ANKARA, 13 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara commemorated the 125th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Philippine Independence with a flag-raising ceremony and a simple reception at the Embassy grounds on 12 June 2023.
The Philippine Embassy officers and staff, led by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. (second from right, seated). (Embassy photo).
Chargé d’affaires a.i. (CDA) Juan E. Dayang Jr., Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (DAFA) Col. Harold Argamosa led the officers and staff of the Embassy during its flag-raising rites. The Independence Day Messages of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo were also shared.
A simple reception followed the flag-raising ceremony. Officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), led by Ambassador Esra Cankorur, Director General for Bilateral Political Affairs (East Asia and Southeast Asia), and former Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines, attended the program, along with the Ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Other ASEAN heads of missions, diplomats, representatives from the Embassies of Azerbaijan and Georgia, and the local media also joined the festivities.
In his welcome remarks, CDA Dayang invited everyone to take a moment of silence to remember the victims of the earthquake which struck southern Türkiye last February. He underscored the importance of unity in every tragedy, mentioning the Philippine assistance in the rescue operations of Türkiye with the deployment of an 82-man contingent team to the country and the Embassy’s efforts in the rescue, relief and repatriation operations for Filipino-Turkish families in Hatay. He also recalled how the Turkish government aided the Philippines when it was hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 through the Turkish Red Crescent and the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation.
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. delivers his welcome remarks to diplomatic officials and guests at the reception commemorating the 125th Philippine Independence Day. (Embassy photo).
He further remarked, “The story of the Philippines is not limited to our 7,641 islands. Our story continues to be written wherever there is a Filipino that has chosen to plant their roots, including here in Türkiye as well as in Azerbaijan and Georgia. We hope that we can continue to contribute to writing its next chapter, especially as we prepare for the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-Türkiye relations next year. Today is not just the 125th Anniversary of our Independence Day. Today is a reminder to us how far we all have come, both in the Philippines and in Türkiye.”
Ambassador Cankorur, in her remarks, said “Türkiye and the Philippines enjoy good and amicable relations and next year, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.” She added, “The Philippines has become an emerging economic and trade partner for Türkiye and the defence industry cooperation has become a driving force of our bilateral relations.” In closing, Ambassador Cankorur thanked the Philippines’ support and solidarity with Türkiye after the recent devastating earthquake in the country.
Chargé d’affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr shakes hands with Ambassador Esra Cankorur, Director General for Bilateral Political Affairs (East Asia and Southeast Asia), Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the latter’s remarks. (Embassy photo).
Ambassador Cankorur joined CDA Dayang in the ceremonial cutting of the cake. Later, guests enjoyed the Filipino fusion delicacies such as empanada, lumpiang shanghai, and turon.
Chargé d’affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. and Ambassador Esra Cankorur at the ceremonial cutting of the cake. (Embassy photo).
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. (Center Right), Ambassador Esra Cankorur (Center Left), Ambassador Apirat Sugondhabihirom, Ambassador Kim Heng Meas, Ambassador Hai Do Son, Ambassador Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, and Ambassador Shafiee Kassim, with the officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), senior ASEAN Embassy officers, and representative from the Georgian Embassy. (Embassy photo).
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Angela Margeaux Tolentino (far left) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia (far right) with the guests from the Embassies of Georgia and Azerbaijan. (Embassy Photo).
Chargé d’affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Angela Margeaux Tolentino with the guests from the Indonesian Embassy. (Embassy Photo).
Ms. Leahna Mae Guiritan, a Grade-8 student in Türkiye, serenading the guests with Filipino patriotic songs. (Embassy photo)
Ms. Leahna Mae Guiritan, an 8th Grade student in Türkiye, performed a Filipino patriotic song entitled “Ako ay Pilipino” by Pinoy Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma and “With a Smile” by Eraserheads, one of the most influential alternative rock bands in the Philippines. END
