Warmest and friendliest greetings to all!

On this maiden voyage to Pangyao readership, I wish first of all to commend the efforts of Pangyao Magazine as it continues to serve migrant communities in Hong Kong by maintaining a platform in traditional print form that promotes inclusivity and genuine community building through common understanding based on common experience.

To our beloved Filipino community, please allow me to provide a quick look-back on the successful month-long celebration of the 127^th Philippine Independence Day. The Consulate held a series of big community events on Chater Road in Central, starting with the Kapangyawan Philippines-Hong Kong Friendship Festival on June 1^st. 

We witnessed a parade of 92 patriotic Filipino Community organisations, federations, and associations in Hong Kong, together with the snappy Hong Kong Police marching band, and we marvelled at a vibrant array of Philippine traditional and modern dance performances, including the Kulay Pinoy, a line dance with 500 Overseas Filipino Workers participating. 

Then, on June 8^th, we celebrated the grand opening of the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th Floor of United Centre, and the 30^th Migrant Workers Day, with a Serbisyo Caravan featuring government frontline service providers and an OFW Got Talent competition. The next Sunday, June 15^th, we were treated to Saludo: The Concert, where TINBO Powered by PLDT Global brought in the best of Filipino entertainment and public affairs, including the cast of Eat Bulaga and the Tulfo Action Center.

The Consulate also included several meaningful events, such as the PCG Talks on supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) on June 22^nd, focusing on upskilling carers of children with SEN, and the 100 Overseas Filipinos for the Philippine Eagle on June 29^th, highlighting the Philippine eagle as a “Goodwill Ambassador” for Philippine biodiversity in Hong Kong and the rest of the world.

As always, the month of June would not be complete without the flag ceremony, followed by the delivery of inspiring messages from the President and other government officials, and almusal ng bayan, as well as the diplomatic reception on June 12^th – the very heart of our Independence Day celebration – with Filipino community leaders, Hong Kong government officials, members of the Consular Corps, and key stakeholders of Hong Kong society.

I am pleased to note that we have an active Filipino community in Hong Kong that the Consulate can happily work with in bringing more cultural extravaganzas for the rest of the year. 

In this month of August, we pay tribute to our national heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom from colonial rule and tyranny. Sa Agosto rin natin ipinagdiriwang ang Buwan ng Wika at itinataguyod ang ating pambansang wika na nagbubuklod sa iba’t-ibang sambayanan na may kanya-kanyang pananalita at kumakatawan sa 17 rehiyon at 7,461 kapuluan ng Pilipinas, kasama na ang ating mga kababayan sa labas ng bansa. At nais kong ipaalala na ang bawat isa sa atin ay may kakayahan na makatulong upang mas higit na lumaganap ang paggamit, pagpapayaman at pagmamahal sa wikang Filipino.

Thus, I am very grateful for the community’s efforts in this collaborative exercise of promoting Philippine heritage through cultural displays that are intended to show the international community of Hong Kong how creative and innovative Filipinos are.

To ensure that the community is up to date with announcements and news releases about Filipino community advisories and events, the Consulate’s Facebook page (shown below) is always updated. 

Further, I would like to invite all Filipino groups in Hong Kong to register as an “Accredited Community Partner’’ of the Consulate through its Cultural Diplomacy and Community Affairs Section. Please send us an email at cultural.pcg@gmail.com, and we will guide you through the process.

Finally, I wish to assure our kababayan that the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, together with its partner agencies, remains committed to improving its services to you and to the general public. 

On your ongoing voyage to fulfil your dreams as a worker, resident, or student in Hong Kong, we hope you will not feel alone in times of distress, for you can always count on us for help and support.

Maraming Salamat po! Mabuhay!