Xiamen PCG Celebrates 117^th Independence Day with Filipino Community

• • • • • • • Top Left: Consul General Flores delivers his message during the 2015 Independence Day FilCom event.
            • Top Right: Bishop Joseph Cai (in green vestment) and Fr. Joseph Cai concelebrating the mass during the event at the Consulate General’s grounds

 The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen has successfully co-organized with the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), a Xiamen-based Filipino organization, a Filipino Community event at the Consulate General’s grounds on 28 June 2015 in celebration of the 117^th Philippine Independence Day.

More than 200 OFWs and guests attended the event that commenced with a mass service in the morning co-officiated by Bishop Joseph Cai and Father Joseph Cai. The mass was followed by the blessing of the chancery, salu-salo lunch, parlor games and entertainment from Xiamen-based bands.

The National Day messages of H.E. President Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario were read after the singing of the National Anthem and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag.

In his National Day message, Consul General Flores mentioned that the event was an opportunity for the Filipinos in Fujian province to gather on such a special occasion and pay tribute to their forefathers for their patriotism and bravery in their struggle to gain independence. He also thanked FAX for the support and cooperation to stage the annual event. In view of the 2016 presidential elections, all Filipinos were reminded of their civic duties to register and vote

ConGen Flores stressed that one of the mandates of the Consulate General is to provide assistance to all OFWs and these services include issuance of passports even to those who are illegally or overstaying in Fujian province. He also advised overstaying Filipinos to consider the option of returning to the Philippines rather than remain in a precarious situation, including their health/medical condition. ConGen Flores also took the opportunity to remind the OFWs to continue observing the laws of the host country and avoid being involved in illegal activities particularly on drug related matters.

PAL-Xiamen sponsored a raffled business class ticket to promote its Jinjiang-Manila route (and to any point in the Philippines).

The Consulate General also conducted Overseas Voting (OV) registration during the event in which students and OFWs were able to do so. END

• • • • • • • Top Left: L-R Philippine Airlines (PAL) Area Manager Joel Tiong, Xiamen PCG Administrative Officer Merle Purugunan, Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS) President Roman T. Go, and Consul General Julius Caesar Flores during the 2015 Independence Day FilCom event.
            • Top Right: OFWs during the event at the Consulate General’s ground