24 June 2015 - In line with this year´s commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon (Return Voyage), the Philippine Embassy in Mexico, in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Acapulco presented a one-hour cultural program entitled “Meeting of Friends: Manila-Acapulco” alongside a painting exhibit of Filipino artist Manuel D. Baldemor on June 20 at the Fort of San Diego in Acapulco.
Acapulco Mayor Luis Uruñuela Fey, National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) Director Francisco Javier Lopez Morales, Fort of San Diego Director Victor Hugo Jasso and Philippine Honorary Consul to Acapulco Dr. Mario De La O Almazan attended the program. Members of the various cultural organizations in Acapulco were also present.
The program started with the ribbon-cutting led by Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. and the attending officials, and opened for public view the paintings of famous Filipino painter Manuel Bademor exhibited in the museum’s gallery. The exhibit included the large painting donated by Mr. Baldemor to the Municipal Government of Acapulco, which depicted important sites of Acapulco and Manila. Around 15 paintings of Mr. Baldemor were displayed.
Mayor Uruñuela Fey, in welcoming the Philippine Embassy delegation, remarked that the Philippines is a friend which, although so far, is very close to their hearts. He expressed his appreciation for the painting donated by Mr. Baldemor to the government of Acapulco and looks forward to the celebrations in October of the 450th anniversary of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon (Return Voyage).
Ambassador Dilem conveyed his gratitude to the municipal government of Acapulco for inviting the Philippine Embassy to celebrate the commemoration of brotherhood between Manila and Acapulco. He mentioned that the Philippine-Mexico relations started 450 years ago and the two countries share a deep bond visible in the many similarities in their traditions, in their national characters and identities, and in the ease with which Filipinos and Mexicans relate to one another.
Highlights of the cultural program included Philippine folkdances such as the karatong–subli, banga dance, binasuan and a recreation of Bacolod´s masskara festival. Consular Assistant Fernando Carillo, Jr. interpreted the Flipino love song “Dahil Sa ‘Yo” while the Embassy’s reception officer Bernadeth Ablay rendered songs in Filipino (Para sa Akin) and Spanish (Mis Sentimientos). Ms. Georgina Aranzabal, Embassy´s translator/interpreter sang “Maria Bonita”, a song very popular in Acapulco. Vice-Consul Mikhal de Dios and Consular Assistant Fernando Carillo, Jr., demonstrated the Philippines´ national martial art “arnis de mano”
The program was capped with a fashion show of Filipino dresses such as the barong tagalong, maria clara, terno and Muslim attire modeled by the members, spouses and children of the Embassy staff and Filipino community members. The children’s participation in the fashion show was applauded by the audience. END