Ankara, 27 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara and the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul held a series of activities in June to celebrate Kalayaan 2024: the 126th Anniversary of Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June and the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Türkiye on 13 June.
Overview of Events
The Philippine foreign service posts in Türkiye jointly celebrated the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a flag-raising ceremony held at the Embassy grounds in the morning of 12 June 2024. This was followed in the evening by a Diplomatic Reception with Special Concert of Filipino artists at the Doğan Taşdelen Contemporary Arts Center in Çankaya, Ankara. The Diplomatic Reception also served as the kick-off celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Türkiye.
The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the PH-TR relations continued with the illumination of famous landmarks in Turkiye of the colors of the Philippine flag on 13 June 2024. Similarly in the Philippines, the Turkish flag colors illuminated landmarks in Manila to mark the occasion.
In partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Embassy participated in the Samsun Kültür Yolu Festivali (Culture Route Festival) in Samsun on 14 June 2024.
The Embassy also hosted the first-ever Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day on 16 June 2024 at the Meryem Ana Church grounds in Birlik, Çankaya, Ankara.
The commemoration of the momentous occasions was also made more meaningful with the visit of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega, who served as Philippine Guest of Honor to the Diplomatic Reception and Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day. Undersecretary de Vega also visited Filipinos in detention, and held meetings with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss areas of cooperation. His visit truly exemplified bringing the Philippine government to the Filipino people.
Photo: The Philippine Embassy officers and staff led by Ambassador and Mme. Henry S. Bensurto Jr. (first row, second and third from left), joined by DFA Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega (first row, first from left), the Officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul headed by Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil (first from right, second row), and the Filipino community in Ankara, sing the Philippine National Anthem at the flag-raising ceremony for the 126th PH Independence Day. (Embassy photo).
Flag-Raising Ceremony, 12 June 2024
The commemoration of Kalayaan 2024 began with a flag-raising ceremony held at the Embassy grounds on 12 June 2024. The ceremony was also broadcasted live through Facebook to allow Filipinos in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to join the event remotely.
The rites commenced with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara led by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and his spouse Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, joined by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, Hon. Eduardo José De Vega, the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, the Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché, and members of the Filipino community in Ankara and Istanbul. It was followed by the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag) and the “I Care” pledge.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Bensurto emphasized the importance of the ceremony to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day, where the Philippine flag will be held up high all over the world wherever there are Filipinos. “In Ankara, the Philippine flag flies very high and proud because there are more than 5,000 Filipinos and we can say that there are 5,000 Philippine flags flying high with us today. And when we say we care for the Filipinos wherever they are, we are able to walk with them.” he said.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Türkiye, Henry S. Bensurto Jr. delivers his remarks at the flag-raising ceremony for the 126th PH Independence Day. (Embassy photo).
Ambassador Bensurto also introduced Undersecretary de Vega, who traveled more than 12 hours to Türkiye to grace the series of events for the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 75th anniversary of the PH-TR diplomatic relations.
Undersecretary de Vega greeted all the guests, especially the Filipino community in Ankara, some of whom he met during his visit last year and were survivors of the earthquake in Türkiye. He highlighted in his remarks the contributions and heroism of the OFWs and Filipino migrants worldwide. “Filipinos in Türkiye play a special role in strengthening our bilateral ties with Türkiye. As modern-day heroes, they work hard for their loved ones back home and for our Turkish brothers and sisters in the spirit of generosity and love. You are all part of the diaspora of Filipinos, and you are our true ambassadors,” he said.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Col. Harold Argamosa, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché, with the Filipino community members in Ankara at the flag-raising ceremony for the 126th PH Independence Day. (Embassy photo).
During the program, the video messages of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on the occasion of Kalayaan 2024 were played for the audience.
Ambassador and Mme. Bensurto and Undersecretary de Vega unveiled the 126th Philippine Independence Day (Kalayaan 2024) poster as well as the chosen logo designs for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Türkiye.
The program concluded with a Filipino breakfast of beef tapa, fried rice, and egg, among others, shared with the guests.
Diplomatic Reception and Special Concert of The Nightingales and violinist Joseph Brian Cimafranca, 12 June 2024
On the evening of 12 June 2024, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul led by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil, respectively, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) hosted a Diplomatic Reception and Special Concert of the Filipino soprano duo, The Nightingales, composed of Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila and Ms. Bernadette Mamauag, and Filipino violinist/vocalist Mr. Joseph Brian Cimafranca at the Doğan Taşdelen Contemporary Arts Center in Ankara, a venue provided by the Çankaya Municipality.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. with DFA Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega, Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and Philippine Consulate General Istanbul and their families, and Filipino artists, The Nightingales and Joseph Brian Cimafranca, in a group photo at the Diplomatic Reception for the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 75th Anniversary of the PH-TR Diplomatic Relations (Photo courtesy of Bunyamin Cicek).
The event was graced by Undersecretary Eduardo José A. De Vega of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Foreign Minister Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as guests of honor from the Philippines and Türkiye, respectively. Over 200 guests joined in the festivities.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. welcoming the Turkish Guest of Honor, Deputy Foreign Minister Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran to the Reception and Special Concert (Embassy photo).
The reception started at 5:30 pm with Ambassador Bensurto and his family personally welcoming the attendees to the event. The guests enjoyed Filipino delicacies such as kilawin (Filipino ceviche dish), lumpiang shanghai (spring rolls), empanada (stuffed meat pastries), and turon (crispy banana spring rolls). A separate dessert table featuring the creations of Filipino based in Ankara, Ms. Wennie Bautista, also served famous Filipino kakanin (glutinous rice cakes) biko and pichi pichi.
Photo: Filipina based in Ankara, Ms. Wennie Bautista, posing with the Filipino delicacies she prepared (Embassy photo).
Guests were also able to enjoy a sip of summer parties in the Philippines through the bar offering different craft spirits generously donated by Destileria Limtuaco, the oldest distillery in the Philippines. Their offerings included Amadeo Coffee Liqueur, Manille Liqueur De Calamansi, and Very Old Captain Rum with Paradise Mango Rum being the crowd favorite.
Photo: The bar serving Philippine craft spirits from Destileria Limtuaco (Embassy photo).
During the reception, the Rigodon de Honor dance was performed by selected officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul with members of the Filipino community. The traditional Rigodon de Honor is an elegant, stately dance brought to the Philippines by the Filipinos who returned from their travels abroad during the Spanish era. Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and other people at high social standing participate during very important or special occasions in the community.
Photo: The Rigodon de Honor dance (Photo courtesy of the Ankara Military Attaché Corps (AMAC) Magazine).
After the reception, the guests were invited to proceed to the concert area for the main program and special concert of The Nightingales and violinist Joseph Brian Cimafranca as the main highlight. The program began with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem performed by the Meryem Ana Church Filipino Choir and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem by a Turkish opera singer.
Photo: Attendees to the diplomatic reception on the occasion of the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Türkiye relations. (Photo courtesy of Bunyamin Cicek).
In his remarks, Ambassador Bensurto reflected on the theme of the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood – Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan or Freedom, Future and History, which reminds us of how the freedom earned by our Filipino forebears shaped both our nation's history and the future of the Philippines. He also underscored the important partnership of the Philippines and Türkiye as the two countries celebrate a milestone this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “With President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the helm, the Philippines is proud to elevate our relations to new heights, especially in the fields of defense, education, trade, and people-to-people relations." he said.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. addresses the audience at the commemoration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye Diplomatic Reception. (Photo courtesy of Bunyamin Cicek).
In his remarks, Undersecretary de Vega, as guest of honor from the Philippines, said that the Philippines and Türkiye’s partnership will foster deeper collaboration across all aspects of the bilateral relations. He also conveyed its gratitude to Türkiye, for all the assistance it provided for the affected Filipinos after the great earthquake happened in the country last year and for its continued hospitality to Filipinos in the country. He also thanked Türkiye for its strong support of the Philippines' efforts to promote peace in the southern region.
Photos: Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega (left) and Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Foreign Minister Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, the guests of honor from the Philippines and Türkiye, respectively, deliver their remarks at commemoration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye Diplomatic Reception. (Photos courtesy of Bunyamin Cicek).
Deputy Foreign Minister Prof. Dr. Duran of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, guest of honor from the Turkish side, congratulated the Philippines for celebrating its 126th Independence Day and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Türkiye. In his remarks, he expressed hope in increasing the bilateral trade relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation between our economies with a sense of complementarity. Deputy Foreign Minister Duran also emphasized the growing cooperation between the Philippines and Türkiye in the fields of defense and education, and thanked the Philippines’ assistance in the aftermath of the great earthquake that struck Türkiye last year.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto unveil the official logos for the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye (Embassy Photo).
After the speeches, the official logos for the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye diplomatic relations were launched. This was followed by a short video of the highlights of Philippine-Türkiye relations, and the Philippine Independence Day message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The highlight of the evening was the special concert of the well-renowned Filipino soprano duo, The Nightingales, composed of Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila and Ms. Bernadette Mamauag, and violinist Joseph Brian Cimafranca. The artists rendered a repertoire of Filipino folk songs, original Pilipino music (OPM), opera pieces, and a popular Turkish song “Fikrimin İnce Gülü” (The Thin Rose of my Thoughts). The audience, including the distinguished guests, were delighted with the performance of the artists that showcased the beautiful Filipino music and the world-class performance of Filipinos.
Photo: Former Philippine Madrigal Singers and renowned sopranos, The Nightingales, composed of Ms. Bernadette Mamauag and Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila, and Filipino violinist/vocalist, Mr. Joseph Brian Cimafranca performed at the Special Concert commemorating the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye Diplomatic Reception (Photo courtesy of Bunyamin Cicek).
The occasion continued with an after-event party with Filipino pop music from the 70s. The guests were given souvenir tote bags with the 75th logo design and a photo of the Chocolate Hills from Bohol. The tote bags contained Cebu-brand dried mangoes and coconut chunks donated by Profood International Corp, a Filipino company.
Photo: Guests of the Diplomatic Reception and Special Concert giving a round of applause to the performers (Photo courtesy of Bunyamin Cicek).
Landmarks in Türkiye illuminated with the Philippine flag to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2024 and the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-Turkiye Diplomatic Relations on 13 June 2024
This month, landmarks in major Turkish cities, the capital city Ankara and the financial capital Istanbul, lit up with the Philippine flag colors to mark the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June and the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Türkiye on 13 June.
Photo: Personnel from the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul pose with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet (FSM) Bridge on 12 June 2024 (Photo courtesy of Istanbul PCG).
On the evening of 12 June 2024 in Istanbul, two bridges connecting the city’s European and Asian side, lit up in the vibrant colors of blue, red, and white hues of the Philippine flag in celebration of the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The lighting of the bridges began at sundown and ended in the early morning of 13 June 2023.
Photo: Personnel from the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul pose with the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on 12 June 2024 (Photo courtesy of Istanbul PCG).
This year marks the first time that the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Istanbul’s third bridge) was illuminated in Philippine flag colors. While this historic event continued for the second time in the Fatih Sultan Mehmet (FSM) Bridge also known as Istanbul’s second bridge.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. (center), his family, and Embassy personnel pose in front of the Ankara Castle with the display of PH and TR flags. (Embassy photo)
Meanwhile in the capital city, the historic Ankara Castle in Ulus, Ankara, was illuminated with the Philippine and Turkish flags while the Twin Towers of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) both displayed the Philippine flag.
Photos: Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang Jr. and Third Secretary Vice Consul Angela Tolentino with the background of the PH Flag illuminated at the TOBB Twin Towers in Ankara. (Embassy photos)
In the Philippines historic landmarks were also lit up with the colors of the Turkish flag. illuminations were held at the Rizal Park, Metropolitan Theater, and the National Museum of Fine Arts on 13 June 2024.
The illumination project was made possible with the support and assistance of the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate an important milestone of Philippines-Türkiye relations.
The Philippines and Türkiye officially established diplomatic relations by signing a Treaty of Friendship on 13 June 1949 in Washington, DC. The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties. The Philippines is the oldest diplomatic partner of Türkiye in Southeast Asia.
Philippine Participation to the Samsun Culture Route Festival, 14 June 2024
The Philippine Embassy in Ankara participated in the Samsun Culture Route Festival, a nine-day event organized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the Black Sea province of Türkiye. The Philippine Artists, The Nightingales, composed of Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila and Ms. Bernadette Mamauag, and violinist Joseph Brian Cimafranca performed at the Samsun Atatürk Cultural Center on 14 June 2024.
Photo: Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila serenading the audience at Samsun as violinist Mr. Joseph Brian Cimafranca looks on (Photo courtesy of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism).
The trip and performance of the Philippine artists in the Samsun Culture Route Festival was made possible through the collaboration of the Embassy with the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Photo: Former Philippine Madrigal Singers and renowned sopranos, The Nightingales, composed of Bernadette Mamauag and Bianca Camille Aguila performing at the Samsun Culture Route Festival (Embassy photo).
First Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day, 16 June 2024
On 16 June 2024, the Philippine Embassy with the Filipino Community members in Ankara hosted the first Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day at the Meryem Ana church grounds in Birlik Mahallesi, Çankaya, Ankara. Over three hundred guests gathered at the event in celebration of the 1266h Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Philippines-Türkiye diplomatic relations and the National Migrant Workers’ Day.
The celebration started with a thanksgiving mass, consecrated by Apostolic Nuncio Bishop Marek Solczynski, Fr. Seraphin Kazadi, parish priest of Meryem Ana Church, and Fr. Michael McGuckian.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto thanks the Apostolic Nuncio H.E. Marek Solczynski, Fr. Seraphin Kazadi, parish priest of Meryem Ana Church, and Fr. Michael McGuckian. who celebrated the Holy Mass at the Meryem Ana Church for the Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day on the occasion of the 126th Philippine Independence Day, the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye diplomatic relations, and the National Migrant Workers’ Day. (Embassy photo)
The Eucharistic celebration was well-attended by the Philippine Embassy officers and staff led by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega, the event’s guest of honor, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) team from Lebanon, the Filipino community in Ankara, and the international churchgoers. The Meryem Ana Church Filipino choir led the singing of the mass songs.
After the thanksgiving mass, the event continued at the church grounds with the parade, games, cultural program, and the special concert of the Philippine-based Filipino soprano duo, The Nightingales, composed of Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila and Ms. Bernadette Mamauag, both former members of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, and violinist/vocalist Joseph Brian Cimafranca, as the highlight of the event.
Ambassador and Mme. Henry S. Bensurto Jr, DFA Usec. Eduardo Jose De Vega, and Labor Attache Alejandro Padaen (on the stage) with the Filipino cultural performers after the parade on the celebration of the First Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day on the occasion of the 126th Philippine Independence Day, the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-Türkiye diplomatic relations, and the Migrant Workers’ Day.
The parade was participated by the Embassy officials, Undersecretary De Vega, the MWO Lebanon team headed by Labor Attaché Alejandro Padaen, the Filipino community leaders from Ankara and Istanbul, the cultural performers, the winning volleyball team – Pure Energy, and last on the line were the princesses or sagalas of Santacruzan, whose Reyna Elena came all the way from Istanbul.
Photos: Guests partake of the Filipino delicacies prepared by the Philippine Embassy and the FIlipino community in Ankara. (Embassy photos).
Guests savoured Filipino food delicacies prepared by the Embassy and the Filipino community groups in Ankara. The guests tasted a variety of Pinoy food such as adobo, barbecue, pancit (Filipino noodles), lumpiang shanghai (spring rolls), spaghetti, pandesal (Filipino bread rolls), and pichi pichi (Filipino dessert made from cassava) and palamig (cold drink with gulaman jelly) for dessert.
Photos: The children participate in the famous Filipino games Pabitin and Pukpok Palayok (Embassy photos).
While guests were enjoying the food, the children participated in the popular Philippine games pukpok palayok (hit the claypot) and pabitin (hanging toys game). The fun and games were not limited just to the children, but kids-at-heart were also invited to play the game called, “Maria went to town.”
Photo: The princesses or “sagalas” of the Santacruzan began the cultural program with the Sinulog Dance. (Embassy photo)
During the cultural program the talented Filipinos in Ankara performed colorful numbers such as the Sinulog festival dance, tinikling, malong dance, pangalay dance, bulaklakan dance, Igorot dance, Una Kaya ethnic dance and the Rigodon De Honor dance.
Photo: The Filipino-Turkish youth perform the Philippines’ popular traditional dance Tinikling (Embassy photo)
The captivating voice of Ms. Cecile Pungyan in her rendition of a Visayan song entitled, “Rosas Pandan” also delighted the audience. Ms. Leahna Mae Guiritan, a Filipino youth in Ankara, showed her vocal prowess through her rendition of "Tagumpay Nating Lahat."
Photo: Filipino community members performing the Una Kaya ethnic dance (Embassy photo).
In the spirit of ASEAN brotherhood, the Embassy also invited Indonesian students based in Kütahya, Türkiye to join the event. The Indonesians demonstrated martial arts techniques of silat while performing a breath-taking fire show. The Embassy also invited members of the Arnis Spor Kulubu, based in Istanbul, who performed a demonstration of Arnis, a Filipino Martial Arts. The cultural program ended with community dancing of the Turkish Halay, a traditional dance of Türkiye. Guests of different ages, backgrounds, and nationalities enjoyed dancing together.
Photos: The guests of the Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day dancing the Turkish Halay (Embassy photos)
The main program began with the Philippine and Turkish national anthems being sung by the Meryem Ana Church Filipino choir and the Filipino youth.
Photo: Ms. Leahna Mae Guiritan, a Filipino youth in Ankara, and a budding artist, performing her rendition of Tagumpay Nating Lahat (Embassy photo).
In his speech, Ambassador Bensurto expressed gratitude to the people and organizations who supported the Embassy in holding the first-ever Filipino-Friendship Turkish Day, especially the Filipino community, and lauded the talent of the Filipinos. He also thanked the Filipino community for their efforts and sacrifices. He also explained the importance of commemorating the 126th Philippine Independence Day—the birth of our nation.
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. welcomes the guests of the first Filipino-Friendship Turkish Day at the Meryem Ana Church grounds, Cankaya, Ankara. (Embassy photo).
“One hundred twenty six years ago, finally we had a name: Filipino. Because that was the day when the nation was born. Because of the sacrifices of our forebears, now we have a name. We are Filipinos, and Filipinos we are wherever we are situated. And wherever FIlipinos are, the Philippine flag continues to rise, because every Filipino is a flag,” he said.
Ambassador Bensurto also underscored the essence of celebrating the milestone of the Philippines-Türkiye relations.
“Today is also a milestone because we are celebrating, from hereon, the Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day, the forging of our two peoples, because diplomacy means people-to-people,” he remarked.
At the end of his speech, the Ambassador invited the Filipino youth and the audience to recite the Spark*Connect*Empower battlecry, “Pinay Ako, Taas Noo, Pinoy Ako, Proud Ako!”
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo José de Vega addresses the crowd at the first Filipino-Friendship Turkish Day held on 16 June 2024 at the Meryem Ana Church grounds, Cankaya, Ankara. (Embassy photo).
In his speech, Undersecretary de Vega, the guest of honor, assured the Philippine government’s readiness to assist Filipinos abroad and those who would like to go home for good to avail of the government’s reintegration program. He also commended the bayanihan spirit of the FIlipinos in Türkiye, especially on how they helped their fellow countrymen who were affected by the great earthquake in Türkiye last year.
Filipino soprano duo “The Nightingales” composed of Ms. Bianca Camille Aguila and Ms. Bernadette Mamauag, and violinist Brian Cimafranca perform a medley of FIlipino folk songs at the Filipino–Turkish Friendship Day held on 16 June 2024 at the Meryem Ana Catholic Church grounds, Birlik, Cankaya, Ankara. (Embassy photo)
After the speeches, guests were serenaded by the highlight artists of the main program, The Nightingales and violinist/vocalist Mr. Joseph Brian Cimafranca. The artists performed an array of Filipino folk songs, timeless Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hits and pop songs. The talented FIlipino community actively sang along with the artists, especially the songs from their native language.
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. presents plaques of appreciation to The Nightingales and violinist/vocalist Joseph Brian Cimfranca at the end of the Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day on 16 June 2024, at the Meryem Ana Catholic Church, Cankaya, Ankara. Looking on are DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose Vega, guest of honor, Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, Matthew Bensurto, and Consul Rachel Anne Oronce of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul.
To first-ever Filipino-Turkish Friendship Day ended with Ambassador Bensurto presenting Plaques of Appreciation to the three artists who have showcased the best of the FIlipino talent in Türkiye and who played a big part in making the commemorative events memorable and successful.
Bringing Government Closer to the People: Visit of Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega to Detained Filipinos on 13 June 2024 and Related Meetings
As the Filipinos back home and abroad celebrate the hard-earned freedom our forefathers fought for, we must not forget those who are incarcerated and are unable to enjoy the freedom to be with their family and loved ones during this time. For this reason all the more it is important to bring the Philippine government closer to those who cannot physically come to the office for services.
As part of the Philippine Embassy's Independence Day activities, the Embassy arranged the visit of Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega to the six (6) Filipino seafarers detained in a penitentiary in Ankara on 13 June 2024. The Filpinos have been charged with alleged drug-related offenses while onboard a vessel which docked in Türkiye.
Photo: Undersecretary de Vega (far left), Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. (far right), meet with penitentiary officials (Embassy Photo)
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. joined Undersecretary de Vega in meeting the Filipino seafarers to check on their condition and assure them of the assistance of the Philippine government. The Ambassador and Undersecretary also met penitentiary officials to ensure the welfare of the detained Filipinos. They were given a tour of the living quarters and saw the humane conditions of the penitentiary.
Photo: Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega with his Turkish counterpart Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin Ekrem Serin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 13 June 2024 (Photo courtesy of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
The case of the seafarers was also raised during the meeting of the Undersecretary with his Turkish counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin Ekrem Serim in the afternoon of 13 June 2024. The Turkish side discussed the legal proceedings of the case and assured the Philippine side of the justice system in Türkiye.
During the meeting, the Undersecretary de Vega also requested the Turkish government's assistance to Filipinos in the region, should the need arise. The two sides discussed migration concerns, including illegal migration and combating human trafficking.
Photo: Undersecretary de Vega with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Gerard Karl Waite (3rd from right), Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. (2nd from right), Consul General Juan E. Dayang, Jr. (far left), IOM Deputy Chief of Mission Claudia Natali (2nd from left) and OMWA Acting Director Lemuel C. Lopez (far right). (Embassy Photo)
Addressing global migration and refugee issues were also discussed during the meeting of
Undersecretary de Vega with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Ankara Gerard Karl Waite on 14 June 2024 at the IOM Office in Ankara. The two sides discussed areas of cooperation that could be explored to address the migration needs of Filipinos in Türkiye.
The Philippine Embassy in Ankara will continue to provide assistance to all Filipinos in Türkiye and bring government closer to the people. The Embassy will continue to monitor the case of the Filipino seafarers and ensure that their rights are protected until the time that they are finally reunited with their loved ones and regain their freedom, or kalayaan. END.
