Photo Exhibit Highlights 50 Years of PH-SG Friendship
Showcased in the exhibit is a copy of the letter from then Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo addressed to Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs S. Rajaratnam dated 15 May 1969, announcing the elevation of the Philippine Consulate General in Singapore to an Embassy, marking the formal establishment of PH-SG diplomatic relations. (Photo: DFA)
SINGAPORE 14 October 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Singapore, in cooperation with the National Library Board (NLB), successfully launched the photo exhibit entitled, “50 Years of Golden Friendship,” at the Singapore Central Public Library on 27 September 2019.
Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap and Madame Lourdes Josephine Gotianum Yap, together with NLB’s Assistant Chief Executive (Public Library Services) Catherine Lau, welcomed guests from the diplomatic corps and Filipino community members. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore was represented by Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia II Directorate Tham Wanrong.
Ambassador Yap acknowledged the support of NLB for hosting the exhibit and coordinating the use of some of the pictures preserved by the National Archives of Singapore.
“While a picture may be worth a thousand words, these pictures alone barely touch the comprehensive nature of our friendship with Singapore. They are just a few snapshots of so many milestones and breakthroughs that a photo exhibit alone cannot fully capture. Nonetheless, they should serve as inspiration for us to further develop our relations and friendship in the context of bilateral, ASEAN, and international cooperation and partnership,” Ambassador Yap said in his welcome remarks.
One of the highlights of the exhibit was the only known copy of the letter of then Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo addressed to his Singapore counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs S. Rajaratnam. The letter, which mentions the upgrading the Philippine Consulate General in Singapore to a full-fledged Embassy, was recently unearthed in the archives of the Department of Foreign Affairs during preparations for the 50th anniversary celebration.
The National Archives of Singapore is also a treasure trove of memories as it has in its collection a picture of Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez and Yang di-Pertuan Negara Yusof Ishak taken in April 1962, three years before Singapore became a sovereign state in 1965.
The photo exhibit also showcases the various activities organized for the Golden Jubilee, capped by pictures from the recent State Visit to the Philippines of Singapore President Halimah Yacob as she was given ceremonial arrival honors in Malacañang. During her side trip to Davao, the Singaporean President saw the famous Philippine eagle and interacted with the Mindanao youth, in line with her interfaith advocacy.
The photo exhibit will run until 31 October 2019. END
Ambassador Joseph Del Mar Yap delivers his welcome remarks during the opening of the photo exhibit “50 Years of Golden Friendship” on 27 September 2019 at the Central Public Library of Singapore. (Photo by Allan P. Casupanan)
The only known copy of the letter of then Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo addressed to his Singapore counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs S. Rajaratnam. The letter mentions the upgrading the Philippine Consulate General in Singapore to a full-fledged Embassy displayed in the photo exhibit on 27 September 2019. (Photo by Allan P. Casupanan)
Guests during the opening of the exhibit “50 Years of Golden Friendship.” (Photo by Allan P. Casupanan)
For more information, visit https://www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.