CELEBRATING THE 119TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE IN CHONGQING AND KUNMING
The Philippine Consulate General in Chongqing successfully and successively held Philippine Independence Day receptions in Chongqing and Kunming on 15 and 17 June 2017. Both were held at the Intercontinental Hotel in both places.
Prior to the receptions, the Consulate also held a Financial Literacy Seminar for the members of the Filipino community in Chongqing, Kunming and also in Chengdu, on 15, 17 and 18 June 2017 respectively. Atty. Jalilo dela Torre, Labor Attaché from POLO-Hong Kong SAR and PhilHealth NCR-South Manager, Dr. Bernadette Lico, shared with the Filipinos the various welfare programs available from their respective offices. Since Pag-IBIG Fund wanted to be part of the Program but could not be present, Post played an audio-visual presentation from them primarily on their MP2 Program (modified Pag-ibig investment program). Atty. De La Torre gave tips on how to be financially-literate, on OWWA services and benefits and on the OFW reintegration program, while Dr. Lico discussed PhilHealth’s insurance program and its benefits.
The Guest of Honor in the Chongqing celebration was Mr. Du Li Ming, Deputy Director General of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of Chongqing. The reception was held at the Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in Chongqing with over 100 guests in attendance, including officials from the Chongqing municipal government, members of the consular corps, contacts from the business, travel, media, cultural and academic sectors and members of the Filipino community.
After the messages were delivered and toasts were made to the further strengthening of Philippines-China relations, Mr. Du joined Consul General Palala in the traditional slicing of the national day cake.
A Filipino band, the Jamm Band, made up of spouses Michael and Charrie Te, provided lively entertainment while popular Filipino food like pork adobo, pancit habhab, lechon as well as Filipino desserts like bibingka, suman, and buko pie were served to the guests.
In Kunming, Chongqing PCG held a more subdued celebration in the company of members of the Filipino community there. But it was just as lively as the Chongqing celebration with song numbers being rendered by members of the Filipino community on the spot. As in Chongqing, a wide range of Filipino dishes were served to the guests, like green mango salad with pineapple and crispy pork, tuna fish-filled egg, crispy spring rolls with sweet chili sauce and roasted pork.
