AS in previous years, our embassy in the Philippines celebrates México´s Independence Day this September—one of the most important onomastics in our country, traditionally accompanied by a special ceremony to commemorate the women and men who fought for our right to self-determination.
In 2020, the event will of course include the well-known Grito de Dolores, a reminiscence of the sermon pronounced in the early hours of September 16, 1810, by the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, as he called on the people to defend their freedom.
On this occasion however, unlike in the past, the “Fiesta Nacional” was held online, as we took advantage of technology in these times of the pandemic. Its occurrence has represented challenges for everyone, and diplomatic missions are no exception. Thus, the unprecedented circumstances required creativity and imagination from the embassies to maintain contact with Mexican communities while continuing to promote national cultural expressions.
Without a doubt, the use of social networks and virtual tools have taken on an unparalleled importance in these moments of worldwide quarantines. The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aware of this reality, has developed a digital platform with the hashtag #DiplomaciaCulturalMX, which allowed us to continue our efforts to promote our culture, with a wide and diverse audiovisual, performing arts and literature offerings.
Magnifying messages
THE so-called new normal has required a certain degree of adaptation to the technological options available. It has brought new horizons of visibility by magnifying the scope of our messages and events. On September 15, the celebration by the Mexican Embassy for the 210th anniversary of the National Independence was done live through Facebook not only with our countrymen’s community in the Philippines, but also by anyone else in the world.
At the same time, another activity, the screening of the medium-length films 1810 and Mujeres X on September 16, was opened to the general public, regardless of their places of residence. This also applied to the promotion of children’s coloring materials, with Mexican motifs, which was shared online and could be downloaded anywhere, for the enjoyment of kids and their families.
The wreath-laying ceremony in the México Monument at Plaza Hidalgo in the City of Manila on September 16 was also an experience that was streamed online.
Perhaps the exception was our Mexican food festival, the menus of which was made available electronically.
In touch, online
DUE to the situation created by the health crisis, the Mexican Embassy will continue, for the rest of this year, privileging electronic media and online platforms in order to keep promoting México’s cultural richness and strengthening bilateral relations, along with a better understanding of our countries and a deepened presence of México in the Philippines.
It will be a pleasure for the embassy to keep in touch with the Mexican community and all of you, and to receive your feedback and comments regarding our cultural activities, through Facebook (@embamex.filipinas) and Twitter (@EmbaMexFil). We invite you to virtually accompany us in upcoming events and those scheduled this September, while we remember our National Independence to the cry of ¡Viva México!