PH Ambassador to Chile Presents Credentials to Chilean President
Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat presents her Credentials to the Chilean President Gabriel Boric on 25 April 2023 at the Palacio La Moneda (Photo courtesy of Presidential Palace).
SANTIAGO 27 April 2023 — Newly arrived Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Chile, Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, formally presented her credentials to Chilean President Gabriel Boric in an afternoon ceremony held on 25 April 2023 at the Palacio La Moneda (Presidential Palace), central Santiago.
Ambassador Balatbat was given full military honors by the Chilean Armed Forces upon her official convoy’s arrival in La Moneda. Accompanied by Chile’s Deputy Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador marched and inspected the troops prior to entering Palace grounds for her main audience with the Chilean President.
Joined by Chief of Protocol Manahi Pakarati and the President’s Aide-de-Camp, Ambassador Balatbat entered Salon O’Higgins where President Boric and Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Gloria de la Fuente awaited. The Ambassador presented her credentials in Spanish and afterward introduced the members of her delegation, namely: Consul General Jim Tito. San Agustin, First Secretary and Consul Dennis John C. Briones, Protocol Officer Brian Peter C. Bustamante, and Secretary and Assistant to the HOP Paula Rodriquez.
During her tête-à-tête with President Boric, the two officials discussed ways to strengthen PHL-CHL relations and continue the positive momentum the two countries presently enjoy. Strategic programs and initiatives tackled included the long-term prospects of signing a PHL-CHL Free Trade Agreement (FTA), cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), and collaboration within the ambit of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico) where the Philippines is a new Observer. President Boric specifically conveyed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s gifts, which were delivered to the MFA’s Protocol Directorate a day prior to the ceremony.
The official ceremony concluded with a full military and departure honors for the Ambassador, with the playing of the Lupang Hinirang serving as highlight.
As a token of appreciation, the Ambassador hosted all assisting MFA Protocol and DIRAPAC (Directorate for Asia and the Pacific) officials, and the Carabineros (Chilean National Police) at the Chancery, where they enjoyed a variety of Filipino and Chilean dishes, and ended the evening with a toast of local champagne and chardonnay.
Similarly presenting their credentials to the Chilean President on 25 April 2023 were the resident ambassadors of Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador and Palestine. END
Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat with Chilean President Gabriel Boric and MFA Undersecretary Gloria de la Fuente.
Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat during her tête-à-tête with President Boric, the two officials discussed ways to strengthen PHL-CHL relations and continue the positive momentum the two countries presently enjoy.
Inspection of troops
Group photo of the Philippine Embassy team, MFA and Carabineros (Chilean National Police) at the Philippine Chancery.
For more information, visit https://www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.