June 12

To commemorate the 115th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria held a reception and a flag-raising ceremony on June 11 and 12 respectively in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Themed “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran,” the Independence Day reception took place at the Ladi Kwali Ballroom of the Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers, while the flag-raising ceremony followed by a Filipino breakfast was held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja as well as guests from both the government and private sectors.

In short his speech during the reception, Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid conveyed the felicitations of President Benigno S. Aquino III, and highlighted the economic and political gains achieved by the Aquino Administration, particularly the significant reduction of poverty and the hefty increase in the Philippine GDP, which are directly attributable to President Aquino’s espousal of the daang matuwid or good governance particularly through the fight against all forms of corruption. Ambassador Lamadrid invited Nigerians and other esteemed guests to visit the Philippines and explore trade and investment opportunities in Asia’s fastest growing economy.

In line with the annual tradition that has been observed by the Philippine mission in Nigeria during the past few years, a colorful show of songs and dances was prepared and presented during the reception by the staff of the Philippine embassy and supported by members of the Filipino community, most of whom are Overseas Filipino Workers who had enthusiastically volunteered their time and energy during the past few months to get ready for the event.

In a tightly choreographed 45-minute program, the Philippine Embassy and Filipino community members presented traditional dances including Maglalatik, Bulaklakan, La Jota Moncadena, Pandango sa Ilaw, Subli and Singkil, interspersed with musical numbers rendered by soprano Ms. Lucia Parmi such as the popular Filipino hits Isang Mundo, Isang Awit, Bayan ko, and Ako ay Pilipino. The program as moving finale featured a tableau of the making of the first Philippine flag, against the backdrop of the patriotic song “Ako ay Pilipino”.

Meanwhile, at the flag-raising ceremony on June 12, Ambassador Lamadrid took the opportunity to read the Independence Day message of President Aquino, while Mrs. Anita dela Cruz, Administrative officer of the embassy, read the message of Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario. Ambassador Lamadrid also took the opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution to make the independence day celebration a success, particularly Felisa V. Ramos, Cultural Officer of the Philippine Embassy, who oversaw the whole preparation in her capacity as the over-all coordinator and chairperson, Grace P. Blair (wife of the CEO of Eland Oil and Gas) who directed the show as well as choreographed the dances with an OFW simply named Spice, Lolita Victorio of Britamold Limited and Catalina Jibrin of Kapalaran Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the decorations, and Lucia Parmi for her rendition of Filipino songs. An ambience of a barrio fiesta (village carnival) complete with a Bahay Kubo (farm hut) was created by the skills of Michael Brillantes who constructed the props featuring life in the rural areas of the Philippines, and entertainment was provided by the dance skills of Jabar Guro, Clifford Legal, James Valenzuela, Tirso Persia, Allan Corpuz, Dennis Banasihan, Michael Brillantes, Sean Cang, Felisa Ramos, Angelita Agbakoko, Araceli Aipoh, Catalina Jibrin and her children, Janice Bagaloque, Rose Urgel, Norma Fontiveros, Gina Dadia, Spice, Shiela Reyes, Angie Lorica, Evelyn Clava, Edna Calusin, Farzaneh Foroozan, Nelly Salinas, and Marlyn Cabrera. Ambassador Lamadrid thanked the entire staff of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja for their support to make the celebration a success.The flag-raising ceremony was attended by members of the Filipino community in Nigeria, namely Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Onitsha.

To cap the celebrations, an informal victory party for the cast of the cultural show as well as other invited guests was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Les Blair of Eland Oil and Gas at their residence on the night of June 12. Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid took this opportunity to thank everyone for their cooperation and participation by presenting them with certificates of recognition.

Also on June 12, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, celebrated a Holy Mass which was attended by Ambassador Lamadrid and staff of the Philippine Embassy, as well as by Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, members of the diplomatic corps and of the Filipino community including the four Filipina nuns of the Missionary Catechists of Saint Therese, who are serving at the Apostolic Nunciature in Abuja.

The reception on June 11 was widely covered by Nigerian mass media, with Ambassador Lamadrid being interviewed by two separate TV crews from the NTA network. Journalists from Nigerian dailies including The Sun, Leadership, BusinessDay, and the monthly Diplomats Extra magazine also covered the event.

The Philippine Embassy in Abuja has jurisdiction over Nigeria and 17 other West and Central African countries