Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo expresses his gratitude to all Filipinos who went out of their way to help fellow Filipinos in distress.
17 June 2019 LONDON—“Bilang mga Filipino sa kasalukuyang panahon, tayo naman ang tinatawagan ngayon upang magpakita ng tapang at malasakit, habang ang Pilipinas ay patuloy na nagsisikap na labanan ang mga sakit ng lipunan na patuloy na umiiral (as present-day Filipinos, we are called to show courage and compassion as the Philippines continues to wrestle with the ills plaguing our society),” said Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo during the Philippine Independence Day Eucharistic Celebration led by the Filipino community at the Lady of Victories Church in Kensington on 16 June.
The Ambassador challenged all those who gathered to attend the mass to take inspiration from the great Filipinos who fought for the country’s freedom and to do their part in responding to the needs of the country. He also lauded the selflessness of overseas Filipinos who went out of their way to help fellow Filipinos in distress.
“We at the Embassy are privileged to witness so many acts of heroism and patriotism by Overseas Filipinos as they care for one another and for our kababayans here in the UK and back home,” he said. “True, these acts of heroism are not likely to make it to the history books, but they are no less significant, especially to those who are at the receiving end. These range from hours spent caring for a kababayan with terminal illness or physical disability, to providing shelter for those who have escaped situations of modern slavery, to assisting the Embassy in sending out ballots to overseas voters.”
The Ambassador said that the Embassy draws inspiration from these selfless acts in fulfilling its duty to serve the Filipino diaspora community in its areas of jurisdiction.
“We constantly look for ways to strengthen our political, economic and cultural ties with the UK so that our two countries and our peoples could mutually benefit from this strong friendship,” he said. “And with your help, we see to it that the partnership between the Embassy and the Filipino Community is sustained and strengthened.” END