The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok celebrated the 120th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence by hosting a diplomatic reception on 12 June 2018 at the Shangri-la Hotel on the banks of the Chao Praya River.
The reception was attended by key Thai government officials, ambassadors and the diplomatic corps, prominent Thai business people, officials from international organizations in Bangkok, as well as guests from the academe, media and the Filipino community.
Philippine Ambassador Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon with National Legislative Assembly Members Anusart Suwanmongkol (far left) and Khunying Songsuda Yodmani (3rd from left), Anatchai Rattakul, Board Member of the Steering Network-National Reform Council (2nd from left), and Privy Councillor Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya with spouse Thanpuying Oranush Israngkun na Ayuthaya (flanking the Ambassador)
Ambassador Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon with Members of the Diplomatic Corps
In her remarks, Ambassador Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon shared this year’s Independence Day theme, “Change We Fought For, An Offering to an Abundant Future,” citing the Build Build Build Program and the recently signed Ease of Doing Business Act. She also highlighted the excellent relations between the Philippines and Thailand, which marked 69 years on 14 June 2018.
After the formal program, guests were invited to partake of a generous buffet that included Filipino delicacies like crispy pata, Pinoy chicken barbecue, Batangas adobo, Ilocos empanada, bibingka, halo-halo and buko pandan. Musical entertainment was provided by noted Filipino tenor Dr. Ramon Acoymo, who rendered Filipino classics like Pakiusap and Dahil Sa Iyo, opera staples such as E lucevan le Stelle, Broadway hits from Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, as well as the jazz composition Still on My Mind by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Guests, particularly from the Filipino community, took turns posing before an intricate ice-carving of the Miag-ao Church in Iloilo, which is a UNESCO heritage site. Others had fun before the Kalayaan Photowall especially mounted by the Embassy for the occasion.
Some 400 guests joined the Philippine Embassy in celebrating Philippine National Day 2018.
