The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, Laos hosted a Flag Raising Ceremony on 12 June 2019 at the Embassy grounds as part of its activities celebrating the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The event was attended by 75 members of the Filipino Community, and also included the Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADZ) who were in Vientiane as part of their ASEAN Tour 2019, which was organized in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The MADZ led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, and afterwards Mr. Jack Durano, FilCom member, led the recitation of the PanunumpasaWatawat ng Pilipinas. Ambassador Belinda M. Ante and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jose Carlo G. Morales read the messages of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Secretary of Foreign Affairs TeodoroLocsin. Jr., respectively, commemorating the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The ceremony was followed by a simple Filipino breakfast of fried eggs, daing, longganisa, pandesal, ensalada, rice, and hot chocolate.
In the evening of the same day, the Embassy hosted a diplomatic reception at the Lao Plaza Hotel attended by representatives from the Lao government, diplomatic corps and international organizations, private sector, and the Filipino community. The guests of honor were Madam KhemmaniPholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. AlounkeoKittikhoun, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Madame KhamphaoErnthavanh, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. In her speech, Ambassador Ante emphasized that the Philippines was celebrating the event when the Filipino people first became aware of their national identity and resolved to take control of their future as a nation. Ambassador Ante also highlighted the strengthening relations between Laos and the Philippines through upcoming exchanges of official visits and the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Philippines-Laos diplomatic relations in 2020.
During the reception, the MADZ regaled the guests with several songs, namely “Mas Que Nada”, “La Mer”, “Cebuano Medley”, “Da Coconut Nut”, and “Circle of Life”. End
