This year's celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence marks several "firsts" in the history of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR.
For the first time in the Consulate's history, the Independence Day reception on 9 June 2015 was graced by three Department Secretaries from the Hong Kong Government, namely: Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen, as the Hong Kong Government's official representative, and Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung and Secretary for Education Eddie Ng as special friends of the Consulate. Professor Peter Mathieson, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), also attended the event.
Held at the HKU's Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, it is also the first time that the Consulate held the reception at a university.
For its part, it is also the first time for HKU to serve as a venue for a national day reception.
Moreover, the performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ (MADz) at the HKU Grand Hall after the reception was the first-ever major concert by a foreign choral group held at the said venue.
During her reception speech, Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla highlighted the Philippines’ steady economic growth, as well as tourism as a special growth sector which complements the country’s Visit the Philippines 2015 tourism campaign.
Consul General Catalla also underscored the robust economic partnership between the Philippines and Hong Kong, and the Filipino Community’s contribution to the Hong Kong economy and society.
Guest of honor, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen, emphasized the strong bilateral trade between the Philippines and Hong Kong in his speech, and looked forward to the signing of the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement.
More than 400 guests from the diplomatic corps, business community, academe and civil society participated in the celebration.
Popular Filipino dishes such as Cebu-style lechon (suckling pig), halo-halo shooters and chicken adobo specially prepared by Hotel ICON were served during the reception. Destileria Limtuaco and San Miguel Beer provided refreshing beverages, and Del Monte filled the dessert station with assorted tropical fruits from the Philippines.
Prize draws from Genting Hong Kong Ltd. and Philippine Airlines drew cheers from the crowd. Guests also took home rainsticks made in Southern Philippines courtesy of SMART Pinoy and PLDT-Hong Kong.
The HKU Grand Hall, the venue of the MADz concert, is currently considered as the best concert hall in Hong Kong with the finest acoustics and impressive sight lines for the audience. As a teaser to the concert, a MADz quartet sang the Philippine national anthem at the cocktail reception. The Hong Kong concert is part of the MADz’s China Tour which started in Chongqing, followed by Shanghai and Xiamen, and finally, Hong Kong.
The Consulate partnered with HKU-Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) under its SERVICE 100 Domestic Workers Empowerment Project for the concert which also served as a tribute to the OFWs participating in the project.
On 10 June, the MADz performed at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center also in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, and the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations. The mini-concert was supported by HK Friends of MADz.
The Consulate’s culminating event was a Breakfast Celebration for the Filipino Community on 12 June at the Consulate’s Public Area. During the event, the Independence Day messages from President Benigno S. Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar C.Binay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario and Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda D. Baldoz were read by Consulate officials. Representatives from the religious community also said prayers in celebration of Independence Day.
The Breakfast Celebration’s highlight was Consul General Catalla’s review of the Consulate’s projects, challenges and initiatives in the past year. She particularly thanked the members of the Filipino Community for their support and partnership in effectively implement the Consulate’s services.
The Filipino Community and other guests were treated to a sumptuous Filipino breakfast prepared by Consul General Catalla herself.
