Graduations of Filipino students in Philippine Schools

This summer, four Philippine schools held graduation exercises for students in the kindergarten and high school levels. What impressed me most was the feeling of joy and pride of the parents as they pinned medals on their children. Most of the schools had only a few graduates. But there were several categories of medals: best in English, most cooperative, most creative, best in Math, etc.

As the Consul General, my friend delivered encouraging remarks for the students and the schools.

Filipino families wherever they are live full, happy lives. They work hard to give their children the education that will enable them to survive on their own later in life.

114th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY IN ATHENS

The Philippine embassy in Athens and the Filipino community celebrated the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12,2012. The event is marked not only in the Philippines but also in other countries where Filipinos live and work.


AT THE ZAPPEION GROUNDS


The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in Greece kicked off the series of events with an Independence Day parade at the Zappeion grounds led by Ambassador Meynardo LB Montealegre and embassy staff.The parade was also participated in by 34 various Filipino organizations in Filipino traditional attires and students from the Philippine schools.

The whole-day affair consisted of cultural presentations by the various Filipino organizations and schools,Philippine traditional games, talent search and raffle. One could feel the camaraderie, happiness and joy among the overseas Filipino workers, their families and friends. Among the audience were Greek and other foreign nationals who were invited by the participants.


It was my first time to witness how Philippine independence day is celebrated here in Athens. I was told that the thousands who attended was just a fraction of the more than 10,000 land-based Filipinos here. The atmosphere was one of fun and excitement, a welcome respite from their daily jobs. It was a very organized and excellent event. 




DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION


The diplomatic reception was held on June 12 at the Marriott Ledra Hotel. It was a well attended affair, with guests from the Greek Ministry of foreign Affairs and other government agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, Greek shipping companies and manning agencies, the academe, arts and culture enthusiasts. The leaders of the Filipino organizations were also present.

The highlight of the event was an exhibit of Philippine furniture and home decor set up by the embassy at the hotel foyer. It was the first time such an exhibit was set up by the Embassy. It featured antique and modern pieces from indigenous materials to show how a contemporary Filipino sala looks like. Among the showpieces admired by the guests were a bench made of antique molave wood in modern Filipino design, antique wooden chair, side table, chest (baul) and wood strip-made coffee table with Philippine map.

Aprokries, Greek Mardi Grass

Apokries is carnival time for the Greeks. It is a celebration of all ages, a tradition which lasts for three weeks before the start of Lent. It is a period  of dressing up and having fun, as the participants enter the world of fantasy. The big carnivals are usually held in Patras, Crete and Moschato. We were advised not to go to Patras at this time for 'security reasons'.

So we went to Moschato instead. Moschato is a district in the southern part of Athens. In previous years, the carnivals in Moschato was a big affair, with colorful parades and costumes. This year however, there was no parade. I asked those present why, and they said, " because of the crisis", and "no money".

There was a simple program and the children all dressed up together with their families tried to enjoy themselves. What impressed me was the smiles and the laughter, oblivious of the prevailing financial difficulty in Greece.

The Mayor reportedly invited performers for the pleasure of the children who participated in the games.

My friend and I had a great time, just looking at the children with their mothers & relatives having fun!

Tsiknopempti at Marriott

My friend and I had dinner at the the Zephyros restaurant in Marriott Ledra last Thursday, February 16. There was a buffet promo of 32 euros per person excluding drinks in celebration of Tsiknopempti. Tsiknopempti is all about eating meat: grilled, broiled, smoked as a final goodbye to meat a week before the start of Greek lent.

It was our first taste of fat Thursday. We had lamb chops, cold cuts, steak and other Greek meat dishes. The night was made more memorable by the music provided by the lovely pianist, Tzefi - Sofia.

Zephyros restaurant is spacious, clean and romantic ambiance. The buffet had other selections of delicious salads and desserts. The staff  were very nice and accomodating. It is worth going back there another time.

Greek Wine, Liqour and Food

This blog will be the start of a series of blogs on Greek wine, liqour and food. During our almost a year here in Athens i discovered wine, good sweet, dry and semi sweet wines are produced here and other Greek islands. In restaurants they serve local wines which are cheaper but taste comparably with the more expensive imported wines. And they can be in  pitchers or small glasses.

Last December my diplomat friend received several wines as
Christmas gift. So far we have tasted only three bottles at dinner time. And they leave a sweet taste in the pallate. Smooth , semi sweet wines made perfect by years of brewing.

There are also a number of local beers which are light and smooth. I like the Mythos beer, tastes like our San Miguel light.

I am now enjoying my stay here in Athens. I hope to be able to travel in more Greek islands and other cities. Greece is a beautiful place worth discovering inspite of the violent and destructive rallies and demonstrations recently.

Vasilopita, Jan 15, 2012

Vasilopita, or cutting of the cake was done after the 5pm mass at the St. John the Baptist Parish in Psychico, Athens. The cutting of the cake is a New Year tradition in Greece in honor of St. Basil. A coin is baked into the cake and whoever gets the slice with the coin in it is believed to be blessed for the year.

Fr. Alberto Paima cut the cake. The slices were distributed to us who were present. Unfortunately, nobody got the coin.

Also present during the event were the sisters of the Servant of the Lord and the Virgin Matara.

No coin there...Well, maybe next year!

Filipino Community Meeting

A few days after our arrival in Athens, my friend presided over the meeting of the Filipino community (Filcom) in Greece. This was their first meeting for this year to discuss plans and other relevant matters. The new Ambassador as well as the Labor Attache were also present.The meeting was attended by officers and representatives of the 38 Filipino groups registered with the embassy. 

There are around 5,600 Filipinos in Greece, according to the  Greek National Statistics Office (2006).And there are about 40,000 Filipino seafarers serving in various Greek ships.

My diplomat friend told me to attend the meeting to familiarize myself with the programs of the embassy for the Filcom. It was also an oppurtune time for me to get to know the officers and other members. As a government employee for 29 years, I also joined similar meetings with other government agencies. I was also the president of our employees association for 3 years. That is why joining Filcom is an activity which is near to my heart.

Those present participated actively in the discussions. And the questions and issues presented were favorably addressed by the Ambassador, the Labor Attache and my friend.The meeting lasted for about two hours after which a simple merienda was served.


The next meeting will be in February.