Chicago Celebrates Philippine Independence

The Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago, together with the Filipino American community, warmly celebrated the 117th Anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence on Friday, 12 June 2015. Consul General Generoso DG Calonge led the officers and staff members of the Consulate and leaders and members of the Filipino American community of greater Chicagoland in the traditional flag raising ceremony at the Daley Center Plaza at 9:00 am.

After the flag raising ceremony, a short program and a reception, followed by brunch for all, was held at the Consulate General with members of the Filipino Community. Consul Alena Grace S. Borra, Consul Ricarte B. Abejuela III, Ms. Elizabeth Villa, Ms. Anna Liza F. Alcantara and Mr. Sheridan Sabeniano read the Independence Day messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., respectively.

Mr. Dennis Jung, Outreach Coordinator of the Governor’s Office of Asian and American Affairs read the Proclamation from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner declaring 12 June 2015 as “Philippine Independence Day in Illinois.” The proclamation recognizes the significant contributions of the Filipino American community to the development of Chicago and the entire state throughout history and the important role it continues to play in the cultural, civic and economic life of the city.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also sent his congratulatory letter on the 117th anniversary celebration of the declaration of Philippine Independence. In his letter, Mayor Emanuel acknowledged the contributions of Filipino Americans to the growth and development of the city. He also recognized the major role of Filipinos among the many diverse communities in Chicago.

A cultural show organized by the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) was also presented at the Daley Plaza at 12:00 pm featuring traditional Filipino dresses and folk dances.

 

TRIUMPHS, POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS HIGHLIGHTED AT 117TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In commemoration of the 117th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. looked back at major triumphs of the Philippines in the past year and honored outstanding Filipinos who have made significant contributions in raising the country’s profile in the United States.

“There is much to celebrate in terms of developments in the country, and this year’s Independence Day celebration is an opportunity to reflect on what the Philippines has achieved,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. during the Embassy’s Vin d’Honneur on 11 June 2015 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

In his remarks, Ambassador Cuisia welcomed guests to the Independence Day celebration by recalling significant milestones of the Philippines in the past year.

The envoy cited the country’s continuous positive economic trajectory, improvement in the recently-published Rule of Law Index of the World Justice Project, and the good governance platform of the Aquino Administration as reasons for celebration.

In a message to the Filipino community in the United States, Ambassador Cuisia noted, “This year’s theme, Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot Kamay na ng Bayan (Independence 2015: Triumphs Through Reforms Within Nation’s Reach) highlights our cumulative efforts to improve the quality of life of every Filipino even in the face of daunting challenges.”

“These triumphs are a tribute to our bayanihan spirit and resiliency as a people, and to our country’s positive transformation which the international community has welcomed with renewed confidence and hope,” added the Ambassador.

The Vin d’Honneur was also a celebration of the strong ties between the Philippines and the United States.

“The friendship between the Philippines and the US has deep historical roots, which include fighting side by side in wars for liberation. We are pleased that this friendship has continued to grow, with the US having the second largest tourism arrivals in the Philippines last year and the US consistently ranking as one of the top three trading partners of the Philippines for decades,” said Ambassador Cuisia.

“The most personal aspect of our relationship, however, is the Filipino community in the US. With close to 3.4 million Filipinos, we represent the 4th largest immigrant group in the US,” added Ambassador Cuisia.

Two Filipinos who have called the US their home yet strongly embody the bayanihan spirit were honored during the Vin d’Honneur —Dr. Conrado Gempesaw, President of St. John’s University and the first layperson to lead the Catholic university, and Rear Admiral Babette Bolivar, one of the highest-ranking Filipino- Americans in the US Navy.

The Embassy presented Dr. Gempesaw with a plaque of achievement for his commitment to promoting quality education for all. Through Dr. Gempesaw’s vision and leadership, he forwarded academic initiatives that advocate inclusiveness in higher learning.

Rear Admiral Babette Bolivar received a plaque for her excellence and meritorious conduct in exercising military command, and for inspiring men and women in uniform. She is the Filipino-American with the highest naval commissioned officer ranking.

Several American officials shared their well wishes for the Filipino people and reiterated the support of the US for the Philippines.

Congressman Matt Salmon, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the US House Committee on Foreign Relations, recognized the principled stand for regional peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight the Philippines has practiced in the region, particularly in the South China Sea.

“We remain committed to honoring our long-standing alliances and partnerships with Asian countries in the region and the Philippines continues to contribute to regional peace and security in contested areas such as the South China Sea,” said Rep. Salmon.

Rep. Salmon stressed the importance of the arbitration case filed by the Philippines in peacefully settling the South China Sea issue and in preserving regional peace, security and stability. For this reason, he likewise expressed the hope that China will participate in the arbitral proceedings.

The Congressman also recognized the countless contributions of the Filipino-American community to economic growth, cultural understanding, and US politics.

In his speech, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald recalled moments in history when Filipinos showed courage in fighting for freedom, an act which he said deserves the trust and friendship of the American people.

“We forget today what a tinderbox Asia was in 1898 when the people of the Philippines declared their independence from Spain. Japan just fought a war with China and would find another one with Russia in a few years. China was on the verge of a civil war, the Boxer rebellion, and half a dozen of foreign powers were still jockeying for position in the region. There would be two world wars upcoming and a lot of suffering and sacrifices by the Filipino people before their independence would become a permanent reality,” said Secretary McDonald.

“Through all those years, the Filipino people were no less courageous, no less resourceful and no less deserving of freedom than any other people. And in their past sixty-nine years of peaceful independence, they have proven themselves fully deserving of our trust and our friendship,” Secretary McDonald added.

Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also addressed guests and shared his best wishes and optimism for the future of Philippines-US relations.

Members of the Filipino-American community raved about the event, saying it was one of the best Independence Day celebrations they attended.

“This year’s celebration, held in one of Washington’s most prestigious venues, makes us even prouder to be part of this great community,” said one of the Filipino-American guests during the Vin d’Honneur.

 

Chicago Cultural Center Presents K’NA, THE DREAMWEAVER by Ida Anita Del Mundo on 19 August 2015

The Consulate General of the Philippines would like to inform the Filipino American community that a documentary film entitled K’na, The Dreamweaver by Director Ida Anita Del Mundo will be the official entry of the Philippines to the 12th annual International Screenings Program at the Chicago Cultural Center. This weeklyfilm series, running from 27 May to 23 September, showcases 18 films from around the world that are not widely available in the U.S.

In order to manifest our support to this documentary film, the Consulate General would like to encourage our community to watch the screening of K’na, The Dreamweaver at the Claudia Cassidy Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center located at 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602 on Wednesday, 19 August 2015 at 6:30 PM. Admission is absolutely FREE.

K’na, The Dreamweaver is a story of a young princess of the Tboli indigenous group who discovers that she has been chosen by the gods as her village’s dream weaver. Because of this choice of her by the gods, she has the ability to weave together her village’s warring tribes, but she must give up her one true love to do so. The film was set in South Cotabato in Mindanao, Philippines.