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Brushing the Filipino image pressed at joint Independence, Migrant Workers Day rites
PRAGUE – Czechia-based Filipinos marked the 126th Philippine Independence Day and Migrant Workers Day in a joint celebration organized by the Philippine Embassy on June 15 here, calling for a renewed commitment to Filipino heritage and image.
Centering around the themes “Bagong Bayani, Kaagapay sa Bagong Pilipinas” and “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan,” Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin R. Meñez said that Filipinos abroad “must be able to continue to appreciate and inculcate in our children an appreciation of where we came from.”
Meñez also gave updates on the Czech government’s increased quota for Filipino workers from 5,500 to 10,300 per year, saying that 1,000 visas are already awaiting issuance at the Czech Embassy in Manila.
“We have a golden opportunity to make sure that our Filipino community in the Czech Republic is able to project a very good image of the Filipinos and the Philippines,” Meñez said.
Looking ahead, Meñez said he hopes the Filipino community in the Czech Republic could have its own festival next year where Filipinos can showcase their cultural heritage, cuisine, talents, products, and even businesses.
“As the Filipino community grows here, we should involve in our activities the younger Filipinos, the second generation, even the young students who joined their parents here in the Czech Republic. Huwag ninyong kalimutan ang ating Inang Bayan (Don't forget your Motherland),” Meñez added.
Hope for spring
Meanwhile, the Embassy also organized Pitik Mobile Photography Contest open to Filipinos here.
The contest yielded 13 entries which were all exhibited at the event, covering themes such as migrant worker stories, reunions with children, educational achievements, and symbolic representations of peace and renewal.
Out of these entries, three emerged as top picks. Valeriano Conde Onia Jr. secured the third place while the top spot had to be decided through onsite voting because of a tie. Eventually, Jiline dela Cruz Ico clinched the second place.
Ryan Julius Angeles Bañez won first place with 61% of onsite votes from the Filipino community present at the event for his photo featuring his family against a backdrop of blooming flowers and trees.
Bañez’ photo caption reads, “Tagsibol. Sa paglipas ng mga huling araw na puno ng lamig at nyebe, namumulaklak ang mga halaman sa pagsapit ng tagsibol. Katulad ng bagong Pilipino sa Czech Republic na nagsusumikap upang maranasan ang mas mausbong na kalagayan - ang diwa ng tagsibol.”
(Spring. As the last days of cold and snow pass, the plants bloom in time for spring. Like the new Filipino in the Czech Republic who works hard to experience a more flourishing state - the spirit of spring)
Bañez, a licensed medical doctor back in the Philippines, shared that his entry was inspired by his personal journey.
“When I was in the Philippines, I was a doctor, but I didn’t practice in the hospital. I did research. It wasn’t something that provided enough for the family financially, and I barely got to see them,” Bañez said.
Bañez moved to Singapore in 2019 with his wife and two kids and shifted to a completely different career from medicine to information technology (IT).
“Sometimes you have to break the barriers and challenge yourself. It’s like springing a new career as well,” he said.
Things were okay, Bañez shared, until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “It was another round of that winter feeling. Gloomy and sad,” he said.
Bañez later moved to the Czech Republic, where he now manages products under the same pharmaceutical company.
“When spring started and the flowers began to bloom, that’s when we realized that this is something more hopeful for us. Even though things were a bit difficult in the past, we realized that this can be something new for us to continue living and to enjoy life,” Bañez said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
