ABUJA, 14 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Abuja held its first big event since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in Nigeria to mark the Philippines’ 124th Independence Day, welcoming more than 100 guests in the Chancery on Sunday, 12 June 2022. 

(T) Flag raising ceremony attended by the Embassy personnel, diplomatic guests, and Filipino community 

(B) Ambassador Shirley Ho-Vicario greets High Commissioner of Canada H.E. James Christoff

Also part of the event was the public taking of the Oath of Allegiance of Mrs. Veronica  Snoxell, who had previously lost her Filipino citizenship when she gained British  citizenship.

(L) Third Secretary and Vice Consul Dana Del Rosario served as the emcee of the event 

(R) Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Roderico C. Atienza administering the Oath of Allegiance of Mrs. Veronica Snoxell

The celebration started promptly at 9:00 a.m. for the flag raising ceremony and pledge of allegiance to the Philippine flag, followed by Ambassador Shirley Ho-Vicario’s welcome remarks. The video messages of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr. were also played to the guests. 

(T) Ambassador Ho-Vicario and the VIP guests

(B) Cake cutting with the guests

In attendance were members of the Filipino community and their families, and select members of the diplomatic corps: Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Usra Hendra Harahap and spouse, Vietnamese Ambassador H.E. Luong Quoc Thinh and spouse, Malaysian High Commissioner H.E. Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet, and Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. James Christoff and spouse Grendel Alvarado.

(T) Ambassador Ho-Vicario with Mdme. Nenny Harahap, spouse of Indonesian Ambassador

(B) Happy faces of the women of the Filipino Community with Embassy personnel Ms. Daisy Perez and Ms.Janice Villamar

An estimated 120 to 140 guests attended the event and enjoyed the sumptuous Filipino  breakfast spread prepared by the Embassy, along with food donated by members of the Filipino community. Members of the Filipino community enjoyed the food and socials in the  biggest gathering of Filipinos in Abuja in the past couple of years.

The successful event ended at 12 noon after guests had partaken in food and socials. - END.