PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOSTS JOINT CELEBRATION TO COMMEMORATE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE AND DR. JOSE RIZAL’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
One Globe Voices @ Work lead the National Anthem at Kalayaan 2023 Flag Ceremony
Berlin, 11 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Germany held a joint commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood and the 162nd birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Heilig Geist Kirche gardens in Bayernallee on 11 June.
With the theme Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, at Kasaysayan, the joint celebration emphasized the significance of the twin milestones in shaping the nation’s past, present and future. In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Irene Susan B. Natividad said, , “Para po sa ating lahat na nakapamumuhay ng malaya, nakapagsasalita ng malaya, nakapagtipun-tipon ng malaya, at nakapananampalataya ng malaya, utang po natin ang lahat ng ito sa ating mga bayani xxx Gamitin po natin ang ating kalayaan at kasaysayan upang magtulungan at magkaisa para sa kinabusang mapayapa, maunlad at masagana para sa bawat Pilipino at sa bansang Pilipinas.”
(From L-R) Minister Gerardo P. Abiog reading the Secretary of Foreign Affairs’ message; Amb. Irene Susan B. Natividad reding President Marcos’ message and Ms. Richelle Abiog reading an excerpt from Rizal’s poem To the Filipino Youth (A la juventud Filipina)
The Ambassador then joined Gerhard Müller of the Knights of Rizal and Stella Schnell of the Ladies for Rizal in a floral offering for the national hero.
(L-R) Ambassador Natividad joins Mr. Mueller and Ms. Schnell for the floral offering ceremony
After the mass, One Globe Voices @ Work delighted the community with their rendition of classical and contemporary Filipino songs. To cap the day’s events, the Embassy hosted a salu-salo for the community at the church garden.
