PH Missions in Geneva Mark 121st Independence Day with Secretary Locsin, Internationally-Acclaimed Filipino Pianist

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. welcomes the international and Filipino community in Geneva to the 121st anniversary of proclamation of Philippine Independence on 13 June 2019. (Geneva PM photo)

GENEVA 20 June 2019 — The Philippine Permanent Missions to the United Nations and to the World Trade Organizations in Geneva held its traditional diplomatic reception on 13 June 2019 to mark the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The event featured Foreign Affairs Secretary Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr.  as Guest of Honor, and a special performance of internationally-acclaimed Filipino pianist Dr. Raul Sunico.

“The Philippine Republic is a story of unceasing struggle for independence: to gain it, to keep it; to regain it when lost; and expand its freedom of action and scope. Following independence, the struggle continued as a striving for an independent foreign policy,” said Secretary Locsin in addressing the international community in Geneva.

More than 500 guests from the diplomatic corps, the United Nations office and specialized agencies and international organizations, leaders of the Filipino community in Geneva, and some Filipinos working at the United Nations attended the event.

The traditional reception was followed by a concert performance of internationally acclaimed Filipino pianist Dr. Raul Sunico, whose presence in Geneva was made possible by the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Deparment of Foreign Affairs’ the Office of Strategic Communications and Research-Cultural Diplomacy Division. The celebration was also realized in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO).

The concert’s program offered personally arranged pieces by Dr. Sunico and some Philippine songs such as “Buhat” and “Bato sa Buhangin.”

Philippine Embassies, Consulates General and Missions worldwide organize regular events to celebrate Philippine Independence. In Geneva and Vaud, the Philippine Mission and Consulate hold the traditional diplomatic reception as well as joint activities with the Filipino community in June. END

Dr. Raul M. Sunico performs for the international community in a special concert to celebrate the 121st anniversary of proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Geneva PM photo)

For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.