Belated Happy Independence Day Pilipinas!

Our National Hero, Jose Rizal (photo courtesy of squidoo.com)

Did you know that our national Jose Rizal came to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) on his way to Germany?  And he thought the place was quite lovely!  Who would have thought right?  It was the Honorary Consul General William John Terrence Perera who shared this factoid with the Filipino community during the 113^th Philippine Independence Celebration in Sri Lanka last Saturday, 11 June 2011.

It was so comforting to see our kababayans (countrymen) in Sri Lanka.  Again, who would have thought the Filipinos here could actually fill a mid-sized ballroom?  They come in different shapes and sizes too!  Doctors, Engineers, Managers, Filipinos married to Sri Lankans, or Filipinos married to other nationalities who have been assigned to Sri Lanka.  It was also pretty to cool to be seated with Sri Lankan Airline Pilots (5 Pinoys that we got introduced to!  That’s quite a lot!) who seemed like they were my dad’s friends (hehe!).  It was also quite fascinating to see families as well. 

In the true spirit of Filipino family, who else to better entertain other than the kids with songs (both Filipino and contemporary) and some dancing (Interpretative Dance of Bayan Ko or the 90’s hit Macarena).  Not to mention the native Tinikling with audience participation.  But the moms and other ladies also made a run for the kids’ money with their high-energy dance number to the tune of JLo’s On The Floor.  It was such a fun-filled event although it would have been perfect if lechon (roasted suckling pig) was served.       

All in all, I was happy to part of this celebration albeit a short one.  Preggy-ness is not exactly compatible with partying.  But at least, my intense homesickness was cured, just for a night. 

If you wish to contact the Association of Filipinos in Sri Lanka, you may e-mail them at afsril@yahoo.com.

Details of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Sri Lanka:

41 Ernest De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7

2696321, 2522524

philcons@slt.lk

Office Hours from 900am to 430pm