GOVPH

PH EMBASSY IN VIETNAM COMMEMORATES PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE WITH A FLAG RAISING CEREMONY WITH THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY

PH EMBASSY IN VIETNAM COMMEMORATES PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE WITH A FLAG RAISING CEREMONY WITH THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY

The Philippine Embassy in Vietnam hosted a flag-raising ceremony and an open house cocktail reception in commemoration of the 124^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2022 at the Embassy grounds. It was attended by the members of the Filipino community in Vietnam and officials of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.

            The program commenced with a symbolic re-enactment of the 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite where Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre waived the Philippine flag at the balcony of the Philippine Embassy.

Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre with Col. Ulysses Mancao, Defense Attaché during the re-enactment 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite

It was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the reading of messages from Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

            A newly erected bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Embassy grounds was also unveiled as part of the inauguration of the Sentro Rizal Hanoi on 21 June 2022.

The unveiling of the Jose Rizal Bust as part of the inauguration of Sentro Rizal Hanoi on 21 June 2022

Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy

In his message to the Filipino community, Ambassador Montealegre highlighted the lessons and challenges that the overseas Filipinos have overcome during the pandemic. He expressed his appreciation for the assistance extended by the Filipino community in Vietnam to the Philippine Embassy and to their fellow Filipinos during the pandemic. Ambassador Montealegre conveyed his hope of a promising future with the unwavering support from the Filipino community in Vietnam.

Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre together with the Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino community in Vietnam

The ceremony evoked the patriotic emotions of the guests from the Filipino community. They recalled the hardships that they had to endure for the past two years of the pandemic and their journey in Vietnam. Some of the guests could not help but express their positive comments after seeing the physical improvements at the Embassy and the warm reception that were given to them.

Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre during his welcome remarks 

"We felt at home, and we are happy to have been invited for this occasion. It is great to see so many improvements at the Embassy," according to one Filipino who attended the event.

            Ambassador Montealegre also thanked the two staff of the Philippine Embassy who will be finishing their tour of duties for their sterling contribution to the Filipinos. He also introduced the newly arrived officer and staff to the Filipino community.

            The guests then shared customary Filipino snacks of ensaymada, sapin-sapin, empanada and coffee after the short program. Filipino performers provided a musical entertainment featuring Original Filipino Music that has kept a festive atmosphere.