PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI MARKS 126^TH INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION

PH Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (right) and Director General of the Kenya Foreign Service Academy Paul K. Ndung’u (left) toast to the good health of the two countries' Presidents and peoples, as well as the two countries' long-standing friendship.

NAIROBI, 14 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi hosted a reception on 11 June 2024 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi to mark the 126^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The event gathered over 180 guests, including Director-General of the Kenya Foreign Service Academy Paul K. Ndung’u, representing Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, members of the diplomatic corps, Kenyan government officials, and representatives from business, media, academe, and the Filipino community.

Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, in her remarks, highlighted the Philippines as one of the best-performing economies of Asia. She stressed the country's commitment to sustaining high-level growth and advancing greener, more inclusive development under the "Bagong Pilipinas" or "New Philippines" brand of governance launched by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Ambassador Tang also noted the expanding ties between the Philippines and Kenya, and the other countries in East Africa under the Embassy’s jurisdiction. 

She also stressed the Philippines' commitment to build stronger partnerships with Africa, bilaterally and multilaterally, including through south-south cooperation.

Director-General Ndung’u extended the Independence Day greetings of the Kenyan Government to the Philippines and reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to its long-standing friendship with the country.

He also highlighted the visit to the Philippines by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs Roseline K. Njogu in August last year, which provided insights on best practices for the Kenyan government to strengthen its protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of its diaspora.

Meanwhile, to showcase world-class Filipino musical talent, soprano Ms. Stefanie Quintin delivered a captivating performance of a repertoire that included Filipino folk melodies, Broadway and classical music, and a popular Kenyan love song titled 'Malaika' ('angel').

Ms. Quintin performed in Kenya as part of the Embassy's Independence Day celebrations, supported by the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Additionally, the Wazalendo Group of Singers, a Kenyan choir composed of university students, performed the Philippine and Kenyan national anthems, adding a unifying element to the event.

Guests enjoyed a selection of Filipino cuisine, including adobo, beef tapa, pansit, taho, and the world-famous San Miguel Beer.

To promote people-to-people connectivity between the Philippines and Kenya, Emirates Airlines raffled off a roundtrip ticket to Manila to one lucky guest. END

PH Ambassador Tang cordially welcomes the guests and delivers her remarks

Ms. Stefanie Quintin presents beautiful renditions of Filipino folk melodies and Broadway and classical music

Wazalendo Group of Singers performs the Philippine and Kenyan national anthems

Ambassador Tang (second from left), Mr. Christophe Leloup (center), Area Manager of Emirates Airlines-Kenya, with the lucky winner of a roundtrip ticket to Manila (second from right)

The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi

FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN KENYA CELEBRATES KALAYAAN 2024

Nairobi PE personnel with Ms. Stefanie Quintin and Mr. Sospeter Mobe of Kenya Airways and over 120 Filipinos who attended the Kalayaan 2024 celebration at the Embassy

NAIROBI, 13 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi celebrated the 126^th  anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence with the Filipino community in Kenya on 09 June 2024.

Co-organized with the Filipino Community in Kenya (FilCom-Kenya), the festive gathering featured musical and dance performances, and was preceded by a community mass celebrated by Fr. Norman Labutan.

Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, in her remarks, stressed that the occasion gave Filipinos the opportunity to honor the struggle of Filipino ancestors and heroes who fought for the freedoms that Filipinos today enjoy, as well as to celebrate the achievements of Filipinos since.

She also highlighted the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, an all-inclusive economic and social transformation program launched by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to further advance and develop the Philippines, and the bayanihan needed of all Filipinos to achieve the vision.

Ms. Stefanie Quintin, a soprano who joined the celebration with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), entertained the guests with her beautiful renditions of Filipino classic and folk songs, including Bayan Ko, Mutya ng Pasig, Sa Kabukiran and a Cebuano medley.

Adding to the musical experience, Mr. Jamir Adiong, a Filipino vocalist from the Nairobi-based band Jahm and Mbutch, performed his original compositions, showcasing the rich musical talent within the community.

Another highlight of the celebration was a potluck feast, featuring Filipino favorites such as lechon, beef tapa, adobo, lumpia, and dinuguan.

Meanwhile, Filcom groups performed Philippine folk dances, while children enjoyed playing the traditional game Tumbang Preso.

Attendees also showcased their creativity and national pride by dressing in vibrant Philippine-themed attire.

To cap off the celebration, Kenya Airways generously raffled off an air ticket to a Southeast Asian destination, to the delight of the guests.  END

Ambassador Tang delivers her Kalayaan 2024 remarks

Showcase of Filipino musical talent by Ms. Stefanie Quintin and Mr. Jamir Adiong of Jahm and Mbutch

Religious brothers and sisters and PhilKen Movers during their folk dance performances (topmost), Filipinos wearing traditional attire representing their respective regions in the Philippines (bottom left), Filipino kids playing Tumbang Preso

Mr. Sospeter Mobe of Kenya Airways (leftmost) hands over the ceremonial roundtrip ticket to a Southeast Asian destination to the lucky raffle draw winner

FILIPINO TALENT AND FOOD SHOWCASED AT 9^TH NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Ms. Stefanie Quintin serenades the guests at the opening ceremony of the 9^th NICF.

NAIROBI, 13 June 2024 – As part of its celebration of the National Heritage Month in May and the 126^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi participated in the 9^th Nairobi International Cultural Festival (NICF) on 08 June 2024 at the Nairobi National Museum.

With the theme “The World at a Glance,” the 9^th NICF featured cultural performances, booth exhibitions, and hands-on demonstrations of traditional crafts and arts from all over the world.

In her brief remarks at the opening ceremony, Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy in building connections and fostering goodwill among nations, highlighting it as a key pillar of the Philippines' foreign policy.

Ms. Stefanie Quintin, a soprano who visited Nairobi with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), showcased Filipino musical talent through her beautiful rendition of a Filipino folk song, Pobreng Alindahaw, at the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, visitors to the Philippine booth enjoyed an assortment of Filipino cuisine, including the classic adobo, bistek tagalog, puto, kutsinta, pancit bihon, lumpia, as well as fish and squid balls, popular street food in the Philippines.

For over a decade, the NICF has provided a platform for the Kenyan public and the international community to immerse themselves in the rich and diverse cultures of different countries, enhancing cross-cultural understanding and nurturing connections among people.

Aside from the Philippine Embassy, other participating diplomatic missions and institutions in the 9^th NICF included those from Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, China, India, Iran, Ethiopia, Morocco, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Somalia. END

Ambassador Tang delivers a brief message at the opening ceremony of the 9^th NICF.

FilCom-Kenya members, Ms. Marilou Moses and her family, welcome booth visitors with a variety of delicious Filipino food.