Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier led the Philippine Embassy personnel and the members of the Filipino Community in raising the Philippine flag to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in Madrid on 12 June 2018 at the Philippine Embassy grounds in Madrid.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lhuillier commended overseas Filipinos, particularly, Filipinos in Spain and Andorra, for their part in building our nation. He encouraged the community to join hands with the Embassy to further uplift the image of Filipinos and of the Philippines in Spain and Andorra.
The Ambassador also lauded the Filipinos for working hard for their families despite difficulties and home sickness. For the first time in the history of the Embassy in Madrid, the Philippine Embassy will be honoring the ten longest-staying Filipino workers in Spain and Andorra during the “Fiesta Filipina 2018”, the Independence Day Celebration of the Filipino community on 17 June 2018.
During the ceremonial flag raising, H.E. Philippe J. Lhuillier, DCM Emmanuel R. Fernandez and Col. Harold Anthony F. Pascua, PA, served as the flag holders. It was followed by the reading of the messages of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano and DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
The Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (ODAFA) hosted a Filipino breakfast for the attendees.