BEIRUT - The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon celebrated the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence through a food festival, entitled PINASarap Food Festival, and cultural presentations on 12 June 2022. H.E. Raymond R. Balatbat, Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon, led the event which commenced in a dedicated mass at the St. Joseph Church in Achrafieh and a special flag-raising ceremony at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut. The event was attended by Embassy and POLO-OWWA personnel along with more than 700 guests consisting of Filipino Community (FilCom) members, partner organizations, and Lebanese guests.

   Photo: Amb. Raymond R. Balatbat (front; center), Beirut PE personnel, FilCom, and guests at the UNESCO Palace’s amphitheater 

                                                                                         Source:  Summer Rain Channel                                                                                                     

In his remarks, Ambassador Balatbat honored the sacrifices and praised the resilience of the Filipinos in Lebanon. He also assured the OFWs of the Embassy’s continued commitment to promote their welfare and provide assistance to those in distress.

The PINASarap Food Festival featured various delicacies across different regions in the Philippines, each represented by a food stall. FilCom groups joined together to prepare their regions’ specialties and decorated their booths with distinct Filipino-themed designs.

Photo: PINASarap Food Booths and Beirut PE’s cultural exhibit at the UNESCO Palace’s ballroom

Source: Beirut PE and Summer Rain Channel

A series of cultural performances by Filipino groups and Fil-Leb children delighted the audience through dance and song numbers and instrument recitals. Awards for the PINASarap TikTok Challenge, Best Food Booths, and Best Filipiniana were announced and raffle prizes were given away to Filipino participants.

Photo: Amb. Raymond R. Balatbat (middle), Embassy, POLO, and OWWA personnel at the UNESCO Palace’s amphitheater

Source: Summer Rain Channel

This National Day celebration is one of the first social events hosted by the Embassy after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As restrictions on social gatherings are slowly being lifted, the Embassy aims to organize more cultural activities to increase awareness and engage the FilCom and the diplomatic corps in Lebanon. END.