The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in Thailand, working in close partnership, organized a series of festivities to commemorate the 109th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. The celebration, which carried the theme “Sama-sama tayo tungo sa pag-asenso,” consisted of several events that commenced on 8 June and culminated on 17 June 2007.

The celebration kick-started with a gala dinner at the Grand Ballroom of JW Marriott Hotel, under the auspices of the Association of Filipinos in Thailand (AFT) on 8 June. The gathering, attended by more than 200 guests, featured cultural dances by members of the AFT and a performance by a popular Filipino band in Bangkok.

In his address during the program, Ambassador Antonio V. Rodriguez hailed Filipinos in the country for their significant contribution towards the country’s strong economic performance in recent years. He also encouraged the Filipino community to continue to be strong and united for a better future for the Philippines.

The gala dinner was followed by a one-day golf tournament organized by the Filipino Golfers Club of Thailand at the President’s Country Club on 9 June. Presenting the Ambassador’s Cup to the winners of the tournament, Ambassador Rodriguez hailed the organization’s efforts at strengthening the spirit of camaraderie among Filipinos in the country through sports.

In the evening of 9 June, Ambassador and Madame Rodriguez, together with some Embassy personnel, celebrated Independence Day with the Filipino community in Pattaya, a city around 165 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.

The commemoration of the 109th anniversary of Philippine independence in Thailand was highlighted by a flag-raising ceremony and a breakfast and get-together between Embassy personnel and about 200 Filipino community leaders at the Embassy grounds on 12 June. Embassy officials, led by Ambassador Rodriguez, conveyed to the Filipino community the respective national day messages of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

This year’s celebration was made all the more memorable with the holding of a Filipino fiesta at the Embassy grounds on 17 June. The event, jointly organized by the Embassy, the Philippine Ladies Group, the Philippine-Thai Business Club, the Filipino Golf Club, and the Tennis Association of Filipinos in Thailand, began at 5 o’clock PM with a Catholic mass celebrated by Filipino missionary priests led by Father Vic Payuyo. The rest of the day was filled by singing performances of Janice Javier, a budding Filipino music artist in Bangkok, and Landmark Hotel’s Sweet Inspiration Band, one of the top Filipino bands in the country. The gathering’s festive atmosphere was enriched by dozens of food stalls showcasing Filipino cuisine like lechon, pansit, kare-kare, suman, puto and diniguan. The fiesta was attended by an estimated 2,000 Filipinos and their foreign friends. Food coupons worth 100 baht were given to the first 1,000 guests who were able to enjoy Filipino delicacies for free.

On 19 June, Ambassador and Madame Rodriguez hosted a thanksgiving dinner for Filipino community leaders in appreciation of their significant contributions towards ensuring the success of this year’s celebration of Philippine independence. In felicitating the prominent members of the Filipino community in Bangkok, Ambassador Rodriguez expressed the hope that they would continue working closely together with the Embassy in future projects.

Apart from these events, the Embassy also arranged an interview of Ambassador Rodriguez by Dr. Valerie McKenzie of Morning Talk TV (a leading English TV program in Thailand which is also shown in nearby countries). During the interview, which was aired on Thai TV Channel 3 on 13 June, Ambassador Rodriguez discussed the excellent relations between the Philippines and Thailand. He also took the opportunity to highlight the positive gains of the Philippine economy, as well as investment opportunities in the Philippines, among other important issues.

A national day supplement was also prepared for the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s leading English-language daily newspaper.

Embassy personnel led by Ambassador Rodriguez (seated, center) pose for photos prior to the flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds on 12 June.

Filipinos and foreign guests listen attentively to Ambassador Rodriguez during the gala dinner at the JW Marriott Hotel on 8 June 2007.

Embassy personnel sing the national anthem with Filipino community leaders during the flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds on 12 June.

Hundreds of Filipinos entered the Embassy grounds to join the Filipino fiesta on 17 June.

Ambassador Rodriguez and Morning Talk TV host Dr. McKenzie share a light moment during the inteview at Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok on 6 June.

RELATED ITEMS:

Message of President Arroyo here

Message of Secretary Romulo here

More independence day photos here

Bangkok Post supplement here

The Philippines
Office of the President
Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Trade & Industry
Department of Tourism
Philippine Media
° The Manila Bulletin Online
° The Philippine Daily Inquirer
° The Philippine Star

Thailand
Office of the Premier
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thai Media
° Bangkok Post
° The Nation