Every year on the 12th of June, Filipinos all over the world celebrate the day that the nation’s revolutionary heroes proclaimed the end of 300 years of foreign domination that took place in the historic town of Kawit, Cavite in the northern Philippines.
This year, the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw hosted a diplomatic reception at the Polonia Palace Hotel to mark the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The reception was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Polish government officials, representatives of the business sector, educational and cultural institutions, and the Filipino community in Poland.
Three words sum up this year’s theme for the national celebration: Kalayaan (Freedom), Kinabukasan (Future), Kasaysayan (History). The words encapsulate a crucial point that Filipinos must always take to heart: that the lessons of our struggle for freedom in the past must inform and guide our actions in the present, as we secure our gains through the years for the benefit of future generations.
Philippine Foreign Secretary H.E. Enrique Manalo elaborated on this year’s theme further: Freedom embodies the essence of an independent foreign policy and the Philippine Government’s commitment to advance the cause of freedom in our country and in the international community. Future symbolizes our unwavering dedication to build a prosperous, peaceful, equitable, and sustainable future for every Filipino. History takes us back to 125 years ago when the Philippines fought for international recognition as the first Republic in Asia, and has since then steadfastly upheld the fundamental principles of decolonization, human rights, and equality.
In her Independence Day Speech, Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz stressed the Philippines’ commitment to support multilateralism and the preservation of a rules-based international order which ensures equity among nations and secures the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of every state.
Ambassador Ruiz also noted the value of engaging with stable and reliable partners such as Poland, and highlighted the significant developments in Philippines-Poland relations as the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in September this year.
This includes cooperation in the defense, agriculture, and maritime sectors; continuing investments both ways; increasing engagements with local governments, cultural and academic institutions, and parliamentary groups; and growing people-to-people interactions through tourism and educational exchanges.
The Guest of Honour for the Reception was H.E. Minister Wojciech Gerwel, Undersecretary of State for Economic Cooperation, the United Nations, Asia and the Americas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
In his speech, Minister Gerwel thanked the Philippine Government for its strong advocacy for the rule of law and its consistent support for peaceful settlement of conflicts, and expressed hope for the further strengthening of bilateral ties between the Philippines and Poland.
With Poland starting to attract the Filipino diaspora in recent years, on June 18th at the Embassy’s garden the Philippine Embassy hosted an Independence Day Celebration, which was attended by members of the growing Filipino community in Warsaw and other major Polish cities.
The event was a joyful celebration of Philippine culture through food, music, and dance – and a meaningful way for the diaspora to reconnect with the home country and be reminded of their part in the continuing task of nation-building. –
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