Filipina Dancer Stars in “Sleeping Beauty” during the 7th Anniversary of Philippine-
Spanish Friendship Day in Barcelona
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06 July 2009 - The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G.
Romulo that the Ballet Sta. Coloma de Gramenet-David Campos staged a special presentation of Peter Ilyich
Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet “Sleeping Beauty” at the famed Gran Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona, with Filipina
Elline Damian starring in the lead role of Princess Aurora.
The company, which was founded years ago by Catalan dancer David Campos and his Filipina wife, the
former ballet dancer Irene Sabas, has recruited and developed the skills of talented dancers discovered in the
Philippines. Among the company’s Filipino talents was Elline Damian, who was brought to Spain five years
ago and has risen to be the principal soloist of the group.
Other Filipino talents who starred in the acclaimed production were Aileen Gallinera, who played the Queen of
the Fairies, and Eduardo Espejo, who played the part of the Blue Bird.
Consul General Eduardo Jose A. de Vega and Vice Consul Arman R. Talbo were among the guests of honor
along with various Catalan officials and personalities at this special performance, which was appropriately
held during the 7th Anniversary of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day last 30 June 2009.
Ms. Sabas, who is now Assistant Director and Ballet Mistress of the company, stated afterwards that the
company was honored by the presence of the Philippine consular officials, while Consul General de Vega
joined her in praising the truly world-class talent of Filipino performers. The Consul General also hailed the
company’s decision to stage the performance on such an important day for Philippine-Spanish relations, to
which Ms. Sabas replied that “it was indeed a pleasure to have staged this ballet on Philippine-Spanish
Friendship Day, since the idea of commemorating this special day was promoted by Senator Edgardo Angara,
a great patron of the Philippine Ballet Theater.”
The Ballet Sta. Coloma de Gramenet-David Campos continues to recruit and discover Filipino dancing talents,
and plans and preparations are being coordinated with Spanish and Filipino diplomatic and other officials as
well as private sponsors for future special performances and projects in both Spain and the Philippines
(photos by Jesus Vallinas). END
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Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong Commemorates 111th Anniversary of
Philippine Independence
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06 July 2009 - The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region kicked off the
celebrations for the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence with a flag-raising ceremony in its premises
on June 12.
The program consisted of the singing of the Philippine national anthem, an ecumenical prayer, reading of
Independence Day messages, and a video presentation on notable Filipino achievements in the world.
The morning event was capped by a salu-salo of Filipino traditional dishes shared between the Consulate
General and members of the Filipino community.
A reception hosted by Consul General Claro S. Cristobal for Hong Kong’s Consular Corps, guests and
businessmen from the Filipino community at the Island Shangri-la Ballroom became the highlight of the June
12 celebrations.
Consul General Cristobal underscored the strengthening relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong
and the Filipino community’s achievements and contributions to this world city. The more than 270 guests
were treated to live singing performances and traditional Filipino dances as well as an array of Filipino cuisine
and drinks.
The Consulate, in coordination with the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, organized a day-long festivity for
the Filipino community on June 14 consisting of the following activities:
a) an Interfaith Prayer Service in Harcourt Garden led by various religious leaders in Hong Kong, namely:
Grace of Jesus Fellowship, Chaplaincy for Migrant Filipinos, Muslim Filipino Community, International
Christian Assembly, Lifeway Full Gospel Church, Filipino Baptist Church, International Christian Assembly
Filipino Ministries, Jesus is Lord Church Hong Kong, Couples for Christ, Aglipayan Church, Church of God,
Revival Christian Church Global Outreach and the Methodist International Church-Hong Kong prayed for the
nation, peace and unity, racial harmony, Government and Church leaders, Overseas Filipino Workers, the
Filipino family and youth, righteousness and social justice, and economic development;
b) Over 2,000 Filipinos, dressed in Filipiniana attire, participated in an Independence Day Parade from
Harcourt Garden, Admiralty to Chater Road in Central which lasted for almost two hours.
c) Eight Filipino associations, representing various regions and livelihood organizations in the Philippines and
Hong Kong, set up exhibits along Chater Road in Central. The booths utilized native Filipino crafts, furniture
and apparel in their designs.
d) Thirteen Filipino associations performed various Filipino dances, such as the Singkil, Banga dance, B’laan
dance, KUratcha and Tinikling, in the “Sulong pa rin ang Pinoy” Cultural and Variety Show held in Chater Road,
Central.
Upon reaching Chater Road in Central Hong Kong, the crowd had swelled to approximately 5,000. The day-
long festivity and sheer number of the overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong’s Central Business District generated
such interest that it was visited by tourists and Hong Kong residents and was even reported by local TV and
print media.
The Consulate also set up a HK-PCG integrated booth along with attached agencies POLO-OWWA, Pag-Ibig
and SSS along Chater Road to provide basic services to the Filipinos in the area. Post’s mobile Overseas
Absentee Voting Registration counters processed 254 new applicants. END
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RP Embassy in Athens Hosts Philippine Independence Day Reception
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6 July 2009 –Philippine Ambassador to Greece Rigoberto Tiglao hosted a diplomatic reception in Nicosia,
Cyprus to celebrate the 111th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 24.
Joining Ambassador Tiglao in hosting the reception were Mrs. Getsy Tiglao, Nicosia Consul a.h. Mrs.
Shemaine A. Bushnell-Kyriakides, and her husband Alexis Kyriakides.
Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias and Mrs. Elsie Christofias led the guests in congratulating the
Philippines on its national day.
Other guests who graced the well-attended event were resident ambassadors in Nicosia, including US
Ambassador Frank C. Urbancic, Jr.; Ambassador of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav D. Shumskiy; officials
of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and prominent Cypriot businessmen.
It was the first time that a diplomatic reception to celebrate the anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine
independence was held in Cyprus. END
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RP Consulate General in San Francisco Outreach Mission Returns to Colorado
Springs
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6 July 2009 - The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco conducted its second consecutive consular
outreach mission to Colorado Springs on 25-28 June in close partnership with the Filipino-American
Community of Southern Colorado.
The “Consulate on Wings” team to Colorado Springs was led by Deputy Consul General Wilfredo C. Santos
and composed of Misses Vicky Mendez and Helen Comullo, and Mr. John Jiao. It was the seventh outreach
mission organized by the Post for 2009.
The outreach activity in Colorado Springs was held at the Nanay Betty’s Filipino Restaurant owned and
operated by Ms. Maribeth Groover and her husband Mr. Plenty Groover who graciously provided the spacious
venue for the 3-day outreach mission.
“The large turnout of applicants during our outreach mission to Colorado Springs exceeded our expectations,”
Deputy Consul General Santos said.
“This only shows the strong ties of our kababayans in Colorado for the Philippines. We are pleased to have
brought directly our services to them,” he added.
The overwhelming response and participation of the Fil-Ams in Colorado and nearby areas represents the
growing Filipino communities all over the United States. Under its work program, the Philippine Consulate
General in San Francisco has stepped up its consular outreach missions to the different cities within the 10
northwestern states under its jurisdiction to conduct consular services, such as renewal of Philippine
passports, legalization of documents, processing of applications for dual citizenship, and conducting the oath-
taking ceremony for new dual citizens.
While in Colorado Springs, the consulate team attended the Philippine Independence Day Celebration of the
Filipino Community of Southern Colorado held at the Founders Park Recreation Center on 28 June. The event
was well attended by the local community including its prominent members, such as Lieutenant General (ret.)
Edward Soriano who once served as the highest ranking Filipino American in the US Army, and Coloraro State
Representative Dennis Apuan.
Deputy Consul General Santos, who spoke during the Independence Day Celebration, commended the
Filipino community members for being proud of their heritage and becoming successful in their own right.
“I am pleased that the Filipino American community in Colorado Springs has organized this event in
celebration of the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. This event showcases the best of our culture
and underscores the success and growing importance of Filipino Americans as a community in this part of
the United States. I am confident that all of you will continue to support our Motherland by visiting the
Philippines as tourists, investing in properties, sending your remittances back home, becoming dual citizens,
and registering and voting in next year’s elections,” he said.
A total of 261 services were rendered by the four-man consulate team in Colorado Springs. This includes the
processing of applications for dual citizenship (53), renewal of passports and issuance of travel documents
(87), legalization of documents (57), and other services (64). END
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