Embahada Online, a first virtual dialogue with Embassy officials to discuss issues of concern and be informed about initiatives to assist Filipinos affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as share ideas for future collaboration in the context of the “new normal”. END
Promotional materials for the Embassy’s week-long program
Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz (foremost, second from left) leads the Embassy officers and staff and family members in a flag raising ceremony held on Sunday, 14 June 2020, at the Chancery in Warsaw. (Warsaw PE photo)
Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz (top left) delivers her welcome remarks to open the Talakayan sa Embahada Online, with the following participants: Consul General Mardomel Celo Melicor (3rd row, left), Consul Alena Grace Borra (2nd row, right) and representatives of the Filipino community in Poland: Ms. Lyka Ranes-Mitoraj (1st row, middle), Fr. Herbie Canete (1st row, right), Mr. Dondon Farrales (2nd row, left), Ms. Aileen Dihayco-Skrzydelski (2nd row, middle) and Ms. Sheila Dublin (3rd row, right).
