Philippine Embassy in Moscow Celebrates 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, Highlights Cultural Diplomacy and Friendship with Russia
The Philippine Embassy commemorates the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence at the historic Hotel Metropol with music, diplomacy, and Filipino hospitality.
MOSCOW 02 July 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Moscow hosted a diplomatic reception at the historic Hotel Metropol on 25 June 2025 to commemorate the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence. The celebration, held at the heart of the Russian capital just off Red Square, was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Yurevich Rudenko and Director of the Department of Asia and the Pacific Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobyeva, as well as representatives from Russia’s academic, business, and cultural sectors, and members of the Filipino community in Moscow.
The program opened with a concert held at the Metropol’s grand Fountain Hall, featuring an impressive lineup of Russian classical artists: soprano Angelina Sergeevna Ogarkova, tenor Nikolay Viktorovich Erokhin, pianist Marina Nikolayeva Nikolya, and guest artist Inna Anatolyevna Baryshnikova. The repertoire included piano solos by Robert Schumann, arias from Mikhail Glinka’s The Winner, Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, and Emmerich Kálmán’s Silva.
A special highlight was the kundiman suite—Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Pakiusap, Usahay, and Kalesa. These Filipino classics performed by Russian artists showcased a deep cross-cultural appreciation and vocal versatility.
Guests were then ushered into the adjoining Red Hall for the formal program. Notably, the Red Hall holds historical significance as the venue of the 1950 banquet commemorating the signing of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, attended by leaders Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Russian Federation Igor G. Bailen emphasized Philippine independence day as a celebration of national identity and sovereignty. He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation, particularly in trade, education, cultural exchange, and multilateral engagement.
In connection with World Refugee Week, Ambassador Bailen also mentioned the Philippines’ long historical track record of at least nine waves in sheltering and protecting refugees fleeing political persecution, violence, and other calamities. He highlighted Filipino malasakit, hospitality, and friendship highlighting in particular the so-called 800 “white Russians” from Vladivostok in 1922 fleeing the Russian Revolution and another 6,000 white Russians from Shanghai in 1949 fleeing the Chinese Revolution. With respect to the latter, only the Philippines answered their distress call, providing safe haven for them in Tubabao Island in Samar province for four years.
Ambassador Bailen also looked forward to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, a great responsibility since it would be in a leadership role in guiding the region’s collective efforts toward peace, resilience, and inclusive economic growth amid a complex global environment. He likewise highlighted the Philippines’ active campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027–2028, reaffirming the country’s commitment to global peace, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order. Finally, he noted that the year 2026 will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.
Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko conveyed the Russian government’s official greetings and reiterated Moscow’s interest in continuing its collaborative relationship with the Philippines across various sectors, affirming the prominent place of the Philippines in Russia’s policy in the Asia-Pacific region. He looked forward to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year with a series of commemorative events from both sides. He also noted the symbolic value of formal relations having been established by President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., father of President Bongbong Marcos.
The event was held in collaboration with the Embassy’s cultural partner, the Irina Bogacheva Charitable Foundation Art Petersburg, which had also supported the Saint Petersburg leg of the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 2025 “Sinag” World Tour under the theme Harmony Across Horizons.
The evening concluded with a cocktail reception that delighted guests with a fusion of Russian hors d’oeuvres and Filipino favorites such as lumpiang shanghai, chicken barbecue, and kinilaw, alongside a vibrant display of Philippine tourism materials and curated cultural elements.
The Hotel Metropol, built in 1905 in the Art Nouveau style, remains one of Moscow’s most iconic historic landmarks, having hosted statesmen, artists, and dignitaries from around the world. Its opulent halls offered a fitting setting to commemorate Philippine national day and promote deepening bilateral ties with Russia.
This reception forms part of the Embassy’s continuing public diplomacy initiatives and contributes to the broader celebration of the 50th anniversary of Philippines–Russia diplomatic relations in 2026. END
For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/, https://twitter.com/phlinrussia or https://www.instagram.com/phlinrussia/.