The Philippine Embassy, led by PH Ambassador to Switzerland Bernard Faustino M. Dy, joined the Filipino Community in Ticino in celebration of “Araw ng Kalayaan 2024” on 09 June 2024 at Capannone di Pregassona in Lugano.

The event, which carried the theme, “Preserving Our Filipino Culture and Heritage to Unite Generations,” was organized by the Filipino Community in Ticino association (FCT) led by Mr. Dante Gragasin.

In his message, Ambassador Dy enjoined the Filipino community to reflect on Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan (Freedom, Future, History), the theme of the multi-year commemoration of the birth of the Filipino nation 1898-1901. He continued, “Even as we lead a life away from our beloved homeland, let us continue to lift each other up and share with our friends in Switzerland and beyond our Filipino identity as a free, democratic, peace-loving, and hardworking people.”

Another guest of the FCT event, Mr. Raoul Ghisletta, head of the Dicastero immobili (Real Estate Dicastery) of the city of Lugano, delivered a statement in his native Italian to the Filipinos in Lugano, thanking them for their contribution to the rich culture of the Ticinese region. Also in attendance were PH Honorary Consul in Ticino Margherita Maffeis-Natale; Consul General Maria Anna Lilia de Vera-Schinazi; and Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara of the PH Department of Migrant Workers, who was visiting with MWO-Geneva.

Guests were entertained with performances of Filipino songs and dances by members of FCT. Children were treated to the traditional game of pabitin with Filipino snacks as prizes. Also featured in the event was a demonstration of Sikaran, an indigenous pre-Spaish foot-fighting martial arts system in the Philippines popular among farmers in Luzon. FCT president Gragasin holds classes on Sikaran attended by both Filipinos and Swiss alike. END

#PHinSwitzerland

#Kalayaan2024

PH Ambassador to CH Bernard Faustino Dy addressing the Filipino Community in Ticino.

Ambassador Dy presenting Mr. Raoul Ghisletta of the city government of Lugano with a Filipino barong

Members of the Filipino Community in Ticino association performing a variety of Filipino dances

The event featured an exhibition of the Filipino martial art of Sikaran.

Ambassador Dy and FilCom leader Dante Gragasin with DMW Asec Levinson Alcantara, LabAtt Cheryl
Daytec, HonCon Anna Maffeis, ConGen Anna de Vera-Schinazi, and personnel of MWO-Geneva

The Filipino Community in Ticino.