Filcom joins Brunei National Silver Jubilee day parade
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03 March 2009 – The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and the members of the Filipino community,
in their distinctive and elegant Filipiniana attire and costumes, participated in the morning parade at the
Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas in celebration of the National Silver Jubilee Day of Brunei on
23 February. Mr. Hataman Paraman, leader of Muslim-Filipino Overseas Workers Association in Brunei, led
the more than 100 members of the Filipino community in the march past before His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanah Bolkiah. The Filipino contingent was one of over 100 groups that joined the parade. Other foreign
countries that took part in the event were India, Malaysia, Indonesia, as well as Chinese communities.
The Philippines’ participation in the parade was a way of expressing gratitude for the hospitality extended by
the Government and People of Brunei to Filipinos throughout the years. It also symbolized the active
involvement of Filipinos in Brunei’s national development programs. This is the seventh time that the Filipino
community members have been willingly and excitedly joining the National Day of Brunei Darussalam since
2003.
The Filipino contingent brought a smile of appreciation to His Majesty as they marched before him and
attracted the attention of the media covering the event, with their buri hats decorated in colors of the Philippine
flag donned over their Filipiniana attire.
After the parade, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez hosted a fellowship lunch at the Philippine Embassy
Chancery to thank the members of the Filipino community. In her remarks, Ambassador Benavidez stated that
“the members of the Filipino community continue to do our beloved country and people proud. Philippine
relations with the Bruneian people for the past 25 years and the next 25 years continue to be cemented
among our leaders, government officials, private sector representatives and at all levels of society.” The
presence and participation of the Filipino contingent during the 25th National Day Anniversary parade are
concrete manifestation of the close friendship and vital partnership that the Philippines has been enjoying
with Brunei Darussalam through the years. END
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Ambassador Gaa hosts reception to celebrate victory of Filipino WWII veterans in
the fight for recognition and benefits
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03 March 2009 - Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa hosted a reception at the Philippine
Embassy on 18 February 2009 to celebrate the victory of Filipino WWII veterans in their fight for recognition
and benefits. U.S. President Barack Obama recently signed into law a provision recognizing the military
service of Filipino veterans in WWII and providing them with lump sum benefits. The reception was also an
occasion to render thanks and appreciation to all those who have supported the cause of the veterans.
The reception was attended by Filipino veterans, leaders and members of the Filipino American community in
the Metro D.C. area, the media, and staffers of key supporters of the bill in the U.S. Congress such as
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Bob Filner. - END
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Philippine Embassy commemorates Filipino Veterans victory in fight for recognition
and benefits with wreath-laying ceremony
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03 March 2009 - To commemorate the victory of the Filipino World War II veterans in their fight to achieve
recognition and benefits for their military service and sacrifices, and to honor and acknowledge their courage
and perseverance in this long struggle to achieve justice, the Philippine Embassy conducted a wreath-laying
ceremony on 18 February 2009. Originally scheduled to be held at the Bataan-Corregidor marker at the World
War II Monument at the National Mall, the ceremony was moved indoors at the Philippine Embassy due to
inclement weather. END
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Filipino World War II Veterans thank President Arroyo for her support in the fight for
recognition and benefits
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3 March 2009 – Filipino WWII veterans expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for
standing by them in their long quest for justice and equity.
Speaking on behalf of the veterans, Celestino Almeda conveyed his deep appreciation to President Arroyo at
a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy to honor Filipino World War II veterans and to celebrate the
signing into law of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA contains provisions that
finally recognizes the military service of Filipino World War II veterans and provides them with lump sum
benefits.
Mr. Almeda is one of the most active lobbyists in Congress. The 92-year-old veteran also thanked all those
who helped make this victory possible namely, members of the Filipino community, officials in the Philippine
government, and the advocates and supporters of the bill in both Houses of the U.S. Congress.
Mr. Almeda expressed the joy that he felt on this momentous occasion and stated that he was happy with the
outcome.He told the gathered audience at the Embassy’s reception that “one cannot truly appreciate the light
if one has not been subjected to the darkness,” as he recounted the suffering and ordeal that he and his
fellow veterans experienced and witnessed during the war.
Mr. Almeda’s colleagues echoed his sentiments. Mr. Franco Arcebal of the American Coalition of Filipino
American Veterans, in a celebration held in Lake Street Park in Los Angeles, California, expressed his
appreciation for President Arroyo, Ambassador Willy Gaa, M/Gen. Delfin Lorenzana of the Embassy’s
Veterans Affairs Office, and the Consulate General of Los Angeles for their role and efforts in advancing the
cause of the Filipino WWII veterans. END
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Rep. Filner hosts reception at Capitol Hill to celebrate the victory of the Filipino WWII
Veterans
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03 March 2009 – Representative Bob Filner of California hosted a reception at the Cannon House Office
Building to celebrate the victory of the Filipino World War II veterans in their fight for recognition and benefits.
Held on 26 February 2009, the reception was attended by close to 90 people, comprised of leaders and
members of the Filipino community, veterans groups, legislative staffers, Embassy officials, and members of
the U.S.
During the reception, the champions and most dedicated supporters of Filipino WWII veterans in the U.S.
House of Representatives congratulated the veterans on their victory. The lawmakers also expressed their
appreciation for the Filipino veterans’ patience and faith amid efforts to accord them their well-deserved
recognition and benefits. END
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Iloilo Regional Consular Office celebrates 23rd Edsa 1 anniversary
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03 March 2009 – The Regional Consular Office in Iloilo commemorated the 23rd Anniversary celebration of
EDSA People Power 1 with a simple flag-raising ceremony in the regional consular office’s reception area
before it started processing applicants’ passport on 25 February 2009.
Photo shows Mrs. Rutas R. Patricio, Officer-in-Charge, leading the officers and staff together with the public in
singing the Philippine National Anthem. END
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Philippine Embassy in Abuja celebrates 23rd anniversary of Edsa People Power
Revolution
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03 March 2009 – Charge d’Affaires a.i. Alex V. Lamadrid of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja led embassy
officers and staff, together with their families and members of the Filipino community, in commemorating the
23rd Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on 25 February 2009.
The program began with a Holy Mass officiated by His Excellency, Most Reverend Renzo Fratini, Apostolic
Nuncio, followed by the reading of the Qu’ran, flag-raising ceremony, and Oath of Allegiance to the Philippine
flag at the Chancery grounds. After the brief ceremony, the embassy offered a simple breakfast to the
members of the Diplomatic Corps, Filipino community and Nigerian guests. END
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UNPOL Philippine Contingent of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
donates water boiler system to the training academy of Abkhazia, Georgia
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03 March 2009 – The United Nations Police-Philippine Contingent (United Nations Observer Mission in
Georgia – UNOMIG), on behalf of the UN Police, formally turned over to the Training Academy of Abkhazia two
units of 100-liter capacity Water Boiler System. The management, training staff and all the cadets expressed
their gratitude for the altruistic gesture and initiative done on behalf of the UNOMIG UN Police. The project
was led by UN Police Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana, Jr., head of the Philippine contingent who is
the Deputy Senior Police Adviser to UNOMIG.
The project started on 11 February 2009, with technical assistance provided by the engineering section of
UNOMIG Mission Support. Utilizing local labors, the installations were finally completed on 17 February, and
finally turned over on 19 February.
The US$700 project was realized due to the voluntary efforts of three UN Police officers from the Philippines,
in cooperation with the CORPS Movement Foundation, Inc. The Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit
organization committed to the transformation of police institutions in the Philippines and across Asia.
The project was identified based on initial consultations made by the UN Police with the Director of the
Training Academy in December 2008. During the consultations, the Director narrated how he would send his
cadets home on weekends to take their shower since the training facility did not have a hot water system. The
hot water system was considered the most urgent of a number of concerns raised by the Training Academy
namely, heating system, computers, internet connection, training assistance, among others.
Senior Superintendent Durana, Jr. raised the issue before the members of the Philippine contingent during a
meeting in Batumi, Georgia on 25 December 2008. The members unanimously agreed that they should
respond to this need and decided to voluntarily contribute the amount of US$500. The same concern was
also brought to the attention of the CORPS Movement Foundation, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Kalibo (Rotary
International), Aklan. The Foundation responded with a private contribution of US$200 while the Rotary Club
indicated their intention to join other projects in the future through the Rotary International. END
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