PH Secretary for Foreign Affairs is Guest of Honor at 126th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Athens
Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and Mme. Novelyn A. Palec (center) with First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbarra Robianes (2nd-L), First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada (2nd-R) Labatt Cynthia Cruz (2nd-L), Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina (1st-R) and staff members of the Embassy and MWO-OUWWA
GREECE 01 July 2024 — Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo was the guest of honor at the diplomatic reception for the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence organized by the Philippine Embassy in Athens led by Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec, which was held on 20 June 2024 at the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens, Greece.
Secretary Manalo was joined by the members of the Philippine Delegation that came to Greece for the historic visit, namely: Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo Jose A. de Vega, Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Elena P. Algabre, Special Assistant Flaureen Dacanay, Office of European Affairs Acting Director Ajeet-Victor Panemanglor, and Embassy officials led by Ambassador Palec, First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbara G. Robianes, First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada, Labor Attache Cynthia Cruz, Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina and the rest of the Philippine Embassy personnel.
Secretary Manalo who was on a landmark visit to Greece, welcomed the esteemed officials of the Hellenic Republic, among whom were the Deputy Foreign Minister Costas Fragogiannis, President of the Greece-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group MP Stratos Simopoulos, Former Minister of Macedonia and Thrace MP Theodoros Karaoglou who is also a member of the Greece-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group, members of the diplomatic corps, maritime leaders and other partners of the Philippine Embassy, as well as the leaders of Filipino organizations in Greece.
Reflecting on the theme "Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan" or "Freedom, Future, History", Secretary Manalo spoke about the Philippines' rich tapestry of history and its journey from fighting valiantly for independence to becoming a thriving and free society today.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs then highlighted the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and Greece which will be celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. He talked about the two nations' similar experiences in advocating for democracy, cooperation in various fields especially maritime and their shared commitment to peace, prosperity and progress - common grounds that have strengthened their relationship through the years. He expressed hope of furthering the relationship and cooperation between the Philippines and Greece in the coming years.
"We are both seafaring nations, committed to enhancing maritime cooperation, and upholding regional peace and stability. The Philippines and Greece both work for the 17,000 Filipinos living and working in Greece today, as well as the 50,000 Filipino seafarers on Greek-flagged, managed and owned ships. They have been warmly welcomed and, in turn, have worked hard to contribute to the progress of this, their second home. I am certain that all of you here have a friend, colleague, or staff member who is a Filipino. I believe that, truly, our people have served as our best ambassadors." END
Secretary Enrique A. Manalo (center), Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and Mme. Novelyn A. Palec, with First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbara Robianes (2nd-L), First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada (2nd-R) and Embassy Staff
Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and Mme. Novelyn A. Palec with daughters Naomi Zarrin Palec (R) and Gianna Yzabel Palec (L)
Ambassador and Mme Giovanni E. Palec with Philippine Honorary Consul of Thessaloniki Nikolaos Margaropoulos
Ambassador and Mme. Govanni E. Palec with H.E. and Mme. Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan of Indonesia
Ambassador and Mme Govanni E. Palec with Mr. and Mrs. Pornsith Pibulnakarintr, Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. of Thailand
Officials from the Indonesian Embassy
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo (2nd-R) with Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz (2nd-L) and Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina (1st-L)
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo (center) with Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec (L) and Philippine Honorary Consul of Thessaloniki Nikolaos Margaropoulos (R)
First Secretary and Consuls Judy Barbara G. (L) Robianes and Consul Therese R. Cantada (R) with the leaders of Filipino community in Greece
First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada with Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief of Protocol Aglaia Balta
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo Jose A. De Vega (5th-L) with Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and the leaders of Filipino community organizations in Greece
Secretary Anrique A. Manalo with Amb. and Mrs. Giovanni E. Palec and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Costas Fragogiannis
Singing of the Philippine National Anthem
Amb. Giovanni E. Palec introduces Secretary Enrique A. Manalo as the guest of honor
Secretary Enrique A. Manalo Manalo delivers his message
Amb. and Mrs. Giovanni E. Palec with DFA Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo Jose A. de Vega
Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Amb. Giovanni E. Palec with Philippine Honorary Consul in Larnaca, Cyprus Charmagne Garcia-Laconico (1st-L), President of the Greece-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group MP Stratos Simopoulos (3rd-R), former Minister of Macedonia and Thrace MP Theodoros Karaoglou (2nd-R) and Philippine Honorary Consul in Thessaloniki, Greece and President of the World Federation of Consuls Nikolaos Margaropoulos (1st-R)
Amb. and Mrs. Giovanni E. Palec with Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief of Protocol Aglaia Balta
Amb. and Mrs. Giovanni E. Palec with Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs A9 Director for Asia and Oceania Spyridon Voulgaris
Amb. and Mrs. Giovanni E. Palec with Lt. Commander Ioannis Vichos, Policy Officer, Directorate for Shipping, Greek Ministry of Maritime and Insular Policy
Amb. and Mrs. Giovanni E. Palec with Indonesian Ambassador Bebeb A.K. Nugraha and Mrs. Djundjunan
Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Ambassador Govanni E. Palec with H.E. Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan of Indonesia (1st-R), Mr. Pornsith Pibulnakarintr, Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. of Thailand (2nd-L) and Ms. Bich Thuy Pham (1st-L), First Secretary of the Embassy of Viet Nam representing H.E. Le Hong Truong during the cake cutting of Philippine-flag designed cake made by Mrs. Novelyn Palec
Secretary Enrique A. Manalo with Deputy Foreign Minister of Hellenic Republic Costas Fragogiannis (3rd- R), Ambassador Govanni E. Palec, H.E. Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan of Indonesia (1st-R), Mr. Pornsith Pibulnakarintr, Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. of Thailand (2nd-L) and Ms. Bich Thuy Pham (1st-L), First Secretary of the Embassy of Viet Nam representing H.E. Le Hong Truong
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo (center) with Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and Philippine Honorary Consul of Piraeus Harry Vafias
Students of the Philippine School in Greece (PSG) during performance of traditional dance “Itik-Itik” and “Tinikling”
Amb. Palec and Consul Judy (center) with Filipino Community leaders in Greece
Athens PE personnel