PH Envoy on the Launch of the Mars Hope Probe: “We are Rooting for UAE”

Philippine Ambassador to United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (middle of top row) with Embassy personnel and Fil-Emiratis during online meetup to celebrate launch of Mars Hope Probe (Photo Courtesy of The Filipino Times)

ABU DHABI 26 July 2020 — Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hjayceelyn M. Quintana expressed the admiration and excitement of Filipinos on UAE’s successful launch of its Mars Hope Probe on 20 July 2020.

“The Filipinos are rooting for UAE as they embark on this journey of hope that shows what their collective aspirations can achieve, not only for themselves but also for the whole of humanity. Mabuhay ang UAE!,” said Ambassador Quintana as she organized a simple online meetup between Philippine Embassy officials and staff and young Filipino-Emiratis, to celebrate and mark the historic occasion. The virtual discussion was moderated by The Filipino Times reporter Neil Bie. The participants articulated how Filipinos highly view the UAE’s rapid scientific and technical advances, even as a young nation.

Ambassador Quintana further stated that the probe is a product of the UAE’s collaborative and forward-looking ethos, and with its successful launch makes the UAE a contributor to the furthering of human knowledge.

The Mars Hope Probe is the first of three planned Martian missions (the other two by the US and China) slated for launch this year. If it successfully reaches Mars, the UAE will join four other countries or regional groupings to have successfully sent a space mission to the Red Planet—the United States, the Soviet Union / Russia, the European Union, and India. END

For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/.