Six Filipino executives starred in a "Power Lunch" in Singapore, one of three major events marking the 113th celebration of Philippine Independence Day. The Filipinos featured in the "Power Lunch" were:
investment banker and former Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho; news personalities Rico Hizon and Maria Ressa; and business executives Bing De Guzman, Margie Pagdanganan and Ramon Padiernos. According to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs, some 4,000 Filipinos residing and working in Singapore attended the "Power Lunch" on June 12, aside from Singaporeans and foreign expatriates who attended the event. "The highlight of this year's Filipino community independence day celebration was the Power Lunch, six seminars that offered Filipinos from various sectors a rare opportunity to learn from the expertise and experiences of top-caliber Filipino corporate executives," the DFA said. Diplomatic reception On June 10, the Embassy hosted a diplomatic reception at the Pan Pacific Hotel, attended by 300 guests from the host government, diplomatic corps, business circle, and the Filipino community. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, was the guest of honor at the reception. The reception featured a cultural exhibition showcasing Filipino creativity and ingenuity. The products that were featured included Philippine-made handicrafts and costumes from Filipino-owned "The Spirit of Asia," art works of Filipino artists including that of internationally celebrated Filipino contemporary artist, Juvenal Sanso and Mama Sita products. Filipino dishes were served to the guests such as lechon, specially flown in from Manila. Voiz@Work, a vocal quartet of Singapore-based Filipino professionals, serenaded the guests with two OPM songs, "Dahil Sa Iyo" and "Panalangin." The evening's festivities were concluded with guests swaying to ballroom music. Flag-raising ceremony On June 12, around 100 Embassy officers and staff and their families, and leaders and members of the Filipino community, attended the flag-raising ceremony held within the premises of the Embassy. Spiritual leaders from the Catholic, Protestant, and Islamic faiths led the ecumenical service. The talented Singapore-based Filipino chorale, PsalmiDeo, led the singing of Lupang Hinirang and Bayan Ko, and rendered a soulful rendition of Ikaw. Grand fiesta The third event was the "Grand Fiesta 2011: Pinoy, Malaya at Responsableng Bayani" at the Hong Lim Park, organized by the Pilipino Independence Day Council Singapore (PIDCS) - a group composed entirely of volunteers from the Filipino Community in Singapore, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy. The festivities began at 8:00 a.m. with a Holy Mass and ecumenical service. The day-long event featured hourly raffle draws and various events, such as an oratorical and essay-writing competition, a photo of the day contest, a quiz bee, an "Amazing Race", and palarong Pilipino, in which participants won round trip tickets to the Philippines. The program featured a variety of cultural presentations by local artists, as well as performances by popular celebrities led by Dingdong Dantes, Rachelle Ann Go, Anton Diva, and Wency Cornejo. - VVP, GMA News 
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