PH EMBASSY CELEBRATES KALAYAAN 2023 WITH THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN KENYA
Nairobi PE personnel with The Nightingales and over 120 members of the Filipino Community in Kenya who attended the Kalayaan 2023 celebration
NAIROBI, 20 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi marked the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with the Filipino community in Kenya in a festive celebration on 18 June 2023 that featured performances by the Filipino soprano duo “The Nightingales” and other fun activities.
Co-organized with the Filipino Community in Kenya (FilCom Kenya), the event was attended by more than 120 Filipinos.
Preceded by a community mass celebrated by Fr. Erik Lacandula and Fr. Philip Lazatin, the program proper started with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the presentation of the independence day video message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and a reading of the message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo.
Reflecting on the 2023 Independence Day theme of “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan”, Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, in her remarks, emphasized how the lessons of the past can serve as guiding lights for Filipinos wherever they are, as they collectively dream and strive for a brighter and a more prosperous Philippines.
The Nightingales, specially flown in from the Philippines with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), enthralled the guests with their rendition of favorite Filipino folk songs, as well as a medley of Regine Velasquez classics.
The event featured a sumptuous potluck feast featuring traditional Filipino dishes such as the crowd-favorite lechon, kare-kare, caldereta, longganisang vigan, and dinuguan, which brought the comforting taste of home to Kenya.
In the spirit of camaraderie, the guests also enthusiastically engaged in various Filipino-themed games, including the popular Pinoy Henyo and the exciting Pera o Bayong. The guests also showcased their creativity by adorning themselves in Philippine-themed attire and partaking in the Menudo Queen/King Challenge, each presenting their unique version of the popular Pinoy dish. END
Ambassador Tang delivers her Kalayaan 2023 remarks 
The Nightingales belt out songs popularized by Asia’s Songbird, Ms. Regine Velasquez
FilCom members eagerly participate in the Filipino-themed games
PH TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE 8TH NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL
The Nightingales serenade the VIP guests and crowd with their beautiful voices.
NAIROBI, 20 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi showcased Philippine culture and food at the 8th Nairobi International Cultural Festival (NICF) held on 17 June 2023 at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Returning after a three-year hiatus, the NICF provided a platform for the Kenyan public to immerse themselves in the rich and diverse cultures of different countries towards fostering intercultural understanding. The NICF featured cultural performances, booth exhibits, and demonstrations of traditional crafts and arts, under the theme “Coming Again Together”.
The Philippine Embassy booth showcased an array of Filipino products such as abaniko, dining ware made of capiz shells, miniature jeepneys, and pearl accessories. The booth visitors also enjoyed Filipino cuisine such as adobo, kutsinta, pancit bihon, and lumpia, while watching Philippine tourism videos.
The Nightingales, a Filipino soprano duo who visited Nairobi through the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), also took the NICF stage by storm and captivated the audience with their breathtaking vocal prowess. Their set included a Filipino folk medley, a traditional Kenyan folk song called “Ning Wendete”, and “Pangako Sa’Yo” which is also the title of the most popular Filipino teleserye in Kenya. The Nightingales’ rendition of “Pangako Sa’Yo” deeply resonated with the audience and drew an enthusiastic applause.
In her brief message at the opening ceremony, Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges in nurturing understanding and deeper friendships between countries and peoples.
Mr. John Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, highlighted in his keynote address how the festival fosters mutual understanding, celebrates diversity, and embraces new perspectives.
Aside from the Philippine Embassy, other participating diplomatic missions and institutions in the NICF were from Japan, China, India, Ethiopia, Morocco, Costa Rica, Mexico, Somalia, and Botswana. END
The Nightingales taking a bow after their mesmerizing performance
PH Ambassador Tang delivers her brief message at the opening ceremony of the 8th NICF.
Embassy personnel and FilCom-Kenya member, Ms. Marilou Moses, delight booth visitors with an enticing array of Filipino products and delectable delicacies
THE PHILIPPINES JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILY REMITTANCES 2023
Ambassador Tang delivering remarks at the 2023 official observance ceremony of International Day of Family Remittances
NAIROBI, 16 June 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang joined the official observance ceremony of this year’s International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) held at the United Nations Office in Nairobi.
Building on the theme of the IDFR 2023-2024 campaign – “Digital Remittances Towards Financial Inclusion and Cost Reduction”, Ambassador Tang, in her remarks, recognized remittance-sending overseas Filipino workers, who not only improve the lives of their families, but also contribute to the Philippines’ development efforts, including advancing on the Sustainable Development Goals. She also recognized the role of digitalization and financial innovations in promoting more affordable, faster and more efficient remittances and promoting financial inclusion.
Ambassador Tang reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to share its best practices from its migration and remittance experience, and expressed appreciation to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Global Forum on Remittances, Investment and Development Network (GFRIDN), IDFR champions and other valuable partners in the commemoration of the IDFR.
In 2018, the Philippines, together with Guatemala, Madagascar, and Algeria, led the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the landmark resolution declaring June 16th as the International Day of Family Remittances. END
Ambassador Tang (third from left) with the other high-level speakers at the official observance ceremony official observance ceremony of this year’s International Day of Family Remittances.
AMB. TANG PRESENTS CREDENTIALS AS PH NON-RESIDENT ENVOY TO SOUTH SUDAN
President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan (left) accredits Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (right) as the Philippine non-resident Ambassador to South Sudan. South Sudan Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deng Dau Deng Malek (center) witnesses the presentation of credentials (Photo from the Office of the President of the Republic of South Sudan).JUBA, 14 June 2023 – Philippine non-resident Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang presented her credentials to South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on 14 June 2023 in a ceremony held at the State House in Juba.
Ambassador Tang conveyed the warm felicitations of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to President Kiir and the people of South Sudan.
She noted that 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Philippines-South Sudan diplomatic relations and expressed the hope to enhance cooperation between the two countries bilaterally and in the multilateral fora.
President Kiir stated that South Sudan is a young nation that seeks to pursue friendship with many countries, including the Philippines.
During the meeting, the inclusion of South Sudan’s basketball team in the upcoming FIBA World Cup to be held in Manila was also mentioned. Ambassador Tang wished the South Sudanese team, the first from East Africa to qualify for the FIBA World Cup, a successful performance in the tournament.
Ambassador Tang also met with various officials to explore ways to deepen the engagements between the Philippines and South Sudan including in the areas of agriculture, trade, and education.
South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 and is the world's youngest country.
The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya oversees the Philippines' relations with South Sudan. END
Ambassador Tang and South Sudan officials as the Philippine National Anthem plays on (Photo from the Office of the President of the Republic of South Sudan).
Ambassador Tang presents an open copy of her Letter of Credentials to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deng Dau Deng Malek.
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