Press Release No. 10-2017
(Jeddah, 09 July 2017)- The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah led a series of events celebrating the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with the theme, “Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-samang Balikatin”.
Flag-raising Ceremony
The series of commemorative events commenced with a simple flag-raising ceremony held on 11 June 2017 at the Consulate General’s premises. The activity was attended by the officers and staff of the Consulate General, led by Consul General in Jeddah Imelda M. Panolong. It started with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag. It was followed by a moment of silence to pray for all the fallen soldiers and the civilians who perished and those who were affected by the conflict in Marawi City.
Consul General Panolong read the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo R. Duterte while Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague read the message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano. The Independence Day messages of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez were also read during the ceremony.
To give more meaning to the event, some of the attendees donned their Mindanao attires to express the Consulate General’s solidarity with Mindanaons in general, and the Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, in particular. The wearing of the Mindanao attires also symbolizes hope for an end of the conflict soon and for Lanao to rise above the ashes as majestically as its beloved Sarimanok.
Independence Program with the Filipino community
In the morning of 30 June, the Consulate General in Jeddah held the traditional Flag-raising Ceremony and Program at its premises. Over 300 attendees composed of representatives from the Filipino organizations in their Filipino traditional attire joined the officers and staff of the Consulate in singing the national anthem and recitation of the Oath of Allegiance to the Philippine flag. It was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, which was led by Consul General Panolong. She was assisted by Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague and Vice Consul Alexander Joseph A. Estomo.
The program continued with the reading of Independence messages, singing of patriotic songs such as “Pilipinas Kong Mahal”, “Ako’y Isang Pinoy, and “Bayan Ko”, raffle of gift items including three (3) round-trip tickets to Manila courtesy of the Philippine Airlines. The event was concluded with a Filipino breakfast.
It was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony by Consul General Panolong to open the whole-day activities for OFWs. The Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC) and Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW spearheaded the activities, in collaboration with the Consulate General and with the support of other active groups in Jeddah. Hundreds of OFWs availed themselves of the free medical check-up and massage therapy and participated in the Zumba dance exercise, palarong pinoy, amateur singing contest and “game booth”/magic exhibition. They also enjoyed visiting the booths provided by various event sponsors, some offering display of their services and traditional Filipino food and refreshments. There were also live band performances and cultural entertainments provided by talented Filipino artists based in Jeddah.
Independence Day Concert of Kapamilya at Kapuso Artists
A key highlight of this year’s Independence Day celebrations was the “back-to-back” concert of GMA artists Rocco Nacino and Betong Sumaya, and ABS-CBN “Prince of Pop” Eric Santos in the evening of 30 June and 01 July 2017, respectively, held at the Consulate General’s premises. The Kapuso’s “Kalayaan, Kantawanan, Kasiyahan sa Gitnang Silangan” and Kapamilya’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” event concert was spearheaded by the Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW, Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC), Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) and Sky freight Forwarder, and was supported by various Filipino community organizations in Jeddah. The celebrities brought happiness to over a thousand kababayans who enjoyed the 2-day concert amidst the heat of the sun.
Medical Mission and Kalayaan Volleyball Games
As part of the Philippine Independence day celebration in the Western Region of the Kingdom, a medical mission was organized on 07 July 2017 at the Consulate’s Hall for the OFWs including the wards at the Bahay Kalinga. The activity was spearheaded by the Movement for Real Reform Development (MRRD/NECC-OFW) and Economic Social Command (ECOSOC) in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General and with special participation of the Filipino Dental Association in Jeddah. Meanwhile, the Kalayaan Volleyball games organized by the MRRD/NECC OFW will be held on 14 and 21 July 2017 at the Consulate’s grounds and will be participated in by Filipino nurses based in Jeddah.
Consul General Panolong thanked the guests from Manila for coming to Jeddah and bringing entertainment to the OFWs. She also expressed her appreciation for the support and cooperation of various Filipino community groups in making the commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence a success and a memorable one.
For more information, visit www.pcgjeddah.gov.ph. END
PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE PCG JEDDAH’S INDEPENDENCE DAY FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY, 30 JUNE 2017 AT ITS PREMISES
Philippine Consul General Imelda M. Panolong (4th from left) led in the flag-raising ceremony in
commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of Philippine Independence held on 30 June at the Consulate grounds.
Members of the Filipino community joined the Consulate General in the Independence Program celebration.
Kapuso artists Betong Sumaya and Rocco Nacino (left row) also attended the event.
Philippine Consul General Imelda M. Panolong on the Wreath-laying Ceremony on the bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
(right to left) VC Alex Estomo, Attache Vic Galanza, Consul RJ Sumague and daughter, Magwayen
Consul General Imelda M. Panolong (5th seated) was joined by the PCG Jeddah officers and staff
including the attached agencies during the June 30 Independence Day celebration
Consul General Imelda M. Panolong with Kapuso artists, Betong Sumaya and Rocco Nacino
(1st and 3rd from left) during their concert at the Consulate Premises on 30 June 2017
Consul General Imelda M. Panolong and Mr. Ronald "Bong" Concha (left) lead organizer of the event
listened to Kapamilya artist Eric Santos as he shared his happiness for being invited to hold a show
with OFWs in Jeddah, the place where his father once worked as OFW for more than a decade
Congen Imelda M. Panolong (center) with (from left to right) Mr. Emy De Guzman, Skyfreight
General Manager and event sponsor, GMA guest artist Betong Sumaya, Mr. Jamel U. Panolong
(spouse of Congen Panolong) GMA guest artist Rocco Nacino, Mr. Albert De Guzman, Skyfreight
Officer, and Mr. Ronaldo "Bong Concha of the Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW and head event organizer.
