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 126th 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
