Of being united and free

COFAB SPEARHEADS BRUSSELS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION


"Tayo'y Magkaisa, Para Masaya".

A straightforward yet meaningful theme for an independence day celebration which was indeed well-organized, well attended and totally enjoyable.

The whole-day event, exclusively sponsored by Western Union, consisted of a thanksgiving mass, parade of participating organizations led by the Philippine Embassy and the organizer, piknikang-bayan, cultural program which featured the participation of the cute little children of the community, a full-length show of the Bayanihan Dance Company, a variety show, tombola and a food & products fair.

The celebration was the 110^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in Brussels, Belgium as organized by the Council of Filipino Associations in Belgium (COFAB) in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino communities of Belgium and Luxembourg. It was held on June 8, Sunday in Tour & Taxis, one of the biggest exposition centers in Brussels.

More than three thousand people came, some as early as 7:30 in the morning, never mind that gate officially opens at 9:00 in the morning yet.


Booths totalling forty (40) selling various Philippine dishes and Filipino products and commercial exhibitors covered the Tour and Taxis salle grounds.

The stage was magnificent. Tayantangan group's president, Mr. Toto Castor was to reveal that members of the Stage Committee prepared the materials (frame, letterings, drawings etc.) in advance; so they could build the stage on the day before the event with quick efficiency.

PROGRAM

The affair kept close to the predominantly Christian country's tradition of starting the day with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Raymund Gaspar (chaplain), Fr. Kenneth Masong and Fr. Jorgedy Bago. The mass repertoire was rendered by the Kalayaan Choir 2008 organized for the event by merging the singing members of different choir groups in the community. They were efficiently trained by Mr. Ruel Jacob, a famous choir trainor.

COFAB led the entrance parade of Filipino organizations in Belgium and Luxembourg, with the Knights of Rizal taking care of the colors and Philippine Embassy officials providing support. Different organizations elegantly dressed in Filipiniana attire added color to the parade. Beauty queens from Paris led by Ms. Angie Lucas, the group's president, together with the Brussels Phil. Independence 2008 winners similarly caught the audience admiration.

COFAB President and Chairman of the Philippine Independence Day Celebration 2008, Ms. Adela C. Lulu, welcomed everybody to the occasion and expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed to the affair. She further acknowledged and thanked the presence of friends and guests from Luxembourg, Paris, Netherlands and Germany.

Ambassador Cristina Ortega of the Philippine Embassy read the Independence Day message of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and continued to inspire everybody present with her own words of wisdom for the celebration.

PIKNIKANG BAYAN

Not to abandon the original "Piknikang Bayan" spirit, midday was allotted for this atmosphere where everybody had the chance to "break bread" with his/her compatriots and their extended families.

Attendees were encouraged to bring their own food to share. However, set meals were catered and sold to those interested by the famous caterer in town, "Luto ni Lola". The Gravidez clan and the other Pangasinense members led by Ms. Ligaya Gravidez were seen busy stamping meal tickets and providing food to those interested. Guests were able to go around and have a taste of the so many food and delicacies that were offered by the exhibitors at reasonable prices.

CULTURAL SHOW: Children of the Community & the BAYANIHAN

Much to the excitement and appreciation of the attendees, the children participants of the choreographed cultural numbers did a very terrific entertainment while presenting the folk dances that were prepared and rehearsed for number of months. Patiently rehearsing them during these times were headed by Ms. Del Nala and Ms. Grace Castillo.

The main feature of the cultural event of the day was a full show of the Bayanihan Dance Company, all the way from the Philippines. The Bayanihan exhibited their masterful interpretation of well-performed folk dances as mantones de seda, itik-itik, subli, tinikling, habanera japonesa and maglalatik among others.

Moreover, it was a fine day for Filipinos in Belgium to showcase their talents!

Ms. Lulu led the organizing committee members "dance fanatics" including Ambassador Ortega, Mr. Mike Ignacio (Commercial Attache), newly-arrived officer of the Philippine Embassy, Consul Chris Rola and the DOLE Admin officer, Ms. Rose Mangahas and other embassy personnel in presenting "Dance Evolution", a couple of dance steps like the jerk, soul, salsa, swing, chacha, boogie, line dance, on to spaghetti, kembot and papaya dance.

Modern dances came from the Goin Bulilits group, Kalayaan Kids 2008 Girls, Kalayaan Kids 2008 Boys, Dimailig Sisters, La Louviere Kids, Aalst youth,as well as that of KC Ortega and Group. They did not fail to excite audience.


Song renditions, be it a vocal solo from Luxembourg Karaoke Champion Roxan Yaghma, a duet by Angela Lopez & Charlene Magnaye, and choral numbers from Kalayaan Choir 2008 (Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi at Musika), Couples for Christ Choir (Paraiso), and Magkakaibigang Pinoy (Bayan Ko; Kapaligiran) also drew crowd attention.

Kevin Pabalan, Prince Concert of the Filipino Community in Paris rendered special song numbers.

TOMBOLA

The much-awaited Tombola gave away a round-trip ticket for two to the Philippines as the grand prize. Again, for the 7th time, Mr. Marc Lambert of Antipodes Express, thru the newly-opened branch office, the ASEANA Travel, managed by our own dear friend Ms. Benilda Rebong, provided the grand prize. There were numerous fabulous major and consolation prizes that were given away like the 500euro cash prize from the Western Union.

CHARITY CONTEST

Tombola tickets were disposed for the selection of Miss Independence 2008, wherein winners were chosen based on the tickets sold. On June 1^st, week before the grand day, the winners were proclaimed as follows: Alessi Castillo of El Shaddai Holy Trinity, Elizabeth Martinez of Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community, Celine Murillo Paragas of Unifil and Stephanie Claire Martin of Grand Ilocandia of Belgium.

BENEFICIARY

Proceeds of this year's festivity will provide financial assistance to support local projects at hospitals, schools, churches and day-care centers in various places of the Philippines.

EMCEES

The celebration venue was too big for the sound system, the people were all excited, the heat was a bit unbearable. Nevertheless, under these conditions, the day's Masters of Ceremonies, Joel Sampang and Jenny Almilla, did very well. Indeed, their team work in emceeing was commendable.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Worth mentioning is the cooperation, support and participation of the so many Philippine organizations in and out of Belgium and the donors and sponsors, thus, making this year's independence event a huge success. Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat . . . Philippine Embassy, Filipino Chaplaincy, Philippine Consulate in Antwerp, FILCOM Paris, FILCOM Luxembourg, guests from Netherlands and Germany, Western Union, ASEANA Travel, Ms. Racquel Crisostomo, Mr. Rene Capiral & Mr. Sammy Ambrosio of ABS-CBN TFC, Knights of Rizal (Diamond, El Filibusterismo & Lion Chapters), Friendship for the Philippines from Knokke, Nurses' group in Charleroi, Tayantangan, Pangasinense, The Phil. Guardians, Ilonggos of Belgium, San Rafael Prayer Community, Grand Ilocandia of Belgium, Jesus Is Lord Church, Samahan, El Shaddai Holy Trinity & St. Remi, Filipino Catholic Community Antwerp, Couples for Christ, Operation Tulong Group, Unifil, Philbe International, Mabuhay Friends Club, Shore Access International, Mirriam Lechon & Catering Service, Pampango, Kultura Maharlika group, Filipino -Belgian Cultural Sports Ghent, Kumpare, NovoEcijano, Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community, Filipino Limburg Community, Filipiniana-Europa, Phil.-Belgian Women's Club, Phil. Folkloric Troupe, Papaya Nueva Ecija, Victorian Community, Libmanan group, Carinosa, Letzebuergesch-Philippinesch Aktioun Fir Den Development (LPAD), LCG International, Praise Center, Christian Center in Anderlecht and Waterloo, Novo Ecijano, Alamid Basketball Team, Duc de Fer Pinoy Resto, COFAF, Kababayan Foundation, MvE Entertainment in Netherlands, Hilton, Conrad and Chatelain Hotels, Friends and guests from Vilvoorde, Waterloo, Aalst, Mechelen, Liedekerke, Roeselare, Hasselt, Tielt, Turnhout, Charleroi, Brugge, Ghent, Leuven, Kortrijk, Antwerp, Limburg and Knokke.