The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia Joins the Filipino Nation in Celebrating the 125th Declaration of Philippine Independence

PHNOM PENH, 16 June 2023 – The Embassy of the Philippines in Cambodia celebrated the 125th Declaration of Philippine Independence through a flag honoring ceremony held on 11 June and a diplomatic reception on 13 June.

The event on 11 June included a flag-raising ceremony followed by a holy mass at the Chancery of the Philippine Embassy attended by members of the Filipino Community along with Embassy personnel.

Ambassador Maria Amelita C. Aquino thanked the members of the Filipino community for gracing the occasion and for their hard work, especially with the challenges of being away from home.  After her remarks,  the messages of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. were read.

Participants joined the Embassy personnel in a simple Filipino breakfast after the ceremony. 

On 13 June, Ambassador Aquino hosted a diplomatic reception at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, wherein around 240 guests from the diplomatic corps,  the  Cambodian government, the business community, non-governmental organizations and other sectors, as well as from the Filipino community in Cambodia enjoyed a selection of Filipino dishes such as pancit (stir-fried noodles), lumpiang shanghai (chicken and shrimp spring rolls), and halo-halo (Filipino shaved ice dessert).

In her remarks, Ambassador Aquino cited the theme of the celebration, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” or “Freedom, Future, History.” She noted the Filipino forefathers’ vision of a strong and progressive Philippines, highlighting the progress in the reopening of major economic sectors and GDP growth of 7.6% in 2022 and 6.4% in the first quarter of 2023.  She also mentioned that “Our economic officials see the better-than-expected first quarter performance of our economy as indication of returning to our high growth trajectory despite the challenges and headwinds we faced.”

Ambassador Aquino also highlighted the continuing good relations between the Philippines and Cambodia, citing the recent bilateral and regional engagements between the two countries, including people-to-people ties most especially during the recently concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games hosted by Cambodia.

The Guest of Honor, His Excellency Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, also praised the strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and Cambodia evident in various sectors such as in defense and people-to-people exchanges, as well as congratulating the Philippines’ 125th Independence Day celebration. His Excellency Prak Sokhonn was accompanied by his spouse, Her Excellency Kheng Samvada, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

The reception also featured a musical performance of Filipino folk music played on the bandurria and guitar by Filipino teachers Ms. Myra Bangad and Mr. Antonio Elchico.

Philippine Airlines, through its country manager Mr. Henry Roque, raffled off two (2) roundtrip flight tickets (Phnom Penh - Manila - Phnom Penh) to one lucky winner among the invited guests as part of efforts to promote Philippine tourism in Cambodia.

Ambassador Aquino also attended as Guest of Honor an event organized by the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI) on 11 June at Nagaworld Hotel, in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. She delivered her remarks recognizing the role of overseas Filipinos, particularly in Cambodia, in nation-building and in uplifting the image of the Philippines in the country.  She also congratulated the members of the Filipino community who were recipients of  the  SAMAPI Pinoy Achievers Award 2023  for their outstanding contributions and achievements.

As part of the month-long celebration of the 125 anniversary of Philippine Independence, the Consular Section of the Embassy is also set to offer its services in Sihanoukville on 17-18 June (Saturday and Sunday) and in Phnom Penh on 18 June (Sunday), a Khmer Intermediate Language course beginning 26 June, as well as two seminars on Cambodian Immigration and Labor Laws set for 23 and 30 June, respectively, for the benefit of all overseas Filipinos in Cambodia. -- END