Year-End Appreciation Reception Spotlights Cultural Heritage and PH Diplomacy with Asia-Pacific
The members of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs as of year-end 2019. (DFA photo by Nilo Palaya)
MANILA 26 December 2019 — Enchanting and historic Paco Park was festive last 09 December 2019 as the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) hosted its annual Year-End Appreciation Reception for its partners in the diplomatic corps, Philippine government agencies, and other organizations.
The Honorable Secretary of Education Leonor Magtolis Briones, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration J. Eduardo Malaya, Executive Director of the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice, and Peace Undersecretary Emmanuel T. Bautista, and Education Undersecretary Jesus Lorenzo R. Mateo led the roster of distinguished guests from the Philippine government.
The resident diplomatic missions in Manila of Asia-Pacific countries were also well-represented, with the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, and Vietnam gracing the event. Ranking officials from these diplomatic missions as well as those of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States, were also in attendance. Officials from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Japan Foundation, and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines (FFCAP) also attended.
Addressing the gathering, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre recounted the Office’s many accomplishments for the year and paid tribute to ASPAC’s broad circle of partners for their support and indispensable role in the attainment of the Office’s program of work for 2019. “As 2020 beckons, I am pleased that we have demonstrated and fostered nothing but friendship, harmony, and solid cooperation which ultimately find expression in the amity between the Philippines and Asian and Pacific countries,” the Assistant Secretary acknowledged.
A chamber group from the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the country’s best known and most versatile orchestras, treated guests to a show of Filipino classical music artistry throughout the evening. The ensemble performed a choice repertoire of classical showpieces, Filipino and western popular music favorites, and in the spirit of the season, holiday melodies.
With the generous support of the National Parks Development Committee, the reception also sought to raise awareness and appreciation among the diplomatic corps of the history and unique allure of Paco Park. Inaugurated in 1822 as the Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio, it served as the place of interment for the remains of national hero Dr. José P. Rizal, as well as the three catholic priest-martyrs of 1872, Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora known collectively as GOMBURZA. Paco Park was officially designated a “national cultural treasure” in 2015.
Under the leadership of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., and the guidance of the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, ASPAC supports Philippine diplomacy with over 40 Asian and Pacific countries, and monitors and analyzes developments throughout the region. It supervises 19 Philippine Embassies and nine Philippine Consulates General. END
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre (left) with the Honorable Secretary of Education Leonor Magtolis Briones (right). (Photo courtesy of Carlo Bongon)
Enchanting and historic Paco Park was front and center last 09 December 2019 as the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs hosted its annual Year-End Appreciation Reception for its partners in the diplomatic corps, Philippine government agencies, and other organizations. (Photo courtesy of Carlo Bongon)