Hundreds of Filipinos in Singapore gathered at the Philippine Bayanihan Centre on June 23, 2024, to celebrate the 126th Philippine Independence Day and the 55th anniversary of Philippines-Singapore diplomatic ties.
Singapore, June 23, 2024 – Hundreds of Filipinos living and working in Singapore, representing all ages and backgrounds, flocked to the Philippine Bayanihan Centre, to celebrate the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood. The first Filipino community-led Kalayaan celebration held after the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event adopted the theme “Fiesta sa Bayan ni Juan: Pagdiriwang ng Pagkakaibigan,” also commemorating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Singapore diplomatic ties. The National/Independence Day celebration relived the vibrant atmosphere of a Philippine fiesta.
Preparations for the event were handled exclusively by the Filipino community of Singapore. The organizing committee comprised leaders and key personalities from the Filipino community (FilCom) in Singapore who volunteered their personal time and resources to ensure the event’s success.
The day-long celebration allowed attendees to immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions of the Philippines. A wide range of activities designed to showcase the best of Filipino heritage were held. The fiesta kicked off with a parade featuring native attires and street dances from different regions of the Philippines, reminiscent of the country’s major festivals. Joining the parade were personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, led by Ambassador Medardo G. Macaraig, as well as members of the Fiesta organizing committee, led by Ms. Rochelle Deanna and Mr. Bienvenido Mania.
The parade was followed by an opening program held outdoors, where the audience enjoyed cultural shows, presentations from major sponsors, a special appearance by Filipino veteran actor-entrepreneur Mr. Joel Torre, and surprise numbers from Filipino movie and theater actress Ms. Pinky Amador and Ambassador Macaraig.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Macaraig expressed his appreciation for the unwavering bayanihan spirit of the Filipino community and its leaders, without which an event of the Fiesta’s magnitude would not have been possible. He also challenged the community to make the Fiesta a yearly tradition, so that Filipinos in Singapore can come together to celebrate Araw ng Kalayaan.
After the program, guests visited three Fiesta rooms at the Philippine Bayanihan Centre, each highlighting the rich heritage of the different ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines’ three largest islands – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These indoor presentations were made possible through the hard work and talent of various FilCom organizations in Singapore, which collaborated for weeks to bring their envisioned exhibits for their chosen regional groups to life.
Other activities of the Fiesta included an outdoor live band, Filipino games, an art contest, and raffle draws.
The Philippine Embassy extends its heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose support made this event possible. Their contributions are vital in bringing the spirit of the Philippines to life in Singapore.
Source: Philippine Embassy in Singapore
