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| Consulate officers in photo session with Filcom guests |
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. called on all Filipinos to continue protecting their freedoms as the country marked the 126th anniversary of its independence today, June 12.
A video recording of his message was read out as the
Philippine Consulate officials hosted the traditional breakfast gathering of
Filipino community leaders.
“Bilang
tagapagmana ng kalayaan na tinatamasa natin ngayon, tungkulin ng bawat isa sa
atin na pangalagaan ito, at tiyakin na hindi na tayo kailan man magpapatinag sa
anumang banta ng pananakop, pananakot at pang-aapi…” Marcos said.
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| TAWAG NA! |
(“As those who inherited the freedom that we enjoy today,
it is our duty to protect it and ensure that we will never succumb to threats,
invasion and oppression).
“Tayo ang
mukha ng bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos added. “ Sa sarili nating pamamaraan maari
tayong maging bagong bayani ng ating makabagong panahon.”
(We are the face of the new Philippines… “Let us be
heroes in our modern times, in our own way).
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| Officers lead the pledge of patriotism to the Philippines |
The breakfast gathering at the Consulate which focused on this year’s theme of “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan (Freedom. Future. History),” was the first, and likely the last, to be hosted by Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, who is set to end her tour of duty at the end of the year.
Congen Usudan thanked the Filipino community leaders
for honouring the simple gathering by their presence, and dressing in their
best native attires.
She called on everyone to remember how the
country struggled to attain
independence.
“Balikan natin ang nakaraan ng pasasalamat, at
tanawin natin ang bukas ng buong tapang at pag-asa,” she said.
(Let us look back on the past with gratitude, and
look ahead with full courage and hope).
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| Congen Usudan graciously welcomes Filcom guests to the event |
Messages from other top government officials were also read out during the gathering, including one from Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, who paid special tribute to the country’s overseas Filipino workers, who he said, blazed the trail for building a bright future for their families, communities, and the country.
“As our modern-day heroes, you brave new cultures,
overcome challenges and diligently contribute to the economies of your host
countries. Through your hard work and resilience, you uplift your families and
showcase Philippine excellence on the global stage,” Cacdac said in his message
read out by Labor Attache Mel Dizon.
Cacdac pledged the DMW’s commitment to providing
OFWs the protection, support and services (they) deserve.
“ We strive to ensure your well-being, protect your
rights, and empower you to reach your full potential as equal partners in
national economic development,” he said.
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| Some of the 100-odd Filcom leaders pay homage to the flag and the country |
A video message from Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo was also played, in which he called on Filipinos to dwell on this year’s theme for the celebration, and remember the sacrifices made by the country’s forebears to help achieve independence for the country.
Manalo said that while Philippine revolutionaries managed to
attain freedom through weapons and an “extraordinary amount of grit,” modern-day
Filipinos must continue the task of nation-building through innovation, ingenuity
and perseverance.
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