Filipino Independence Day was celebrated in style across the fleet, with crew coming together to honour Filipino culture, community and tradition through unforgettable events filled with pride, energy and togetherness.
Arvia: A special Celebration at Sea
Crew onboard Arvia marked the occasion with a memorable programme of events, bringing colleagues together.
The day began with Arvia welcoming guests for a Catholic Mass held in the Headliners Theatre. Bishop Javier Vilanova, Auxiliary Bishop of Barcelona, led the service alongside Father Michael Go, Deacon Ricardo Rodríguez-Martos and Stella Maris Chaplain Jeronimo Dadin. This was a particularly significant occasion, marking the Bishop’s first visit to a cruise ship to celebrate Mass.
The service carried deep meaning for the many Filipino crew members onboard with crew participating in readings and Holy Communion. Thanks to the Production Manager and team, the theatre was beautifully transformed into a place of worship. Special thanks also go to Sam Ryall, Limelight Band Leader, who provided live keyboard music and translated hymn lyrics into Tagalog, enabling more crew to take part in their native language. Following the service, the visitors spent time in the Crew Mess meeting crew and sharing fellowship, creating a warm and memorable experience for all.
Celebrations then continued with a moving flag ceremony, where the Filipino flag was respectfully lowered by First Officer Michael and Third Officer Kyle. This was followed by the Filipino National Anthem. And was followed by a beautifully choreographed dance performance in traditional attire. The group’s energy and dedication earned huge applause, with special recognition to Andrey, Arsenit, Babylyne, Caroline, Abigail, Danica, Sharifa and Mheg for their fantastic performance.
A big thank you also goes to the Food & Beverage team for delivering beautifully presented food stations and a true taste of the Phillipines. The buffet featured favourites including lumpia, fried chicken, pancit noodles, Jollibee-style spaghetti, crispy pata, rice and bread rolls. Desserts were equally impressive, with a stunning Independence Day cake and a popular halo-halo station allowing crew to build their own sweet treats.
Aurora: Two days of fun and Filipino pride
Onboard Aurora, celebrations spanned two days, bringing crew together through music, games and shared traditions.
The festivities began on 11 June with a lively Disco, where crew proudly wore traditional Filipino attire. The highlight of the evening was an energetic dance showdown from the F&B team, with the dance floor filled with music, excitement and celebration.
On 12 June, activities continued with a focus on inclusion, ensuring night workers didn’t miss out. Parlour games brought laughter and friendly competition, while the F&B and Galley teams prepared a special lunch and celebration cake for everyone to enjoy. Free soft drinks from the SWC added to the relaxed, festive atmosphere.
One of the most anticipated moments was the Pinoy Henyo game, which brought plenty of fun and engagement. The celebrations also included a group performance of the Philippine National Anthem, reinforcing a strong sense of pride and unity.
The event ended on a high with a lively karaoke night that ran into the early hours, with crew showcasing their singing talents and creating a joyful and memorable finish.
Across all ships Filipino Independence Day was a fantastic celebration of culture, heritage and community. Thank you to Arvia and Aurora for sharing their events. If you’ve taken part in an event recently, get in touch by submitting your story, here.
1 Comment
It would be great if the company noticed about Ukrainian independent day too. There are plenty of ukrainians working abroad, and such a thing like recognition would be very helpful to support people. Especially while ukrainians fighting for be independent righ now.
and also. it’s chicken Kyiv, not “Kiev”.