PH, France Launch 75th Anniversary of Formal Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, Madame Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, and Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs and (concurrently) Treaties and Legal Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce grace the launch of the 75th Anniversary of Philippine-French Diplomatic Relations.
PASAY CITY, 28 June 2021 – The 75th Anniversary of the Formal Establishment of Philippine-French Diplomatic Relations was launched on Sunday, 26 June 2022, at Gallery 7 of the Pintô Art Museum in Antipolo City, Rizal.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Madame Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, and Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce were among the guests of honor. Visiting French Senator Samantha Cazebonne and the French National Men’s Volleyball Team, who won the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics gold medal, also graced the event.
In her speech, French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz spoke of the meaningful, long-standing relations between Filipinos and the French, formalized only on 26 June 1947. She also shared the investment, volunteerism, development contribution, French language teaching, conduct of scientific research, and touristic activities of the French in the Philippines. Ambassador Boccoz described the celebration to commemorate this milestone event to be “year-long” and expressed her gratitude for the advancement of both countries’ relations despite the pandemic.
For his part, Secretary Locsin spoke of the events predating the forging of diplomatic relations of both countries, the implications of the 1947 Treaty of Friendship between the Philippines and France, French businesses in the Philippines, and the maritime cooperation of both countries. Echoing the French national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, Secretary Locsin wished both the Philippines and France the freedom to continue friendship and cooperation, equality and reciprocation in the actions of both countries, and the spirit of brotherhood to advance common interests.
Philippine Ambassador to Paris Junever Mahilum-West also graced the event via Zoom. She spoke of the Philippine Embassy’s activities to commemorate the milestone anniversary, including the exhibit of the works of the late Filipino painter Macario Vitalis in the Parisian suburb of Puteaux from 10 April to 05 June 2022, Philippine performers in the Fête de la Musique in Paris on 21 June 2022, and the installation of the bust of Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal at the Place José Rizal in the 19th arrondissement (district) of Paris on 23 June 2022.
Officials and guests in Antipolo, as well as those virtually attending from Paris made a toast for the continuity of the friendship and advancement of the shared future of both countries.
During the anniversary launch, Secretary Locsin and Ambassador Boccoz were joined by Madame Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Pintô Art Museum owner Dr. Joven Cuanang, and Museum Pasifika (Bali, Indonesia) owner Philippe Augier to inaugurate the exhibit “Diamond in the Rough.” The exhibit, which runs in Pintô Art Museum until 7 August 2022, features works by Filipinos who lived in France - including Vitalis, who lived in and was embraced by the local artists’ communities in Puteaux and Brittany - and French artists who live or have lived in the Philippines.
Also featuring prominently in the exhibit are sculpted works by the French Post-Impressionist artist and Van Gogh contemporary Paul Gauguin, which are owned and brought to the Philippines by Augier.
There will be more activities to commemorate this milestone anniversary of Philippine-French diplomatic relations, in the field of visual arts, music, poetry, theater, and mutual promotion of trade and economic relations between both countries. END
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. delivers a speech during the launch of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-France Diplomatic Relations at the Pintô Art Museum, Antipolo.
Madame Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, Pintô Art Museum owner Dr. Joven Cuanang, and Museum Pasifika owner Philippe Augier cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the exhibit “Diamond in the Rough.”