(Photos from top to bottom): (Top) The Hague PE family during the Philippine Independence Day picnic at Spaarnwoude, The Netherlands on 03 June 2017 (Photo courtesy of Mr. Eric Alders); (middle) Ambassador Ledda with Mrs. Ledda and Rolly Ledda posing with Mr Pieter Heiligers, Mayor of Haarlemmerleide and Spaarnwoude and his spouse, The Netherlands; (bottom: Embassy personnel render consular information services at the Philippine Embassy booth (Lower photos courtesy of Ms. Marijoy Elshof).
06 June 2017 – The Philippine Embassy in The Hague, The Netherlands kicked off celebrations for the 119th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence with its participation at and sponsorship of the Philippine Independence Picnic at Spaarnwoude Houtrak in Haarlemmerleide, The Netherlands on 03 June 2017.
Organized by the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation Netherlands (KFFN), a Filipino-Dutch organization in the Netherlands, the Philippine Independence Picnic is the biggest annual event celebration that brings together both Filipino and Dutch cultures. The whole day event showcased local talent performing Filipino-Dutch songs, dances and games.
Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda gave the opening remarks and enjoined everyone to observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Marawi and the Resorts World incidents. Afterwards, he welcomed Mr. Pieter Heiligers, the Mayor of the municipality of Haarlemmerleide where Spaarnwoude is located, and his wife to the Embassy booth, where they and other guests enjoyed some Filipino cuisine.
The Embassy also provided consular information services at its booth and entertained several queries from Filipinos on a range of consular issues. END