The SUN HK : HK Filcom celebrates Phl Independence Day for first time in 4 years

Singing of the National Anthem on Chater Road

“We’re back with a vengeance!”

This was how Consul General Raly Tejada described in his opening remarks the fun-filled, whole-day celebration of the 12^th Philippine Independence Day on Chater Road on Sunday.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE!

It was the first time since 2019 that the traditional street festivity was held after the Covid-19 pandemic that gripped the whole world.

Congen Tejada made his speech to a crowd of thousands, after dozens of Filipino community organizations made up mostly by migrant workers took part in a lively and colorful parade amid a searing heat.

The Igorot Dance by the Cordillerans is always a crowd-drawer

Congen said the sunny weather day was already a blessing, as a downpour early in the day threatened to derail the celebration that involved months of preparation and several hours of rehearsals on Sundays for the mostly domestic worker-participants.

PAPAANO SUMALI? PINDUTIN ITO!

In his speech, Congen first paid tribute to the frontliners – doctors, nurses and other medical workers – who valiantly looked after those who caught the virus during the raging pandemic, and said the migrant workers should be included in their ranks.

The Pintados Festival dancers were a show-stopper

He also thanked those who took part in the festivity, from the Filcom groups that planned their own choreography and provided their own costumes, to the working committee that executed each part of the program.

EXTENDED TO JUNE 30!!

Apart from staff and officers of the Philippine Consulate, those who were part of the planning, preparation and the execution of the event were Global Alliance, Philippine Alliance, Filipino Leaders Active Group and Philippine Association of Hong Kong.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW! PRESS FOR DETAILS

The non-stop celebration was highlighted by the lively and meticulously-performed regional dances as well as a parade of colors featuring various migrant organizations, some of whom took to the street barefoot, despite temperatures of well over 30 degrees at some point.

The colorful Mango Festival dance

Guest performers, the Hong Kong Police Marching Band and the Tultugan Group, which flew all the way from Maasin, Iloilo at their own expense, received a hearty applause from the crowd for their outstanding presentations.

BASAHIN DITO

The young performers from Tultugan later told The SUN how happy they were to be included in the celebration as it was the first time outside their home province that they were able to show off their talents and skills.

The HK Police marching band was met with hearty applause

The day started with ecumenical prayers, which was followed by a Catholic mass presided over by Filipino chaplain Fr Jay Flandez. The message from the various leaders focused on the meaning of independence and how it reflects on one’s faith.

Providing a fitting finale to the memorable event was the performance by GMA actor Ruru Madrid, who delighted the mostly female crowd by going past the barriers to shake hands and hug some of them as he sang a few catchy songs.