The virtual celebration was conducted through Zoom and on Facebook at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 13, Saipan time which is Saturday, 5 a.m., Manila time, and Friday, 6 p.m., June 12, Washington, D.C. time.
Philippine Honorary Consul to the CNMI Glicerio “Eli” DM Arago, second right, and his team of volunteers. From left, Ariel Mariano, Annamae Adaza, Honorary Consul Arago and Mario Mayuga. Not in photo is Ulysses Torres-Sabuco. Philippine Honorary Consul to the CNMI photo
The virtual celebration included a video tribute to Filipino front-liners in the Philippines, Caribbean, and the United States, including the CNMI, who have been working tirelessly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Philippine Honorary Glicerio “Eli” DM Arago and his team joined the Philippine diplomatic and consular missions in the United States and Caribbean in the virtual celebration.
This year’s theme was, “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan, at Ligtas (Toward a Free, United, and Safe Nation).”
“One hundred and twenty-two years ago, our forefathers proudly proclaimed the birth of the Filipino nation. Today we honor them for their bravery, heroism and sacrifice, and we thank them for the gifts of democracy and freedom,” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in a video message.
He added, “As we wage a united battle against Covid-19, we now have the opportunity to demonstrate that we possess the same gallantry of spirit and nobility of character as the heroes of our past. Let us now move forward with courage, hope and optimism as we overcome this pandemic.”
In a speech from Washington D.C., Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Miguel Romualdez said: “As we reflect on the significance of this year’s celebration, it is equally important to recognize the various ways and opportunities by which we can rally our communities to support and uplift one another during this unprecedented time of crisis.”
“Our [celebration] calls on the indomitable Filipino spirit to once again rise up to the challenges that the whole world is facing today, and together contribute towards building a brighter future for the Filipino people,” Ambassador Romualdez added.
The Philippines’ closest ally, the United States, joined the celebration with Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell delivering a message on behalf of the U.S. Also participating in the virtual ceremony were Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce and Alexander Feldman, chairman, president and CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.
The Philippines’ East Asian partners likewise joined the virtual celebration. Among them were the ambassadors of the Republic of Singapore, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Malaysia.
In the CNMI, joining Honorary Consul Arago in the celebration were his office’s key volunteers: Annamae Adaza, Ariel Mariano, Mario Mayuga, and Ulysses Torres-Sabuco.
Honorary Consul Arago said, “During this unprecedented time of crisis, our virtual celebration gave further emphasis on the importance that we all need to come together. As we honor the heroes of the past, whose heroism laid the foundation for the freedom that we enjoy today, we also pay our tribute to the heroes of the present day: the healthcare professionals, to include our healthcare workers in the CNMI, for their unsinkable spirit in waging war on an invisible enemy just to ensure that our community remains safe.”
The virtual 122nd Philippine Independence Day celebration in the United States was led by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, together with the Philippine Consulates General in Hagåtña, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
The celebration also highlighted virtual performances by Broadway Barkada’s Ester Barroso-Guerzon and Roy Flores.
