Balagtasan and patriotic art enrich Philippine Independence Day celebration in Chongqing
12 June 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the United Filipinos in Chongqing (UFC) today staged a day-long program celebrating the 124th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Mountain and the City in Nan’an, Chongqing.
The Filipino community’s children led the singing of the national anthem while Consul General Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo reflected on this year’s Independence Day theme Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas in her opening remarks. “In the face of uncertainties looming along the post-pandemic road, let us look back to what we have lived through as a people and be filled with the hope that powers our collective resilience. Filipinos possess the internal “apps” to navigate this new beginning. Tap on it,” she said. Consul General Mayo also took the opportunity to recognize the significant accomplishments of the Duterte administration and to appreciate the peaceful transfer of power to incoming President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on 30 June 2022.
Following the reading of the Independence Day messages of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., the Consulate conducted its 2nd Quarter Filipino Community Fellowship where Consul General Mayo rendered her Ulat sa Bayan while Vice Consul Adrian G. Miras presented important consular reminders.
Consul Mayo then proceeded to open the Kalayaan Art Exhibit with the theme Pilipinas Kong Mahal. A total of 19 original artworks were proudly displayed as an expression of the participants’ fondest memories of Filipino life and deepest affection for the homeland.
A special boodle fight lunch and community parade were among the merriest highlights of the occasion. A Balagtasan proved to be the biggest cultural treat of the day with members of the UFC engaging in a verbal joust on the question “Dapat ba o hindi dapat na mangibang bansa ang taong may pamilyang maiiwan?” Not to be outdone, other Filipino groups namely the CQ Warriors, the Engineers’ Group and the CQ Filipino Teachers all took centerstage to do what Filipinos do best: sing, dance and act.
The celebration culminated in a community rendition of the song Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
“Once again, the true Filipino spirit of bayanihan powered this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration in Chongqing, notwithstanding persistent pandemic-related challenges. Kalayaan 2022 was an occasion to further appreciate the talent, the grit and the generosity of Filipinos overseas, particularly the members of the Filipino community in Chongqing. To them, we are ever so grateful for some of the finest expressions of Filipino identity in China,” Consul General Mayo remarked. END