PRESS
RELEASE
June 2003
INDEPENDENCE DAY ACTIVITIES
The Philippine Consulate is pleased to announce that several activities will be held to commemorate this
year's 105th anniversary of Philippine Independence. This year's theme is "Sa Matatag na
Republika: Bayan Ko, Sagot Ko".
On June 8, a special program organized by the Philippine Association of HK in cooperation with the
Consulate will be held at Chater Road from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Holy Mass will kick-off the ceremony
at 9:00 a.m. followed by ecumenical prayer to be led by Jesus Is Lord Church, Helpers of Islam, Muslim
Welfare Association and Iglesia Ni Kristo.
Coinciding with the Migrant Workers Week (1-7 June 2003), the event is intended to pay tribute to the
Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong. The theme for this year's Migrant Workers celebration is "Dakilang OFW: Dangal ng Pilipinas". A ceremony honoring this year's three Bagong Bayani Awardees -
Ms. Amelita Deslate, President of Federation of Visayan Associations, Ms. Cleofe Torrado, President of
Alcalanians Overseas Workers Association, and Ms. Thelma Dumale, Chairman of Bayanihan Coordinating
Council, will be one of the highlights of the event. Other awardees such as Ms. Caridad Bachiller of
Abra-Tinguian Group (Bayani sa Asya Pasipiko) and the National Organization of Professional Teachers
(Banaag) will also be honored during the program.
Several Filipino community organizations are also contributing special numbers during the cultural
presentation,segment. The Consul General will deliver her independence day message as well as those of
President Arroyo, Foreign Secretary Blas Ople and other Philippine officials.
An On-the-Spot art contest will be sponsored by the Consulate and will be held at the Chater Road on thesame day from 10 am to 12 noon. Open to all children aged 8-14 years, contestants can use their preferred
medium (charcoal, watercolor, oil, etc.) but must bring their own materials. The theme, board ofjudges and
criteria for judging will be announced before the contest.
The Consulate is also sponsoring an Essay writing contest with the theme, "Sa Matatag na
Republika: Bayan Ko, Sagot Ko". Contestants must submit their entries in Filipino in 3 copies, with their name, address, tel.
and fax and passport copy. The entries must be in typewritten or computer-printed form and must not exceed
2,000 words. Deadline for submission of entries is 6 June 2003.
The awarding of prizes for both contests will be held on 8 June at the Chater Road. Winners will receive
cash prizes and gift items. Inquiries on the competition can be directed to the
following Consulate personnel: Consul Lucenario (28238504), Tony Baldovino (28238533), or Anjhie Aguilar (28238536).
In the morning of 12 June, the Philippine Consulate is organizing a solemn ceremony in observance of our
national day at the Morrison Hill Road Playground, the site where the first Philippine flag was sewn. The
program will include wreath-laying, reading of the memoirs of Dona Marcela Agoncillo, speeches by the
representative of the HKSAR Government and the Consul General, and morning tea. Other invited guests
include the HKMU Brass Band, the PNB Choir and leaders of various regional Filipino community
organizations in Hong Kong.
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