The Philippines’ doves of peace soaring high and free in Hawaii skies
The Philippine Consulate General building, a character 2-storey plantation-style villa built in 1905, with its tall columns and wide upstairs balcony resembling the ancestral home of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite el-Viejo, provided a picturesque backdrop for the “Kalayaan 2009” celebrations with the re-enactment of the reading of the 1898 Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the unfurling of the Philippine flag, and the singing of “Lupang Hinirang.”
Photo on right: Dr. Raymund Liongson, Mr. Eugene Asuncion and Mr. Ronald Ching re-enacting the proclamation of the 1898 Philippine Independence at the Consulate balcony
Consul Paul Raymund P. Cortes gave a heartfelt and moving rendition of “Ang Bayan Ko.” Towards the end of the song, 21 white “doves of peace” were released into the blue skies of Hawaii, in proud celebration of the Philippines’ one hundred and eleven years of independence and democracy.
Consul General Ariel Y. Abadilla read the Independence Day Messages of President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo and Secretary Alberto G. Romulo to members of the Filipino- American community including Filipino WWII Veterans, Knights of Rizal, students and young children who attended the early morning program.
Photo on left: Doves soar into the skies as Consul General Ariel Y. Abadilla, (second from left) Consul Paul Raymund Cortes (singing ‘Ang Bayan Ko”) Filcom members and Consulate staff watch.
The Official Program was capped with a Thanksgiving Mass and a morning merienda for all attendees. The Independence Day Ball, dubbed “Freedom Bash 2” was held in the evening at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel and attended by some 440 guests.