In celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in France held a special flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony with the Filipino community in France.
Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West joins the Philippine Embassy in the Kalayaan 2025 celebration as she bids farewell to the Filipino community in France.
The event highlighted the musical prowess of the Ateneo Chamber Singers (ACS), led by conductor Mr. Jonathan M. Velasco, who sang the Lupang Hinirang and gave a heartwarming rendition of Filipino and French classics. The group established itself as one of the country’s elite choirs through its continuous pursuit of excellence and bringing pride to our nation, bagging multiple awards and recognitions in choral music across the globe.
The Ateneo Chamber Singers deliver their heartwarming performance to the Filipino community in France.
The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Jose Rizal bust of the chancery. Ambassador Junver Mahilum-West led the offering with Consul General Noemi Diaz and Vice Consul Miko Cabatingan, who both read the messages of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo.
Ambassador Mahilum-West leads the wreath-laying ceremony in Paris along with Consul General Diaz and Vice Consul Cabatingan, flanked by members of the Filipno community.
The Philippine Delegation to the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France, participated in a simultaneous flag ceremony with the Philippine Embassy in Paris to celebrate Kalayaan 2025 
DA Undersecretary Drusila Esther Bayate (center), DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, and Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez, joined by Chargè d’Affaires Eric Gerardo Tamayo led the ceremony in Nice, France.
Comprising the delegation are officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (DFA-MOAO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DLG), the Local Government Units of Navotas City and General Santos City, and the University of the Philippines (UP) along with representatives from the Philippine Embassy in France and the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
UNOC delegation simultaneously holds a flag-raising with the Embassy in Paris.
The theme Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan reflects the pivotal moments that shaped our nation, significantly the proclamation of the Philippine independence on 12 June 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. It marks the Philippines as the earliest modern democracy and republic in Asia, committed to the ideals of universal human rights, freedom, and sovereignty. In honoring our heroes and their sacrifices, we acknowledge their ultimate expression of love for our country, which has gifted us the liberty we cherish today.
Watch the ACS performance here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16he8HKFnP/
END.
