COLORFUL FESTIVITIES MARK THE 110TH PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION BY THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN DHAKA 1146 times read
Ambassador Rabago and Guest of Honor Choudhury raise a toast during the reception
The officers and staff of Dhaka PE: (L-R) : Finance Officer Maximo Ortiz, Administrative Officer Caesar Balarbar, Cultural Officer Adela Baclic, Minister and Consul General Alex Lamadrid, Ambassador Rabago, First Secretary and Consul Alfredo Borlongan, Attache Jocel Hidalgo, Assistant Theodora Noval and Protocol Officer Manuel Oira.
Ambassador Rabago greets Swiss Ambassador Rapold.
The Ambassador with His Grace Archbishop Joseph Marino (l) and US Ambassador James Moriarty
FilCom volunteers perform the Binasuan (Glass) Dance
16 June 2008 – The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka headed by Ambassador Zenaida Tacorda Rabago celebrated the 110th Philippine Independence Day with a reception for the diplomatic corps, Bangladeshi government officials, Filipino community leaders, academicians, business people, and friends of the Philippine Embassy on 12 June at the La Vita Room of Lake Shore Hotel, Dhaka. Close to 200 guests joined the colorful festivities.
The Honorable Rasheda K, Choudhury, Adviser (Minister) of the Ministry of Mass and Primary Education and the Ministry of Women’s and Children’s Affairs, graced the Philippine independence day reception as guest of honor. Foreign diplomats led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Her Excellency Dora Rapold of Switzerland, attended the occasion.
The reception commenced with the singing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the Philippines, led by the faculty and students of the American International University Bangladesh clad in colorful native Punjabis and sarees as well as by the Philippine community choir in their barongs and kimonos. Attractive multimedia flags of Bangladesh and the Philippines were flashed on a giant screen during the signing of the national anthems.
In her toast remarks, Ambassador Rabago recalled the significance of the proclamation of Philippine independence 110 years ago, not only for the Philippines but also for the whole of Asia. Ambassador Rabago likewise mentioned the important role of Filipino women in nation-building, especially of the two women presidents, Hon. Corazon Aquino and H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Ambassador Rabago dwelt at length on the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries in international organizations such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Organization of Islamic Conference, and the United Nations and its specialized organs. She likewise expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by Bangladesh to the numerous Filipinos living and working in the country, especially in the garments sector where they are making an important economic contribution. Ambassador Rabago concluded her remarks with a toast to the health of Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed, Philippine President Arroyo, and Madam Choudhury, and to the enduring friendship between the peoples of the Philippines and Bangladesh.
Hon. Choudhury, in her remarks, conveyed the warm congratulations of the Government of Bangladesh on the occasion of the Philippine National Day, and likewise noted the growing cooperation between Bangladesh and the Philippines, not only bilaterally but also in the multilateral arena. She emphasized that the two countries could certainly do more to further expand relations in areas such as gender empowerment and development. She expressed delight at the colorful display of Philippine native costumes – especially the barongs, kimonos, and ternos that she saw Filipinos wearing that evening. She ended her remarks by proposing a toast to the health of President Arroyo and to the lasting friendship between the Philippines and Bangladesh.
The Philippine community singers and dancers led by Dr. Charles Villanueva, Dean of the American International University Bangladesh, presented a delightful cultural program of Philippine songs and dances, with renditions of traditional and patriotic songs such as Ako ay Pilipino (I am a Filipino), Bayan Ko (My Country), Pilipinas kong Mahal (Philippines my Philippines), and Pandangguhan (Fandango song). The audience was also treated to a display of dexterity and skill by dancers of the Binasuan (Glass Dance) and the all-time favorite, Tinikling. Singapore Consul Manik Binwani, who was previously posted in Manila, gamely joined the dancers for some audience participation in the Tinikling.
The evening’s program was capped by karaoke singing by members of the audience, who belted out such favorite hits as My Way, Lambada, and La Bamba among others, with Wow Philippines photos of the country’s tourist spots serving as backdrop.
The delighted foreign and Filipino guests expressed their appreciation to Ambassador Rabago for the lively program which was a departure from the usual stiff formal receptions, and looked forward to a similar program next year.
