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