PH FLAG RAISED AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY; MAYOR BREED DECLARES JUNE 12 AS “FIL-AM FRIENDSHIP AND HERITAGE DAY”
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer and San Francisco Deputy Protocol Chief Meron Foster lead the hoisting of the Philippine national flag at the Mayor’s balcony of the San Francisco City Hall on 12 June 2024—in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, and Filipino-American Friendship and Heritage Day in the city. (San Francisco Mayor’s Protocol Office, Al Perez photos)
SAN FRANCISCO, USA – Mayor London Breed congratulated the people of the Philippines on the occasion of the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, in her proclamation declaring 12 June 2024 as “Filipino-American Friendship and Heritage Day” in the City and County of San Francisco.
With the presence of the Filipino American Community in San Francisco, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco co-organized the annual Philippine flag-raising ceremony and reception at the Mayor’s Office of the San Francisco City Hall on Independence Day, June 12—led by Consul General Neil Ferrer and Deputy Protocol Chief Meron Foster.
Following the hoisting of the National Flag and the singing of the National Anthem, Deputy Chief Foster presented Mayor Breed’s proclamation to Consul General Ferrer.
“San Francisco has a longstanding history of openness and respect for people of all backgrounds, and today, on the occasion of the Philippine Independence Day we particularly recognize the important contributions made to our city by Filipino-Americans,” Mayor Breed’s proclamation reads.
In her proclamation, Mayor Breed also “looks forward to continued friendship and partnership with the Philippines as we work to promote peace and mutual understanding through meaningful people-to-people activities including municipal, business, trade, educational, and cultural exchanges.”
Mayor Breed’s proclamation also cited the San Francisco-Manila sister city relations on its 43rd anniversary this year. “[W]e recognize the volunteers of our Sister City Committee who promote mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation between the people of both cities,” the Mayor said.
In response, Consul General Ferrer expressed his gratitude to the city and county government for its continued recognition of the 45,000-strong Filipino American Community in San Francisco.
“From the Filipino American History Month celebration at the City Hall every October, to community celebrations such as the yearly Pistahan Parade & Festival every August, and the Filipino Heritage Nights of the Golden State Warriors & the San Francisco Giants, there is a recognition of the significant presence and contributions of Filipinos in your city,” Consul General Ferrer said.
Consul General Ferrer also cited that the Philippines-U.S. relations are “at an all-time high,” following the recent engagements of the two countries’ highest officials.
Around 50 guests representing the various Filipino American organizations in San Francisco joined the celebration at the Mayor’s office, who enjoyed their serving of Filipino dishes Paella Valenciana and Sisig courtesy of Patio Filipino.
Other dignitaries in attendance include: Fil-Am San Francisco Entertainment Commissioners Al Perez & Anthony Schlander; Fil-Am San Francisco Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Franklin Ricarte; San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee Chair Carmen Colet; Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Francisco Tatum King; and San Francisco Board of Supervisors candidate Marjan Philhour, who is aiming to become San Francisco’s first-ever Filipino American Supervisor.
To cap off the Filipino-American Friendship and Heritage Day in the city, the San Francisco City Hall was lit up with the Philippine national colors of blue, yellow and red. END
Deputy Protocol Chief Meron Foster presents to Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer a proclamation from Mayor London Breed, declaring 12 June 2024 as Filipino-American Friendship and Heritage Day in San Francisco. (San Francisco Mayor’s Protocol Office photo)
From left to right: San Francisco Deputy Protocol Chief Meron Foster; Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer; San Francisco Board of Supervisors candidate Marjan Philhour; and San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee Chair Carmen Colet. (San Francisco Mayor’s Protocol Office photo)
Mayor London Breed signs a proclamation declaring 12 June 2024, Philippine Independence Day, as Filipino-American Friendship and Heritage Day in the City and County of San Francisco. (San Francisco PCG photo)
The officers and personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, with Consul General Neil Ferrer holding Mayor London Breed’s proclamation declaring 12 June 2024 as Filipino-American Friendship and Heritage Day in the City and County of San Francisco. (San Francisco PCG photo)