25 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Rome kicked-off the 2015 Independence Day celebrations on May 28 with the observance of “Araw ng Watawat” or Flag Day. The day was marked with a flag-raising ceremony and the recitation of the "Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas" (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag) led by Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco and joined by the Embassy personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs, representatives from attached agencies such as Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Pag-IBIG and SSS, and members of the Filipino community.
The Embassy personnel, led by Ambassador Nolasco with Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Merceditas A. Tuason, also joined the Filipino community for a souvenir photo at the end of the annual Misa ng Pasasalamat celebrated to mark the 117th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. The Mass was officiated by Rome-based Filipino priests on June 07 at the Basilica of Sta. Pudenziana, the seat of Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy in Rome.
On June 12, the Embassy personnel sang the Philippine National Anthem in a flag-raising event in the morning and Ambassador Nolasco also delivered his brief remarks. In the evening, guests from the Corps of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Rome arrived at the Diplomatic Reception hosted by the Embassy at the Westin Exelsior.
Ambassador Domingo delivered his remarks before the guests who were also entertained by the cultural presentation performed by the Rome-based Filipino Kayumanggi Company. They were also served Filipino food treats and fun snapshots of the Philippines through the visual presentations from the Department of Tourism which features “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” and 2015 Visit Philippines Year.
The 117th Independence Day celebrations continued on June 14 with a flag-raising and wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal monument in Piazzale Manila in Rome led by Ambassador Nolasco and Ambassador Tuason. The Philippine National Anthem was sung at the beginning of the program led by Filipino youth and organized by the Philippine Independence Day Association (PIDA). Ambassador Nolasco also addressed the Filipino Community.
Another highlight of the day was the performances of the members of the Filipino community featuring cultural dances and rondalla music. END
