Colma Holds Annual Philippine Flag-Raising Ceremony for PH Independence Day

COLMA HOLDS ANNUAL PHILIPPINE FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY FOR PH INDEPENDENCE DAY

(San Francisco PCG photo)

COLMA, CALIFORNIA, USA – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer joined the officials and residents of Colma, California on 14 June 2023 for the raising of the Philippine national flag, in what has become a yearly tradition for the Bay Area town in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer expressed his “sincere gratitude to the City of Colma for continuing this annual activity for many years now which manifests solidarity and fellowship with the Filipino-Americans currently residing in this city.”

The Philippine Consul General then enumerated the socioeconomic priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and added that the administration continues to advance human rights in the Philippines through ongoing criminal justice reform efforts.

In her speech, returning Fil-Am Colma Mayor Joanne F. del Rosario shared that this year’s Independence Day commemoration has taken a new meaning for her following the recent passing of her brother, former Foreign Affairs Secretary and Ambassador to the United States Albert F. del Rosario.

She recalled former Secretary del Rosario’s service to the nation, particularly in advancing the country’s national sovereignty and the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

Mayor del Rosario presented Consul General Ferrer with a proclamation signed by all members of the City Council, declaring 12 June 2023 as “Philippine Independence Day” in Colma.

The said proclamation recognizes Mayor del Rosario’s place in history as the first-ever Fil-Am mayor of any city in the Bay Area, as well as Colma’s feat for being the first city or town in the U.S. to have two Fil-Am women serve together as Mayor and Vice Mayor.

Other officials and dignitaries present include Colma Vice Mayor John Irish Goodman, Colma Councilmember Helen Fisicaro, and Fil-Am Lucky Chances Inc. CEO Rommel Medina. The Fil-Am-owned Lucky Chances Casino is Colma’s largest business. END

Officers from the Colma Police Department raise the Philippine national flag in a ceremony held at the Colma Community Center in Colma, California on 13 June 2023, as Philippine Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales (behind the podium) sings the Philippine national anthem. (San Francisco PCG photo)
 
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer delivers his speech during the Philippine flag-raising ceremony at the Colma Community Center in Colma, California on 14 June 2023. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Ferrer and other officials from the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, with Colma Mayor Joanne del Rosario, Colma Vice Mayor John Irish Goodman, and Colma Councilmember Helen Fisicaro. (San Francisco PCG photo)
 
The Philippine national flag flies proudly outside the Colma Community Center in Colma, California, following the town’s Philippine flag-raising ceremony hosted by the Colma City Council on 14 June 2023. (San Francisco PCG photo)

 
A signed copy of the proclamation of the Colma City Council, declaring 12 June 2023 as “Philippine Independence Day” in Colma. (San Francisco PCG photo)