The Philippine Consulate General in Macau hosted a celebration for the country’s Independence Day yesterday at a packed Clube Militar and featured performances from the local Filipino community.
Philippine Independence Day falls on June 12.
Philippine Consul-General Porfirio M. Mayo Jr. told The Macau Post Daily that the event was a “landmark celebration of our 125th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence, a major milestone for us, for our government and our people, [and] our nationhood”.
“We are proud to represent the Philippines here in Macau”, particularly the “hardworking [Filipino] community” in the city, noting that the consulate wants them to feel honoured by the Philippine flag flying proudly in the city.
Moreover, in a speech among other points he highlighted was thanking Macau’s civil society for “spreading out its mantle of hospitality to welcome Filipinos and other migrant communities here, who add vibrancy and colour” to the multicultural city.
He also pointed out that lately the celebration of Filipino festivals in the city has seen the participation of other migrant communities. “We, as a growing migrant community, are grateful for the support of Macau’s government of lending its venues and other resources for cultural events as part of Macau’s overall strategy towards a goal of strengthening its image as an international city”.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon, a guest of honour at the event who attended on behalf of Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, said in a speech that through a long history Macau and the Philippines have developed a relationship “which we cherish very much”.
“We deeply appreciate the valuable contribution of the Filipino community to the development of Macau. The Macau government is committed to building an inclusive society, where different communities can live peacefully and happily. Based on the past, the Macau Government hopes that our relationship will go further and deeper, especially in the area of personal exchanges and economic cooperation”, he noted.
More events can enable more ‘collaboration and understanding’
Meanwhile, Caritas Macau’s Secretary General Paul Pun Chi Meng, who was also present at the event, told The Macau Post Daily that having more activities organised by Filipino communities or in partnership with local associations are important, adding: “These kinds of intercultural exchanges will enable collaboration and understanding”.
He noted that working with the Filipino community, which he described as friendly and willing to share their thoughts and talents, and organising events with them is a good opportunity for Macau’s civil society to “enhance improvement” as well as allow one to see things from the perspective of a different culture and nationality.
Pun added that there is also much to learn from different aspects of the Filipino culture, which might also offer different opportunities for enrichment.
Philippine Consul-General Porfirio M. Mayo Jr. (left) and Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon share a toast during yesterday’s Independence Day celebration at Clube Militar. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
A singer performs during yesterday’s Philippine National Day celebration.
Filipinos perform a folk dance at yesterday’s Philippine Independence Day celebration.
