ANKARA, 13 June 2023 – Hundreds of guests gathered for the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the Migrant Workers’ Day at the Meryem Ana Church grounds in Birlik, Çankaya, Ankara on 11 June 2023.
The celebration entitled “Filipinler Festivali” (Fiesta Filipinas) included a thanksgiving Mass, a Filipino Food Festival, and a Cultural Program.
A Holy Mass held at the Meryem Ana Church on the occasion of the 125th Philippine Independence Day and the Migrant Workers’ Day, officiated by Apostolic Nuncio Bishop Marek Solczynski, Fr. Seraphin Kazadi, parish priest of Meryem Ana Church, and Fr. Michael McGuckian. (Embassy photo)
The Thanksgiving Mass was consecrated by Apostolic Nuncio Bishop Marek Solczynski, Fr. Seraphin Kazadi, parish priest of Meryem Ana Church, and Fr. Michael McGuckian. Chargé d’affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr., Vice Consul Angela Margeaux Tolentino, and Cultural Officer Vanesa T. Sumera participated in the Mass proper. The Filipino members of the Meryem Ana community choir led the singing of Filipino songs. Filipino community leaders offered fruits, wine, and donations during the offertory.
Following the Mass, the Independence Day and Migrant Workers’ Day Program hosted roughly 300 guests. Chargé d’affaires a.i. Dayang thanked the Filipino community, including re-settled earthquake survivors from the southern Türkiye, for their assistance in event preparations, including food contributions, physical setup assistance, and cultural dance performances.
Chargé d’affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. delivers his message before the guests at the Filipinler Festivali (Fiesta Filipinas). (Embassy photo)
CDA Dayang, in his remarks, reflected on this year’s Independence Day theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan,” which focused on the freedom that our forebears struggled for; the future that they dreamed for the country; and the history that we seek to remember and honor. “We want to raise awareness among Filipinos around the world of our place in history as the earliest modern democracy and republic in Asia. Among our Filipino goals are the promotion of democratic ideals and principles, universal human rights, justice, and the value of freedom and sovereignty,” he stated.
The program featured two beloved Filipino traditions, the Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Sagalas, or muses, made a short procession and offered flowers to the image of the blessed Virgin Mary.
The sagalas (muses) pose after the offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary to highlight two Filipino traditions - the Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan, at the 125th Philippine Independence Day and Migrant Workers’ Day celebration. (Embassy photo)
Filipino community volunteers serve Filipino food to the guests of Filipinler Festivali (Fiesta Filipinas) Filipino Food Festival. (Embassy photo)
At the Filipino Food Festival, guests of all ages and backgrounds tasted a variety of Pinoy foods such as chicken adobo, pancit, lumpiang shanghai, ensaymada, puto, biko, kutsinta and “ice candy” for dessert, jointly prepared with the Filipino community.
As the guests partook in the feast, the younger attendees participated in popular Philippine games such as Pukpok Palayok and Pabitin.
The children play the Pukpok Palayok and Pabitin at the Filipinler Festivali (Fiesta Filipinas). (Embassy photo)
The much-awaited cultural program celebrated the diversity of Philippine song and dance, drawing a large crowd despite less-than-weather. Overseas Filipinos in Ankara performed traditional dances such as Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Igorot Dance, Lawiswis Kawayan, Cariñosa, Sayaw sa Cuyo, Dayang-Dayang and Tinikling, which many guests tried their best to learn. Three talented Filipino singers individually serenaded the guests with beloved makabayan song “Bayan Ko” and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) love songs. The program culminated with a combined rendition by all performers of “Samu’t Saring Iisa,” the official theme song of the 125th Philippine Independence Day.
The cultural performers on their rendition of “Samu’t Saring Iisa,” the official theme song for the 125th Philippine Independence Day. (Embassy Photo)
The Philippine Embassy team headed by Chargé dáffaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. pose at the end of the Filipinler Festivali (Fiesta Filipinas) on the occasion of 125th Philippine Independence Day and Migrant Workers’ Day. (Embassy Photo)
The Independence Day and Migrant Workers’ Day event was jointly organized with the Filipino community in Ankara with the support of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) based in Lebanon, which both covers Türkiye. END
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CULTURAL PROGRAM
Pandanggo Sa Ilaw Dance
Igorot Dance
Lawiswis Kawayan Dance
Cariñosa Dance
Sayaw sa Cuyo
Dayang Dayang
The Tinikling Dance
The foreign guests try dancing the Tinikling.
Ms. Leahna Mae Guiritan sings “Ave Maria.”
Ms. Hannah Joy Lico on her rendition of “Araw-Araw” by Ben&Ben.
Ms. Diamond Palawan draws a crowd on her rendition of “Bayan Ko.”
