PHNOM PENH – Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh went ahead with plans to commemorate the 122nd anniversary of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2020.
Unlike previous years, however, this year’s celebration went online so that the 7,000 Filipinos in Cambodia can also take part in the event. The day started with a flag raising ceremony at the Embassy’s rooftop, broadcast live on the Embassy’s Facebook page. It was led by Ms. Myca Magnolia Fischer, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., and joined by other Embassy personnel and family members, as well as officers of the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI), the only formally-organized grouping of Filipinos in the Kingdom. Ms. Shaleemar Collado, a teacher in Phnom Penh, sang the Philippine national anthem a cappella, while SAMAPI President Mr. Romyr Libo-on led the recitation of the oath of allegiance to the flag. The formal proceedings included the reading of the message from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and watching the video message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. Ms. Collado sang another patriotic song entitled “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” (My Beloved Philippines).
In her welcome remarks, Ms. Fischer noted that though COVID-19 has caused untold hardship and suffering, “it also became an opportunity to prove our resilience, demonstrate generosity in spirit, and show the best in the Filipino.” She then commended SAMAPI for their fund-raising activities for the victims of the Taal volcano eruption and for those in Cambodia whose employment was severely affected by the pandemic. Ms. Fischer also recalled the activities organized by the Embassy in the past year, such as the Multi-agency Service Missions, consular outreach missions to various provinces, post-arrival orientation seminars, Khmer classes, Filipino classes for kids, movie showings, cooking demos, arnis classes, workshops on mental health, financial literacy, power dressing, and ending violence against women. She also recalled the first inter-denominational Christmas service for Filipinos in Cambodia. “As you can see, we have tried to support you not only through efficient and timely consular and ATN services, but we also cared for you culturally, physically, mentally, emotionally, professionally, financially, and even spiritually. With all these, can you have any doubt that we will not do our best to help you during these most trying times?”
Other related virtual activities and/or videos uploaded by the Embassy on its Facebook page included a special documentary on the life of Apolinario Mabini, the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines; a tribute to overseas Filipinos on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19; and a video greeting by the Teachers Learning Action Guild in Cambodia.
On the same day, digital postcards featuring some of the beautiful tourist attractions in the Philippines were sent out to some of the Embassy’s important contacts in Cambodian government and society.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the Embassy distributed care packages to 500 distressed Filipinos whose employment as teachers, casino workers, and garment factory workers were adversely affected by the pandemic. END
