Philippine Flag Raises in Colma for 127th Philippine Independence Day
Officers from the Colma Police Department raise the Philippine flag in a ceremony held at the Community Center in Colma, California on 11 June 2025, as Philippine Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales (second photo, before the podium) sings the Philippine national anthem (San Francisco PCG photos)
SAN FRANCISCO 20 June 2025 — Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer joined the officials and residents of Colma, California on 11 June 2025 for the annual flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence as part of the special meeting of the Town of Colma City Council.
Consul General Ferrer expressed his gratitude to Colma Mayor Ken Gonzalez, Councilmember and former Mayor Joanne F. del Rosario, and officials of the town of Colma for hosting the Philippine flag-raising ceremony.
Consul General Ferrer lauded Councilmember Del Rosario noting that “her service as a longtime councilmember and four-time mayor of Colma, reflects the values shared by so many Filipino Americans: hard work, compassion, and a deep commitment to community.”
A signed proclamation was presented to Consul General Ferrer by Councilmember Del Rosario declaring “Philippine Independence Day” in Colma. Under the proclamation, the Town of Colma was recognized as having the first-ever Filipino American mayor of any city in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as being the first municipality in the U.S. to have two Filipino American women serving together as its Mayor and Vice Mayor. The strong representation of the Filipino-American Community in Colma’s business and civic life was also recognized, with the special mention of various enterprises as well as the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center and ALLICE Kumares and Kumpares, which promote health, wellness, and community empowerment. END
The Philippine Consulate, led by Consul General Neil Ferrer, joined the Colma officials and the Filipino-American community in commemorating the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence at the Colma Community Center (San Francisco PCG photos)
Consul General Neil Ferrer delivers his remarks during the Philippine flag-raising ceremony at the Community Center in Colma, California on 11 June 2025. (San Francisco PCG photo)
From L-R – Trade Commissioner Kristine Anne Umali, Vice Consul Glaiza Quarteros, Consul Adrian Baccay, Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, Councilmember Joanne Del Rosario, Colma Mayor Ken Gonzalez, Tourism Attaché Soleil Tropicales at the Philippine flag-raising ceremony on 11 June 2025. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Ferrer receives from Colma Councilmember Joanne Del Rosario a proclamation, declaring “Philippine Independence Day” in Colma. (San Francisco PCG photo)
For more information, visit http://pcgsanfrancisco.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/ or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsf/.
