PHL Embassy in Madrid Celebrates Kalayaan 2017, Philippines-Spain Diplomatic Ties
Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Lhuillier led the Independence Day celebrations of Filipinos in Spain.
Mr. Fidel Sendagorta Gómez del Campillo, Director General of North America and Asia Pacific Affairs of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in his remarks as guest of honor, underscored the deep relations between the two countries and the renewed economic dynamism of the Philippines.
19 June 2017 - Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier together with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid led the celebration of the 119th Anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence through a two-fold event held on June 11 and 12 in Madrid.
On June 11, the Embassy officers and staff joined around 300 members of the Filipino Community in a Holy Mass at the Nuestra Señora del Espino celebrated by Rev. Fr. Mark Angelo Martinez Ramos, SVD.
The program began with a youth-led parade going to the church followed by a rondalla performance by members of the Tahanan Rondalla Group and a dance number by the Asociación de Mujeres Filipinas.
In his message, Ambassador Lhuillier underscored the importance of the personal contribution of every Filipino in effecting the change that our country needs. He also laid out his plans for greater country promotion in Spain and requested the community´s continued assistance and cooperation in the Embassy´s endeavors.
On June 12, Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier hosted a diplomatic reception at the Hotel InterContinental Madrid to continue to the Independence Day celebrations as well as to mark the 15th Philippines-Spain Friendship Day and the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Spain.
Around 450 guests from the Spanish Government, the diplomatic corps, the business community, international organizations, the academe, Filipino associations and the Filipino-Spanish community attended the event.
Mr. Fidel Sendagorta Gómez del Campillo, Director General of North America and Asia Pacific Affairs of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, was the event’s guest of honor. Director General Sendagorta, in his remarks, underscored the deep relations between the two countries and the renewed economic dynamism of the Philippines.
For this part, Ambassador Lhuillier reminded everyone of the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes in the name of freedom and underscored that shared history provides a lasting link between the Philippines and Spain.
The reception showcased Filipino musical talent through Ms. Alexandra Masangkay’s a capella rendition of the Philippine national anthem. Ms. Masangkay also rendered “Yo Te Dire,” with guitar accompaniment by Mr. Flor Aliganga. Ms. Masangkay is a Filipino-Spanish singer. She was the lead actress in the film “1898, Los Ultimos de Filipinas” which was screened in Spain in 2016.
Filipino talent was also displayed by Mr. Lawrence Aliganga, who played the Spanish National Anthem on the piano.
Filipino food was served at the reception. They were also treated to Don Papa Rhum, a premium aged small batch rum from Negros Occidental, Philippines.
For more information, visit www.madripe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassymadrid.com or https://www.facebook.com/embfilipinasmadrid. END
Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, Madame Edna Lhuillier, Minister and Consul General and Mrs. Fernandez and the personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and the Office of the Defense Attaché