PH Embassy in Riyadh Holds Diplomatic Reception Celebrating 121st Anniversary of PH Independence and 50th Anniversary of PH-Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Relations
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto (first row, sixth from right), Madam Jo C. Alonto (front row, sixth from left) and the Officers, Staff and Spouses of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. (Riyadh PE photo)
RIYADH 08 January 2020 — The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh hosted a Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The reception was held on 18 December 2019 at the King Fahad Cultural Theatre, where the Embassy held its Diplomatic Reception for the first time.
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto led Philippine Embassy Officials in welcoming the Ambassadors, Heads of Missions and other officials and members of the Diplomatic Corp in Riyadh, as well as Saudi Officials led by the Deputy Emir of Riyadh Province Faisal Alsodairi, who was the Guest of Honor for the evening.
Also attending the reception were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella, who was joined by his Assistant Secretary Eduardo R. Menez and Acting Director, Khrystina P. Corpuz-Popov, as well as Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson.
In his speech, Ambassador Alonto underscored the strong bilateral relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, saying that the peoples of the two countries had been enjoying relations prior to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, as Filipino Muslims were already engaging in Hajj and Umrah to the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. The Ambassador said that the Kingdom is now home to Overseas Filipinos comprising about one percent of the total Philippine population, and have been an integral part of the transformation of Saudi Arabia into an economic power. He also said that the Philippines and Saudi Arabia supported each other in various international and multilateral bodies, including defending against politically motivated attacks against their sovereignty. The Ambassador also thanked Saudi Arabia for the Kingdom’s support for the peace process in Mindanao in the Southern Philippines.
After the Ambassador’s message, a short video presentation was shown to the guests, which highlighted key moments and milestones in the Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, including exchanges of high level visits and signing of agreements.
Guests were then treated to a cocktail dinner and live musical performances from Ms. Jasmine Roa, a Saudi-based Filipina, and an all-Saudi band from Music Station Entertainment.
The reception culminated in a special cultural performance entitled “Pangarap Arts Festival” held at the Hall B of the King Fahad Cultural Theater. “Pangarap Arts Festival” is a collaborative performance consisting of traditional and contemporary dance, music, and audio-visual numbers from artists of the group “Para Sa Sining”. The performance was developed specifically for the commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 50th Anniversary of PH-KSA Diplomatic Relations by the DFA Office of Strategic Communications and Research.
The Performance is divided into three parts, Panaginip (Dream), Bangungot (Nightmare), and Pangarap (Ambition), which covers three periods of Philippine history, namely: pre-colonial, colonial, and post-independence which includes the Diaspora of Filipinos to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
At the end of the performance, Ambassador Alonto thanked the guests for attending the reception and being part of a special milestone in Philippine-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations. END
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh hosted a Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 18 December 2019. (Riyadh PE photo)
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto (front row, third from right) and the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is joined by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson (in black gown, front row, third from left). (Riyadh PE photo)
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella delivers a message from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and introduces the Pangarap Arts Festival. (Riyadh PE photo)
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella and the Embassy Officials are joined by the performers of the Pangarap Arts Festival after their performance. (Riyadh PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKSA or https://twitter.com/PHLinKSA.