Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy led by Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa and Madame Mayie E. Ochoa, joined by members of the Filipino Community, celebrated the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at a flag hoisting ceremony and related activities on 12 June 2014 at the Philippine Embassy grounds.

Ambassador Ochoa was assisted by Col. Carlos B. Cepe, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché, and T/Sgt. Isidro M. Diola, Jr., ODAFA Administrative Assistant, in hoisting the Philippine flag.

The flag-hoisting was followed by the Invocation/Prayer for the Nation, which was led by Messrs. Alan Filio (representing the Roman Catholic group), Salim Alamun (representing the Filipino Muslim group), and Edgardo Feliciano (representing the Christian group).

The Embassy officers and staff and members of the Filipino community recited the oath of allegiance to the Philippine flag, and followed this with the Closing Hymn, “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”

Ambassador Ochoa then read his Independence Day message and that of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The highlight of the morning festivities was the unveiling by Ambassador Ochoa and Mrs. Ochoa of an 8 x 12 feet painting commissioned by the Embassy and executed by Mr. Pancho Piano, a renowned stained glass artist, abstractionist, muralist, and a multi-awarded Filipino artist, who held a solo exhibit in Brunei Darussalam on 16-19 January 2014.

The painting depicts the different Philippine traditions such as bayanihan or cooperation among members of the community. It also illustrates various folk dances and natural sceneries in the Philippines. The painting, which is located at the Embassy’s VIP lounge, shall become a permanent collection of the Embassy’s art works.

Guests then moved to the Embassy’s queuing area for the traditional Independence Day cake cutting ceremony by Ambassador Ochoa, Mrs. Ochoa, and selected Filipino community leaders.

Guests were invited to join the breakfast fellowship, and were entertained by the live music from Rhythmic Arts Sdn. Bhd.

Members of the Filcom at the said event were also encouraged to register for overseas voting for the May 2016 National Elections. Voters were also urged to verify and update, if necessary, the status of their biometrics data in the National List of Registered Voters (NLRV). END