Press Release No. 17-2016
Date: 22 June 2016
(Jeddah, 19 June 2016)- The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah commemorated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence by holding the following activities in line with this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong”.
Flag-Raising Ceremony and Program
The Consulate General successfully held at its premises the Flag-Raising Ceremony and Program on 03 June 2016. Led by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong, the event was attended by the officers and staff of the Consulate including attached agencies, members of the Filipino community and MWORFC wards numbering around 200 persons.
Consul General Imelda M. Panolong was assisted by Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague, Vice Consul Alexander Joseph A. Estomo and Labor Attache Jainal T. Rasul, Jr., in hosting the Philippine flag.
In her welcome remarks, Consul General Panolong thanked the members of the Filipino community for the continued support and cooperation with the Consulate. She urged the overseas Filipino community in Jeddah and the rest of the Western region of Saudi Arabia to play a meaningful role in the incoming administration of President elect Rodrigo Duterte. She described these times as the dawn of a new era in the Philippines similar to the times of our heroes 118 years ago when they, too, faced the advent of a new beginning as a newly independent nation. Consul General Panolong, at this point, gave recognition to the achievements of the outgoing administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III in fighting corruption, improving the economy and enhancing the image of the country in the international community.
In recognition of their support and cooperation, Consul General Panolong presented certificates of appreciation to the Consulate’s Area Coordinators who are greatly helping the Consulate carry out its assistance-to-nationals mandate in many respects. She also distributed certificates of recognition to individuals and Filipino community groups for taking part in the program. She also presented a certificate of recognition to Welfare Officer Dr. Amelito Adel whose tour of duty will end this month of June 2016.
To enliven the occasion, talents from the Filipino Artiste Migrant Ensemble (FAME) presented song and dance numbers, showcasing famous Filipino dances such as tinikling and singkil. After the ceremony, all the attendees enjoyed the salo-salo or “Brunch ng Bayan” wherein famous Filipino dishes were served such as “tapsilog” (tapa, sinangag at itlog), chicken tocino, Tender Juicy hotdog, Jollibee’s spaghetti and fried chicken, dilis and steamed vegetables with matching bagoong. Likewise, the cold and refreshing sago’t gulaman and buko pandan were a welcome treat to all attendees.
The salo-salo was followed with a medical mission conducted by the Economic and Social Command, Jeddah KSA International Chapter (ECOSOC). The Consulate personnel, wards and some Filipino community members availed themselves of the free services such as massage therapy, haircut, eye examination including lid scrub and eye wash/ocular hygiene, checking of blood pressure and blood sugar.
Kalayaan Bowling Fun Game
A bowling tournament was held on 04 June 2016 at the Jeddah Lanes Bowling Center and was exclusively participated in by the officers and staff of the Consulate, including the attached agencies (POLO-OWWA, SSS, Pag-IBIG, DSWD, and PTIC) and their dependents. Dubbed as “Kalayaan Bowling Fun Game 2016”, the activity was intended to promote camaraderie, unity, friendship and physical fitness among the members of the Consulate General.
From among the thirteen participating teams, the Yellow Team, composed of Mr. Diosdado Abarra (Communications Officer and Team Captain), Asst. Labor Attache Rosario Mangahas, Mr. Nilo Buenaseda (Collecting Officer) and Ms. Amera Langco (wife of Mr. Abdul Halim Langco, ATN Case Officer), emerged as the champion.
The 1st Runner-up went to Aquamarine Team headed by Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague, with Mr. Jhabar Ahmad of Consular Section, and his wife, Mrs. Nur Ahmad, and Mr. Ronnel Lasacar, from ATN Section. The Light Blue Team was declared as 2nd Runner-up which composed of Messrs. Ashurry Macasindil of the Consular Section, Victor Galanza from the Records Office, Mesdames Alice Ulep of the Finance Section and Beverly Navarra, spouse of Mr. Arnel Navarra, ATN Case Officer. Trophies, medals and other items were awarded to the Top 5 teams.
Special awards were given to Mr. Diosdado and Leony Abarra for being the champions in the high series game, while Mr. Arnel Navarra and Ms. Mary Ann Hipe, both of the ANS Section, got the 1st Runner-up awards. In the high single game (male and female), the Abarra spouses still got the champion awards while Mr. Ashurry Macasindil and Miss Jen Munji (daughter of Mr. Avelino “Jun” Munji, Jr., Administrative Officer) were declared as 1st Runner-ups.
Traditional Flag-Raising Ceremony
On 12 June 2016, the Consulate General, led by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong, together with the officers and staff of the Consulate and MWORFC wards held a simple flag-raising ceremony and joined the Filipino nation and people all over the world in hoisting the Philippine flag and singing of the Lupang Hinirang in celebration of the historic event. Independence messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III and Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Jose Rene D. Almendras, were delivered by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong and Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague, respectively. Likewise, the messages of OWWA Administrator Hon. Rebecca Calzado and Secretary of Labor and Employment, Hon. Rosalinda D. Baldoz, were read by Welfare Officer and OWWA Coordinator, Angel L. Cruz, Jr., and Labor Attache Jainal Rasul, Jr., respectively.
During the program, the newly arrived personnel, Messrs. Abdul Halim Langco and Omar Mosa, both from the Department of Foreign Affairs, were welcomed to the PCG family and were asked to say a few words about themselves. Likewise, Consul General Imelda Panolong distributed trophies to the winners who got special awards during the Kalayaan Bowling Fun Game held on 04 June 2016.
In July 2016, other activities commemorating the Philippine Independence will be held at the Consulate in collaboration with the Filipino community organizations in Jeddah, such as (1) Photography and OPM Singing Contest on 22 July 2016; (2) Patimpalak sa Talumpating Di Handa and Independence Medical Mission, 29 July (9 AM -5:00 PM); and (3) Fil-Com Got Talent contest and cultural show on 29 July 2016 (6PM-10:00 PM). These are being held after Ramadhan in deference to the observance of the holy month. END
