Diplomatic Brief #14 Year 2016 .Indd 1 11/6/16 4:44:40 PM PHL Embassy in KL Kicks Off PHL Independence Day Celebration
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PH Embassy KL Officials Receive Gawad Mabini Awards For Alternative Education Initiatives in Sabah hree offi cials of the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lum- Tpur received the Gawad Mabini (Order of Mabini) awards for initia- tives to promote and uplift the wel- fare of Filipinos in Malaysia, notably the pioneering alternative learning centers (ALCs) project for undocu- mented Filipino children in Sabah. Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya re- ceived the Gawad Mabini, with the rank of Grand Cross (Dakilang Ka- manong), from President Benigno S. Aquino III and Secretary of Foreign Aff airs Jose Rene Almendras at cer- emonies held on June 23 in line with the commemoration of the founding of the Department of Foreign Aff airs (DFA). Gawad Mabini awardees from the Embassy (from left): former Social Welfare Attache Bernard Bonina, Ambas- Ambassador Malaya was bestowed sador J. Eduardo Malaya and Attache Atty. Norren Joy Calip the honor for the embassy’s exem- promote the interests and prestige of Apolinario Mabini, the fi rst Sec- plary work in the establishment of of the Philippines abroad. It was es- retary of Foreign Aff airs in the First and continuing support to six Filipi- tablished by virtue of Presidential Philippine Republic. no community-run alternative learn- Decree No. 490, series 1974 in honor (Continued on page 2) ing centers which now provide basic literacy to some 2,500 Filipino chil- dren who otherwise have no access Gary Valenciano Headlines KL Bene t Dinner to the local formal schools. Concert for Filipino Children in Sabah Also bestowed the Gawad Mabini, Filipino singer/songwriter Gary Valenciano with the Embassy. with the rank of Kasugo (Member), was his moniker “Mr. Pure Energy” personifi ed The benefi t dinner raised RM145,000 (Php was Embassy Attaché Atty. Norren as he entertained his Filipino fans and made 1.67 million) for six Filipino community-run Joy Calip, who assisted the Ambas- fans out of Malaysians present at a benefi t din- alternative learning centers serving undocu- sador on the ALC project. ner concert held on September 30 at the Aloft mented Filipino children in Sabah. Similarly, the Embassy’s DSWD At- Kuala Lumpur Sentral Hotel. For his part, ALC Patron Tan Sri Othman Meri- taché Bernard Bonina received the Performing a repertoire of his own hits and can highlighted the need to support the ALC Gawad Mabini, with rank of Dakilang of other artists covering diff erent eras, Mr. Va- initiative, as it gives hope to the children and Kasugo (Distinguished Member), for lenciano showcased his wide range of talents their families. his dedicated service in the rescue of – dancing along with his audience in upbeat “We give these children a better chance of and extending assistance to Filipinas tempo and bringing tears to his listeners as he improving themselves and their families. After who became victims of traffi cking, sang from the heart. all, children are our future,” he added. and other assistance-to-nationals The concert-fundraiser was spearheaded by Present during the concert were AlloyMtd work. Event Chairperson Puan Sri Sylvia Merican and Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer Tan Sri Dr. The Gawad Mabini is conferred on her husband, Tan Sri Othman Merican, with Ms. Azmil Khalid, who spoke about how the initia- Filipinos who have rendered distin- Tess Dizon as event organizer in collaboration (Continued on page 3) guished foreign service, or helped Diplomatic Brief #14 year 2016 .indd 1 11/6/16 4:44:40 PM PHL Embassy in KL Kicks Off PHL Independence Day Celebration The performers take a bow (from left): pianist Ledda Rosenberger, fl utist Roberto Tarang, violinist Maria Liza Lopez-Tarang, Consul General Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena, Ambassador Malaya, Ms. Gerodias, Mr. Fernando, Korean baritone Byeong In-Park and Malaysian pianist Kok Kee Boon. he Philippine Independence Day receptions traditionally hosted by Philippine Embas- Tsies and Filipino community organizations overseas had an exceptional start in Kuala Lumpur with the performances of leading Filipino opera singers from Manila. The diplomatic reception cum musical ex- travaganza on May 24 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur was headlined by soprano Rachelle Gerodias, one of the Philippines’ most sought af- ter opera singers. She wowed the 450 or so guests with her stellar rendition of Manuel Velez’ “Sa Ka- bukiran”’ and Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro”. Together with bass baritone Andrew Fernando, Korean baritone Byeong In Park and the RSVP Trio—composed of fl utist Roberto Tarang, vio- linist Maria Liza Lopez-Tarang and pianist Ledda Rosenberger, Ms. Gerodias regaled the crowd Soprano Rachelle Gerodias belts out the high notes in a performance of “All I Ask of You” with composed of the diplomatic corps, Malaysian baritone Andrew Fernando as Ambassador Malaya accompanies them on the piano. Government offi cials, businessmen, artists and Many in the audience were surprised when nok and turon delectably prepared by the chefs of Filipino community members with a musical Ambassador Malaya was called on stage to ac- Shangri-La Hotel. Mama Sita provided the sauces mini-concert covering songs from opera, Filipino company on the piano Ms. Gerodias and Mr. Fer- and condiments for the dishes. kundiman and Broadway. nando in singing Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “All I Ask The event was made possible through the Malaysian Minister of Energy, Green Technol- of You”. The Ambassador gamely played on. support of AirAsia, Smart Pinoy/PLDT Malaysia, ogy and Water Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Filipino food was also featured with pancit bi- Pag-Ibig Housing Fund, Mama Sita food fl avoring, Johnity Ongkili was the event’s guest of honor. hon, chicken adobo, beef caldereta, lechong ma- Mama Tina and San Miguel Corporation. o Mr. Fernando sang “Di provenza il mar” from Verdi’s La Triviata and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s (PHL Embassy KL Offi cials.....from Page 1) three afternoons a week, focus- “Some Enchanted Evening”. Accompanying him Thousands of Filipino children ing on reading, writing, arithme- on the piano in singing “Di provenza il mar” was of undocumented migrant fami- tic and life skills. the Embassy’s Consul General Maria Antonina lies in Sabah have no access to “Filipino children in Sabah are Mendoza-Oblena. local public schools. Through the in a precarious situation, and our For his part, Mr. Park sang “Largo al factotum” Embassy’s eff orts and in partner- initiatives are mere fi rst steps in from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. A highly ac- ship with Filipino community a long journey, but we are hope- complished singer himself, he is the better half of groups, new ALCs were organized ful that with the support of all Ms. Gerodias. and the capabilities of existing stakeholders, we will be able to A guest performer at the event was noted Ma- ones enhanced to provide basic improve their lives through edu- laysian pianist Kok Kee Boon who accompanied literacy to undocumented chil- cation, one child at a time”, Am- Ms. Gerodias and Mr. Park in singing Puccini’s and dren. Classes are typically held bassador Malaya said. o Rossini’s arias, respectively. 2 Diplomatic Brief #14 year 2016 .indd 2 11/6/16 4:44:46 PM Fiesta sa Embahada 2016 Showcases Colorful Filipino Culture and Music he extra warm Kuala Lumpur weather Filipino food was also in abundance, cour- and dishes such as pinakbet, pancit and roast only matched the excitement and the tesy of FFAM-provided food packs containing chicken. Twarm smiles of the Filipino community, the eponymous chicken adobo and rice with Extending support to the event were PAG- who celebrated the 118th Anniversary of the atsara and suman for the participants, as well IBIG Fund, Smart Pinoy, PhilHealth, Master- Proclamation of Philippine Independence as booths selling delicacies ranging from ha- card, BDO/IME-RIA, LBC, Western Union, Air with a street dancing show and a program lo-halo, pandesal and Filipino bread products Asia and Petron. held on June 5 at the Philippine Embassy grounds. The Embassy grounds once again served as fiesta venue to some 1,500 Filipino and Malaysian guests who joined in the festivi- ties, featuring a street dancing competition among Filipino community groups belong- ing to the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM) and other Filipino groups, and a program showcasing talents from the Filipino community and Filipino bands per- forming in top venues around the capital. “This year, we highlight the successes of the Aquino administration and look forward (left photo) Dr. Rena Cristina Malaya presents a bouquet of flowers to Mr. Gary Valenciano to the new administration of President-elect after his rousing performance. (right photo) Ambassador Malaya, event chairperson Puan Sri Sylvia Merican, Tan Sri Othman Merican, Mr. Gary Valenciano and his wife Angeli Pan- Rodrigo Duterte. We are thankful of the eco- gilinan Valenciano presenting the mock cheque, with event host Ms. Julia Clarete (left). nomic growth and progress that we are expe- (Photos: Karen Santos-Herrera) riencing under President Benigno S. Aquino III, (Gary Valenciano.....from Page 1) including his administration’s shepherding of tive made him think about how he can help fur- Petron Malaysia and Sri KDU Smart School. peaceful and fair elections in the Philippines, ther. “We hope that this initiative will continue Key supporters were Tan Sri Othman Merican and we are hopeful that these positive devel- for these children, and for their future,” Tan Sri and Puan Sri Sylvia Merican, Dato’ Seri Mah opments will be continued by President-elect Azmil said. King and Datin Seri Irene Mah, Dato’ Timothy Duterte,” Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said Event sponsors included AlloyMtd Group, Gan and Datin Sharon Too, Dr.