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 Sinulog 01

The Filipino Community in Wales celebrated the Sinulog Festival in Swansea, Wales, on 19 January 2025, bringing together Filipinos and locals to honor the Santo Niño in a grand showcase of faith, culture, and community.

Ambassador and Mrs. Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., along with officials from the Philippine Embassy, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Rhenita Rodriguez, Honorary Consul for Wales David Bentley-Miller and Ms. Maricar Romanillos, joined the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet, Lord Mayor of Swansea Paxton Hood-Williams and Lady Mayoress Patricia Hood-Williams.

The highlight of the Sinulog Festival was the Holy Mass officiated by Archbishop George Stack, with Canon Jason Jones and Fr. Roderick Teriote. The Mass, held at the iconic Brangwyn Hall, drew scores of attendees, including members of the Filipino community from across Wales. The altar was adorned with numerous Santo Niño images brought by the faithful, which were blessed by the clergy during the celebration.

Climbs Life

Ambassador Locsin received representatives of CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Co-operative and the Co-operative College of the Philippines, who are in the UK for their annual executive co-operative leadership masterclass. 

 The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives as a way to raise awareness of their contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and to overall social and economic development.

67 2025 01

LONDON – Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. led the Philippine Embassy’s commemoration of the 128th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom at Sentro Rizal London on 19 December 2024.

Officers of the Knights of Rizal Area of United Kingdom and Ireland and Kababaihang Rizalista Inc.-London, and some members of the Filipino community were in attendance.

With the theme “Rizal sa Bagong Pilipinas: Buhay at Aral, Aming Nilalandas” (Rizal in the New Philippines: Life and Teachings, as our Guide), the commemoration revolved around honoring Dr. Rizal’s life and legacy. The program began with a wreath- laying ceremony at the bust of Dr. Rizal by Ambassador and Mrs. Locsin.

In the Ambassador’s remarks, he recalled Dr. Rizal’s heroism and patriotism through his works and teachings, saying, “Our national hero lived ideals exemplified by his bravery and integrity which guide us as we build wider bridges of understanding and stronger ties between the Philippines and the world.”

The event’s highlight was a dramatization through songs of a scene in Noli Me Tangere where Post personnel Ms. Zophia Irena Saikol Sunderland performed “Dahil sa Iyo” as Maria Clara and Mr. Christopher Francis Nicholas Millar sang “Bituing Marikit” as Crisostomo Ibarra.

The commemoration concluded with a salo-salo of Filipino food and fellowship with the guests.

feast of nazarene 01

It was a heartwarming gathering of devotion  that  Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Mrs. Ma. Lourdes Locsin witnessed when they attended the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene  on 05 January 2025 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Cricklewood, London. Devotees of the Black Nazarene from all over the UK came in the freezing cold to pay homage to the Poong Nazareno.  Filipino priests Fr. Tom Banayag, Fr. Irvin Morastil and Fr. Richard Magararu concelebrated the Holy Mass. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Filipino Community's celebration of the Feast of the Black  Nazarene in the UK.