12 June 2015, Dubai, UAE. The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai and Northern Emirates commemorated the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Consulate General premises.

Acting Consul General Giovanni E. Palec led the Flag-raising Ceremony at 7:00 in the morning with the officers and personnel of the Consulate General, together with the officers and staff of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, OWWA, PAGIBIG and SSS in attendance led by Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, and a few leaders of the Filipino Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates.

After the flag-raising ceremony, the reading of the messages of the Secretaries of the Department of Labor and the Department of Foreign Affairs were read by Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz and Consul Ferdinand P. Flores, followed by the reading of the messages of the Vice-President and the President of the Philippines, which were read by Consul Ryan C. Pondoc and Acting Consul General Giovanni E. Palec.

The officers and staff, and some guests were treated with a hearty Filipino breakfast such as tapa, sinangag, fried eggs, daing, sopas and bread, fresh fruits, coffee and canned juices.

At 8:00 in the morning, the whole team of the Consulate General and POLO-OWWA proceed to Al Nasr Leisureland to join in the celebration of the 2015 Philippine Independence Day with the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

The event were highlighted by the non-stop shows, job fair, games, raffle draws and the appearance of invited artists from the two competing networks in the Philippines, GMA 7 and ABS-CBN.