Philippine Embassy Holds Diplomatic Reception Celebrating 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, 45th Anniversary of PH-Oman Diplomatic Relations
MUSCAT 18 June 2025 — On the occasion of the 127th Philippine Independence Day and the 45th anniversary of Philippines-Oman bilateral relations, the Philippine Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman hosted a diplomatic reception at the Sheraton Oman Hotel on 04 June 2025.
In attendance at the reception were over 300 guests and dignitaries, led by Dr. Nasser Rashid Abdullah Al Mawali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy as the guest of honor, along with senior officials from the State Council, A’Shura Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Armed Forces of Oman. Members of the diplomatic corps, Omani and Filipino business leaders, the media, and Filipino community leaders also joined the celebration.
The reception featured an exhibit displaying the intricate paintings of Madame Ana Algabre-Hernandez, while screens all over the venue featured both tourism and trade promotional videos from the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The venue was also lined up with booths of 12 featured Filipino-owned restaurants, bakeshops, and stores in Oman, where they served their specialty Filipino products ranging from kapeng barako, cassava cake, chicken sisig, turon, halo-halo, and puto, to name a few.
The reception buffet also featured curated Filipino dishes and delicacies, prepared by two Filipino chefs in Oman. Highlights of the spread were the Philippine mangoes from Guimaras, courtesy of the Department of Agriculture, and San Miguel beer for drinking guests, courtesy of San Miguel Corporation.
In his address, Ambassador Hernandez remarked, “Today, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we stand proud as a vibrant democracy in Southeast Asia, with a fast-growing economy, an empowered 110 million citizenry, and a strong presence in the global community”.
Ambassador Hernandez also mentioned that “Over the past four and a half decades, our two countries have built a relationship founded on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to peace, cooperation, and development,” marked by the continued support and protection that His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik extended to the more than 48,000 Filipinos who now call Oman their second home, and the successful release and repatriation in January of our 17 seafarers from MV Galaxy Leader through the invaluable intervention and mediation of the Oman Government.
The Ambassador’s remarks were succeeded by short promotional tourism videos of the Philippines, and a graceful “Singkil” dance performed by the PSO folk dance troupe.
The Embassy also launched an updated Filipino Community Resource List, a booklet featuring Filipino businesses ranging from restaurants, retail establishments, logistics companies, to beauty and wellness businesses, to name a few. The booklet is likewise published digitally in Post’s online channels.
The event closed with performances of Filipino singers based in Muscat, and an evening of Filipino songs played live by a Filipino band.
The event was concluded successfully with a heightened appreciation for Filipino heritage and a remarkable celebration of friendship and enduring partnership between the Philippines and Oman. END
For more information, visit https://www.muscatpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinOman/.