Sentidokomon

Filipinos around the world commemorate the historical 109th Philippine Independence Day. In the city of Nicosia, Cyprus alone, there were two separate celebrations which took place on June 3 and 10 respectively. The first one was held at Solomon Square Park. It was hosted by the Visayan Region Overseas Workers and Friends Organization led by Chairwoman Magdalena Elia . The main highlight of the event was the coronation of the Queen of the Philippine Independence Day 2007 won by Glenda Soriano. It was also the first public appearance of the Filipino – American Philippine Honorary  Consul to Cyprus Mrs. Shemaine Alonso Bushnell – Kyriakides. The Labor Attache to  Cyprus Atty. Jaime Jimenez was also present during the event. The Philippine cultural presentations were among the other highlights which was participated in by the filipino migrants from Larnaca and Nicosia. Vivian Laluan, former staff member of Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice and Grace Argyrou, court translator, were the emcees.
 
The second celebration was last June 10, 2007 at Tripoli Park, Solomon Square organized by the staff of Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice. It was well attended  by migrant workers from Limassol led by Association President Arnel Ambon, Pafos group led by Angie Mendoza, Nicosia community with different group leaders namely, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Salvacion of the Philippine Community Association, Mrs. Ester Beatty of the Cypro – Philippine Association, Emong Pedroso of the Consular Volunteers, Bantay OFW with Chairperson Bong Jusi, BIBAK group led by Jenny Saydawan, Christ Mission Fellowship led by Sis. Vicky, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nicosia led by Spiritual leader Sis. Fhely, and with a lot of onlookers and bystanders who were of different nationalities. Remy Glorioso, Stella Toreon, Jenny Antolin (the Jaya of Cyprus) and Alma Sagawinit entertained the audience with their best song performances.

 
Among the honorary guests were the Labor-attache to Cyprus Atty, Jaime Jimenez who read the message from the Office of the President, Joy Miranda of www.sentidokomon.com who read the message of the New Philippine Honorary Consul to Cyprus Mrs. Shemaine Alonso Bushnell – Kyriakides who left for USA last wednesday June 6 2007,  Mr. Kyriakou Loizides, the man who paved the way for the birth of Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice newspaper through the generosity of Mr. Dionisis Dionisiou, Mica Copy Center Ltd owners Michalis and Carol, agency owners namely, Mr. Costas Georghiou, the president of Pan – Cyprian Agency Association Mr. George Anastasiou with his wife Maria, Mr. Pavlides and many others.

Meanwhile, another Philippine Independence Day celebration was also held at Limassol last Sunday, June 17 and the last was in Paphos on Sunday, June 24, 2007.

The Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice Staff include Elizabeth Fernandez, Jenny Bayao, Bong Jusi, Lissa Jataas, and Marlyn Panaguiton wished to thank the sponsors and donors for the event which they organized in Nicosia. Also, Emong Pedroso of Consular Volunteers would like to thank the former honorary consul to Cyprus Mrs Vanthoula Tsaousis- Constantinides for sponsoring the volunteer dancers’ uniform.

By Carmen Brazan B. Llauderes