The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen held the successful commemoration of the 118th Anniversary of Proclamation of Philippine Independence held at the Kempinski Hotel in Xiamen City on 22 June 2015, highlighted by a dinner reception and followed by a piano concert of Dr. Raul M. Sunico, President, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Dean, Conservatory of Music, University of Sto. Tomas (UST).
Xiamen Vice Mayor Madame Guo Gui Rong and Fujian Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Deputy Director General Wang Tianming led the 200 guests from Fujian Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Xiamen, Jinjiang, Quanzhou and Shishi Cities Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (FOCAO) officials, members of the Fujian diplomatic corps, Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Fujian province and Filipino community leaders, academe, media and Post’s official contacts.
In his message, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores paid tribute to the patriotism and bravery of the forefathers of the Filipino nation in the context of this year’s Philippine Independence Day them, Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong”, as the true measure of strength of the Philippines and its people. The undersigned cited the major economic gains that the Philippines achieved during the stewardship of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, specifically the economic inroads the Philippines made.
Also highlighted were the major accomplishments of the Consulate General in Xiamen in pursuing economic and cultural diplomacy thrusts specifically in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China as well as the 20th Anniversary of Post’s establishment. It was assured that the Consulate General in Xiamen will continue to nurture bilateral relations between the Philippines and Fujian Province by strengthening linkages and enhancing people-to-people contacts between the two parties
In their respective speeches, Xiamen Vice Mayor Madame Guo and FAO Deputy Director General Wang extended their warm greetings to the Philippines and the Filipino people as well as expressed appreciation to the Consulate General’s role in furthering the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the Philippines and China particularly Xiamen City and Fujian Province.
The Consulate General also organized film screenings for the Filipino community with the theme “Piling-pili Pelikulang Pilipino” (The Making of the Filipino Nation), commencing with the film, “El Presidente (The Story of General Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Philippine Republic) on 12 June 2016, the film showings held at Post’s Bulwagang Bagumbayan, will run till November 2016 (July to November 2016/Once a month). These films were loaned or provided by Post’s partners: Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and Artikulo Uno Productions. END
