GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN THE SYMPOSIUM ON THE MANILA GALLEON AND TORNAVIAJE: THE FIRST CONNECTION EUROPE-AMERICA-ASIA

Brussels, 7 December 2023 - Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda was guest speaker at the symposium on “The Manila Galleon and the Tornaviaje: the first connection Europe-America-Asia”. 

Coinciding with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU (June - December 2023), the cultural association of Rapid Alert System-Heroes de Cavite (RAS-HdC), together with other associations and civil society organizations, the symposium is part of a series of historical-cultural activities aimed at presenting the past and the current history of Spain connected with Europe and Hispanic America.

Quoting Nick Joaquin, National Artist for Literature and one of our most celebrated writers, Ambassador Ledda said, “As the entrepot between Asia and the West, Manila became the number one city in the Orient in the galleon days. Philippine agriculture, commerce, and industry were enriched and advanced by the Manila Galleon. Epochal enough was the transfer of Western flora and fauna to the Philippines. Even more epochal was the transfer of Western technology, with the galleons serving, literally, as vessels and media. It was on the Manila galleon that the Philippines began to become the Philippines.”

The event, attended by 50 guests, was followed by a reception, which included Filipino dishes, calamansi juice, and mango desserts provided by the Philippine Agricultural Office in Brussels. 

PHILIPPINES KICKS OFF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF PH-EU RELATIONS

Brussels, 13 December 2023 - The Philippine Embassy in Brussels kicked off the year-long commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Bilateral Relations between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) with a parol lighting ceremony at the Embassy Chancery. 

Philippine Ambassador to the EU Jaime Victor B. Ledda and Head of Division for Asia Pacific of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Ms. Leila Fernandez-Stembridge jointly lit parols to mark the commemoration of 60 years of partnership and to light the way for years of partnership to come.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ledda recalled the six (6) decades of deepening relations and interactions and highlighted the recent visits of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Manila in December 2022 and July 2023, respectively. “These visits gave us opportunities to affirm, at the highest levels, our commitment to taking this partnership further,” he said.

Ms. Fernandez-Stembridge echoed Ambassador Ledda saying that the PH-EU partnership “has laid the foundation for a prosperous and harmonious collaboration”. She expressed hope that 2024 may be a “time of reflection but also a call for action” to build “an even stronger and more resilient partnership”.

The parol lighting ceremony was attended by guests from the EU institutions, EU member states, and ASEAN embassies. The parols were donated to the Embassy by San Fernando City Mayor Vilma B. Caluag and the Tourism Office of San Fernando, Pampanga. The event was organized with the support of the Office of Senator Loren B. Legarda.

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Embassy holds activities for End VAW Campaign

The Philippine Embassy in Brussels held and participated in activities with the Filipino community to celebrate the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.

On 18 November 2023, the Embassy and the Migrant Workers’ Office (MWO) in Berlin, in cooperation with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Luxembourg and members of Women Helping Women (WHW) – Luxembourg, conducted a Forum for Nannies and Au Pairs at the EY Auditorium in Kirchberg, Luxembourg. Vice Consul Ma. Filonila Alcaraz-Arguelles and MWO–Berlin Officer-in-Charge Delia Palomar provided information on the the rights and responsibilities of au pairs and nannies in Luxembourg, as well as the Philippine and Luxembourgish government processes they need to comply with to be able to work legally. They also gave advice on what to do in case the nannies and au pairs become victims of violence. In turn, the participants shared with one another their experiences, particularly as former au pairs who eventually became nannies or long-term residents. The forum also served as a venue for au pairs and nannies to get to know members of the WHW – Luxembourg.

On 02 December 2023, the Embassy and members of WHW – Belgium held Move Your Body: Movement Interpretation and Arnis for Beginners at the Salle de Kring in Merksem, Antwerp. The participants actively joined arnis and movement interpretation activities taught by two members of WHW – Belgium, Ms. Suzette Villanueva and Ms. Mylene Factora. Honorary Consul General for Flanders Ronny de Blaere was also present to give advice on what victims of domestic violence should do and how to help them.

Read more: Embassy holds activities for End VAW Campaign