^{Members of the University of the Philippines Rondalla perform at the PH Embassy’s celebration of the Philippine Independence in Peru and Chile} 

(Lima, 3 June 2024 and Santiago, 5 June 2024) – To celebrate the 126th year of the anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Chile organized back-to-back concerts by the University of the Philippines (UP) Rondalla at Centro Cultural Inca Garcilaso in Lima, Peru and at Museo Histórico y Militar de Chile in Santiago, Chile. 

The celebration in Peru also commemorated another milestone event: the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Peru. 

^{Ambassador Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat greets Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Javier González-Olaechea}

^{Ambassador Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat greets Director-General Christian Hodges-Nugent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile}

The back-to-back concerts were attended by the diplomatic corps, members of the Filipino Community, and the general public. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru Javier González-Olaechea and Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs John Peter Camino Cannock attended the Peruvian leg of the concert. In Chile, Christian Hodges-Nugent, Director-General of Ceremonials and Protocol and Marta Bonet Guericabeitia, Director General of Consular Affairs, Immigration and Chileans Abroad were among the key officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the event. 

^{Ambassador Vinzon-Balatbat delivers her welcome remarks (delivered in Spanish) in Peru and Chile} 

Philippine Ambassador to Peru and Chile, Ambassador Celeste-Vinzon Balatbat, underscored the deep historic and cultural ties that bind the Philippines with Peru and Chile despite the physical distance between the two countries.

“While the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean separate us, these waters also unite us. Our two economies have a long maritime tradition and we have a collective stake in the sustainability of this Ocean. We value democracy, human rights, and respect for rule of law. Our colonial history, our struggle for independence, and our Hispanic heritage are shared experiences that bring us closer to each other.” 

^{Vice-Minister John Peter Camino Cannock of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivers his key remarks}

In Peru, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advance relations, citing the upcoming first bilateral consultation mechanism between the Philippines and Peru in June and other avenues of cooperation such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation being chaired by Peru in 2024. 

Vice Minister Camino, in his key remarks, highlighted the strengthening of PH-PER relations in recent years such as the bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Dina Boluarte in November 2023, as well as the commitment of both countries to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation. 

^{Filipino violinist Ms. Reineza Santos-Mendoza performs the national anthem of the Philippines in Lima}

The UP Rondalla serenaded the audience with a captivating repertoire showcasing the beauty and diversity of Philippine music that featured a selection of Filipino folklore songs, Spanish music, and contemporary Filipino pieces. 

Established in 2009, the UP Rondalla is a musical ensemble known for its mastery of traditional Filipino string instruments. 

^{UP Rondalla pose for a photo with Ambassador Vinzon-Balatbat and Vice Minister Camino in Lima}

^{UP Rondalla pose for a photo with Ambassador Vinzon-Balatbat, Director-General Hodges-Nugent, and Museo Histórico y Militar de Chile Director General Antonio Yakcich Furche in Santiago} 

To introduce the music of the Philippine Rondalla to Latin America, the Philippine Embassy in Chile, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Rondalla, also organized brief workshops in selected educational institutions in Peru and Chile. Rondalla workshops were held at St. George’s College in Lima on 3 June 2024 and Universidad de Santiago de Chile in Santiago on 6 June 2024. 

^{UP Rondalla with music students of St. George’s College in Lima}

^{UP Rondalla gives a workshop on Rondalla music at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile in Santiago}

Student participants learned about the brief history of rondalla, the basics of rondalla performance, and the different stringed instruments that make up the rondalla, such as the bandurria, the octavina, the guitar, and the double bass. 

To raise the profile of Philippine music, Ambassador Vinzon-Balatbat and Dr. Jocelyn Marfil, Artistic Director of the UP Rondalla, were likewise interviewed by Mr. Juan José Otayza of Radio Filarmonia, a classical music radio station in Lima, Peru.

^{Ambassador Vinzon-Balatbat (2nd from left) and UP Rondalla Artistic Director Dr. Jocelyn U. Marfil (1st from right) pose with FilCom Leaders Mr. Bobby Conda and Ms. Agnes Katbeth Kreimer} 

The UP Rondalla concert in Lima forms part of the Embassy’s year-long activities to commemorate its milestone anniversary with Peru. These activities are in line with the Embassy’s continued efforts to raise awareness of the Philippines and to promote Filipino artists and their music in Latin America. - END 

Photos in Santiago courtesy of Museo Histórico y Militar de Chile 

Instagram/X: @phinchile

Facebook: PHinChile