Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan reads his message for the 122nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence,
Sentro Rizal, Embassy of the Philippines Berne.
12 June 2020 - The Philippine Embassy in Switzerland commemorated the 122nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence with a flag ceremony at 08.00H at the Embassy grounds. The solemn event was led by Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan and was attended by Embassy officials and staff in Filipiniana attire.
The simple ceremony started with the unfurling of the Philippine tricolors, then followed by the singing of the Lupang Hinirang and the recital of the Panunumpa ng Watawat sa Pilipinas.
Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan also delivered his message to the Filipino Community in Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein. In his message he recognized that yet again after 122 years, our freedom has been threatened and the same call for unity resonated. He said, "We are once again threatened by a resounding menace – the threat from a faceless enemy engulfing the Philippines and the global community. This is a fight that we must face as a nation together".
Noting the challenges posed by the global pandemic to our every day lives, he called on to the Filipino community to be reminded of the value of freedom and responsibility. He emphasized mindfulness of others by saying, "Our situation now calls for mindfulness of others – mindful of ways to protect ourselves and keep others and the community safe"; and called the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos to heal as one "Let our faith and hope guide and unite us. … Let our discipline and cooperative spirit be ever present to achieve our goal of a COVID-19 free, safe and secure community".
Minister and Consul General Josephine M. Reynante reads the message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Minister and Consul General Josephine M. Reynante read the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, which called on "this generation of Filipinos to embody the strength of character of our martyrs of our past ... and take inspiration from our modern day heroes - healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel, essential workers and other front liners". First Secretary and Consul Princess U. Tomas-Tayao read the Independence Day message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr.
First Secretary and Consul Princess U. Tomas-Tayao reads the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr.
Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan (4th from left) and Madame Maria Theresa C. Lepatan (5th from left) lead the singing of Lupang Hinirang.
Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan (4th from right) and Embassy officials and staff pose for a souvenir photo at Sentro Rizal, Embassy of the Philippines Berne
