PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN PORTUGAL HOSTS DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROCLAMATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
02 July 2023, LISBON - The Philippine Embassy in Portugal commemorated the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence by hosting a diplomatic reception on 21 June 2023 at the Altis Grand Hotel in Lisbon.
The theme of this year’s Philippine Independence celebration is “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan (Freedom, Future, History).”
The reception was graced by more than 200 guests, including Portuguese officials, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders and representatives of the business community, the academe, and the Filipino community in Portugal.
Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Celia Anna M. Feria, highlighted in her remarks the long-standing cordial relations between the Philippines and Portugal and their shared history, which has become an essential platform for bringing forward the mutual interests of both countries. Ambassador Feria stressed that “through understanding and embracing our history, we have gained a clearer vision of our future—a future where the Philippines and Portugal stand side by side as partners in progress and champions of peace.”
Ambassador Feria also emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy in continuing to raise the Philippine identity in Portugal. “Through the Embassy’s cultural activities and events, interest in the Philippines and its culture has grown in Portugal, fostering appreciation and greater understanding between our two nations and people,” said Ambassador Feria.
As a result of the Philippine Embassy's efforts to promote Philippine culture and heritage, it has produced six publications on Philippine history in collaboration with the Centro de Humanidades of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (CHAM), one of the largest Portuguese academic research centers in the country. The Philippine Embassy has also organized academic conferences and seminars that have furthered the understanding of historical topics of interest shared by both the Philippines and Portugal.
“By bringing together our scholars with diverse perspectives and expertise, we have enriched our understanding of the past and deepened our appreciation for the complexities of historical phenomena. As a result, we have come to the conclusion that the Philippines are, in fact, the Islands Beyond the Empire,” said Ambassador Feria.
In her remarks, Ambassador Feria thanked the Portuguese government for its long- standing friendship, support, and for the opportunity to expand bilateral relations and collaborate in finding new areas of cooperation.
Another highlight during the diplomatic reception was the performance of Dr. Raul Sunico, a world-renowned Filipino pianist who played “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” (Philippines, My Love), composed in the Kundiman style by Franciso Santiago and widely regarded as one of the most patriotic songs in the Philippines.
The Embassy also gave away 20 copies of the first Portuguese pocketbook edition of Dr. Jose Rizal's iconic novel, Noli Me Tangere, published by Penguin Random House Portugal. By making this novel accessible in Portuguese, it opens doors for cross-cultural dialogue and fosters a deeper connection between the Philippines and the 280 million Portuguese language readers worldwide.
Clockwise from the upper left, the photo shows the team from CHAM and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, responsible for the first Portuguese translation of the pocketbook edition of the Noli Me Tangere, posing with the life-sized image of Dr. Jose Rizal; A Fil-Portuguese couple from Porto posing with the Portuguese pocket book edition of the Noli Me Tangere, Filipino kakanins (traditional rice cakes) decorated with the image of Dr. Jose Rizal; 20 pieces of the Portuguese pocket book edition of the Noli Me Tangere were given away to lucky guests, along with “loot bags” containing assorted Filipino products that were distributed to each of the guests present.
Guests had the opportunity to experience traditional Filipino cuisine, which included serving popular dishes like adobo, pancit, and lumpia, as well as delectable desserts like cassava, pastillas and polvoron. END.
Top photo shows Ambassador Feria with members of the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon and special guest Dr. Raul Sunico, who rendered the piece Pilipinas kong Mahal on the piano; Bottom photo shows the internationals volunteers of the 2023 World Youth Day, which will be held in Lisbon from 1-6 August 2023. Flanking Ambassador Feria on her left is Ambassador Ana Martinho, former Diplomatic Adviser to Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, now head of the Volunteers for WYW 2023; and on the Ambassador’s right is the lone Philippine volunteer to WYD 2023, Audrey Cricille.
