Filipino Musicians Headline PH Independence Day Reception in The Hague 

THE HAGUE, 15 June 2022 – The Philippine Independence Day reception in The Hague was extra special this year as not only did Philippine music, food and warm hospitality take center stage but it was also held at the Philippine Embassy’s newly-renovated chancery building. 

The occasion was an opportunity to highlight this year's Independence theme: “Kalayaan 2022: Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas” (Rise Towards the Challenge of a New Beginning) as the renovation of the 150-year old, iconic Chancery signals a new beginning for the Embassy.  

Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya highlighted three themes in his address during the event: the Philippines, with its strong economic fundamentals and democratic institutions, having recently held a peaceful and credible elections, warmly welcomes investors and tourists, including Dutch nationals; bilateral relations remain productive and mutually beneficial; and the Philippines is committed to open and inclusive multilateralism in its engagement with the international community. “Strong democracy, sound economic fundamentals, and the Philippines' unceasing drive to work with its international partners hold the promise of a better Philippines in the years to come,” Ambassador Malaya said. 

The reception featured musical performances by Filipino artists in The Netherlands, namely the siblings Ms. Shermaine Velasco, who performed on piano the song “Gaano ko ikaw kamahal?” and Mr. Samuel Velasco played “Anak” on guitar. They then had a piano-guitar duet of the Filipino favorite “Ngayon at Kailanman”. Ms. Katreena Alyssa Beron concluded the program with a beautiful rendition of “Bituing Walang Ningning”. Ms. Sheryl Lyn Baas, a Filipino-Dutch who was crowned Miss Netherlands 2006, was the emcee for the reception. 

As the guests enjoyed the sumptuous fare prepared by the Embassy,  the Philippine Trade Investment Center-Brussels, led by Trade Attaché Magnolia Misolas-Ashley, offered “StroopwaPHLs,” a creative combination of the Netherlands’ popular waffle “stroopwafel” (provided by Van Schaiks) dipped in Philippine coconut sugar syrup and 80% bean-to-bar chocolate Mike and Becky, a Filipino chocolate brand in Belgium. 

Sponsors of the event were the Andre Kerstens B.V., distributor of the Philippines’ Don Papa Rum and Santa Ana Gin; the Manila Trading, importer and distributor of PH products; the Nida Philippine Products B.V.; and the Benbatz Fotografie. 

The program of the reception was streamed live on the Embassy’s Facebook page, facebook.com/PhinTheNetherlands. END

For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph or  https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.