PH Consulate General, Spanish Army Celebrate Philippine-Spanish Friendship with Commemorative Plaque on 124th Anniversary of Los Ultimos de Filipinas’ Return to Spain

Viewing the exhibit with Lieutenant General Manuel Busquier Saez and other military officers

BARCELONA 26 September 2023 – The vibrant spirit of Filipino-Spanish friendship came alive during the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for the 124th anniversary of the arrival from the Philippines of the “Los Ultimos de Filipinas” or the 33 Spanish soldiers who refused to surrender and continued to fight Filipino forces following the end of the Spanish Empire and departure from the Philippines in 1898. The event was organized by the Spanish Army and held on 21 September 2023 at the Gobierno Militar building in Barcelona’s historic center.

The Los Ultimos de Filipinas continue to be popular in Spain for the heroism they exhibited. 

Philippine Consul General in Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro was welcomed by the Inspector General of the Spanish Army, Lieutenant General Manuel Busquier Saez, with other high-ranking military officials. Also present during the event were Ms. Josefa “Pepin” Beltran, Deputy-delegate of the Spanish government in Catalonia as well as representatives from the Consular Corps in Barcelona.

The two-hour event also provided an opportunity for the Consulate General to present Philippine culture through Singkil. An introduction on the history of Singkil was delivered prior to the performance, emphasizing its importance to Philippine folklore, as well as its pre-Islamic and pre-Hispanic roots. The dance was performed by Barcelona-based Fiesta Filipina Group from St. James the Lesser Church, and in the introduction, the Consulate also highlighted the important role played by the Filipino community in Barcelona. The visual impact of the performance and the performers’ skills received enthusiastic applause from the more than 400-member audience in attendance. 

At the end of the program, Consul General Lazaro delivered a message that touched on the historical links, shared heritage and Filipino diaspora in Barcelona. She also talked about the Baler siege from the Philippine perspective, highlighting its importance to Philippine history, particularly the magnanimous act of President Emilio Aguinaldo of issuing a decree stating that the 33 Spanish soldiers shall not be treated as enemies or prisoners of war but as friends. 

Consul General Lazaro also shared that the Philippine government actually went so far as to establish Republic Act No. 9187, declaring the 30th of June each year as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. She ended her message by emphasizing that, “We come together not as the victors and the vanquished, but as equals, as friends.  Next year’s commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Last Spanish soldiers in the Philippines should go beyond the celebration of the return of the Los Ultimos de Filipinas in Barcelona, and the end of the Spanish Empire in the Philippines. We should focus on the present and the future - what history has taught us, and what history can give us.” 

For more information and updates, please visit the Consulate's official website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X (@PHinBarcelona). END

Unveiling of commemorative plaque

Unveiling of commemorative plaque

Viewing the exhibit with Lieutenant General Manuel Busquier Saez and other military officers

Fiesta Filipina Group performing the Singkil dance

Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro addressing the audience