The celebration started with the raising of the Philippine flag outside the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe at 7 a.m.
The Philippine Consulate General, the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration also acknowledged the awardees of the Tuloy Aral, or Continuing Education, Program in observance of Migrant Workers Day.
Philippine officials on Saipan read the Independence Day and Migrant Workers Day messages of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her other officials.
“Our forefathers have provided us the framework in which we shall fulfill our country’s destiny and we are now being called to fulfill the task of nation building,” said Olive Yana, United Filipino Organization president, in her remarks during yesterday’s program.
Arroyo, in her message read by Maximo, said “today is a day of remembrance and renewal. We remember the heroism and sacrifice of our forebears who laid the foundations for the establishment of Asia’s first republic in 1898. This is a democratic legacy which we as a state and as a nation should rightly be proud of and strive to further strengthen. Likewise, we renew the pledge to continue doing our part in building amore peaceful, progressive and prosperous Philippines.”
Yesterday’s ceremony was highlighted by the performance of the song “Sampaguita” by Michelle V. Villaraza and “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” and “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” by the Bayani Association.
Violette Ancheta and Rey Madrilejos served as masters of ceremony while Fr. Noli Aplarce led the invocation.
The program culminated in a breakfast served at the Filipino Workers Resource Center on the ground floor of the Marianas Busines Plaza.
