(SANTIAGO, 19 August 2021) The Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile, joined by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic and consular corps, Chilean government partners and friends of the Embassy) held the grand celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Chile Diplomatic Relations at the Hyatt Centric Hotel Las Condes on 19 August 2021.
The video message of Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. recalled the parallel lessons and spectrum of political history between the Philippines and Chile, which led to similarities in their journeys toward democracy and the security and economic development both countries now enjoy. The Secretary also highlighted recent milestones in the relationship such as the signing of the MOU on the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and the first-ever BFAR-SERNAPESCA (Chilean aquaculture authority) virtual dialogue this year. He underscored the common Hispanic heritage between the two countries starting from the flagship Trinidad’s crossing of the southern tip of Chile in 1520 and its landing in Homonhon Island in 1521—forging a lasting link and many commonalities between Filipinos and Chileans. The Secretary’s speech was reciprocated by Chilean Foreign Minister Andres Allamand who outlined the Philippines’ and Chile’s strong commercial ties, robust political dialogue and close cooperation in the areas of trade, disaster risk reduction, mining, culture, tourism, agriculture and aquaculture. He mentioned the Philippines’ investment confidence in Chile as exemplified by the local projects of Philippines-based company Energy Development Corporation or EDC.
Philippine Ambassador to Chile Ma. Teresita C. Daza spoke on the importance of safely celebrating the landmark year in spite of the pandemic, the evolving people-to-people engagement between Philippines and Chile, as well as the crucial opportunity the celebration presented to reflect on what has been accomplished throughout the years and what remains to be done in terms of relations. She summarized the projects, events and deliverables so far completed by the Embassy in 2021 and invited everyone to enjoy a poem recited by 5-year-old Alonzo Bobillo entitled “Chilipino”, a video of Filipinos in Chile as well as to partake of Filipino classics including adobo, pancit, lumpiang shanghai, beef kaldereta, chicken barbeque, empanada and cassava cake prepared by the Hyatt Centric Team with the guidance of the Embassy. Guest-of-honor Gloria Navarette emotionally reciprocated Ambassador Daza’s toast by emphasizing the uniqueness and warmth of Filipinos, the people-to-people element of the bilateral relations, and the evident affinity between Filipinos and Chileans.
To conclude the program, the Philippine Embassy entertained guests by playing the cultural festival video jointly prepared by the Philippines’ NCCA-Bayanihan and the Ministry of Culture-Ballet Folklorico Nacional (BAFONA) of Chile. The video opened with the Filipino song Ay Ay Ay Pag-Ibig sung by BAFONA and Chilean folksong El Gorro de Lana sung by the Bayanihan. The video also featured renditions of traditional Filipino and Chilean dances such as Jota Caviteña, Singkil, Banga, Asik, Mate Amargo and others.
The afternoon event showcased a full Filipiniana theme featuring an exhibit of Filipino garments loaned to the Embassy by NCCA, artisanal products as well as a Fiestas Filipinas booth with cultural kits and top Filipino food exports and delicacies. The Philippine Embassy also decorated the walkway starting from the hotel staircase leading up to and surrounding the stage with available tropical flowers, including birds of paradise, roses, plants and other floral accents, while the stage itself was fully lit with a wall-size LED screen and backdrop for the video messages, cultural extravaganza and commercial and tourism presentations prerecorded by the Embassy and its partners. It also featured a tourism video of Siargao and other top destinations, a short video of Santiago PE’s activities and projects, and promotional videos by EDC and their Mariposa geothermal project in Chile.
Guests were provided a glimpse of landmark events throughout the 75 years of diplomatic relations on a photo-wall featuring presidential and ministerial-level visits, senior officials’ meetings, bilateral consultation mechanisms/political consultations, APEC hosting and delegation visits, signing of key agreements, and other historical exchanges between the two countries. Four complementary photo standees displayed other Embassy projects, events with the FilCom and Escuela Republica Filipinas, and the Philippine Embassy’s activities alongside the ASEAN Committee in Santiago (ACS).
The Embassy also provided souvenirs for its 60 guests (maximum allowed under existing indoor COVID-19 protocols) in the form of his and her dolls dressed in traditional Filipino attire, complemented by dried mangos, face masks and tourism brochures.
The Philippine Embassy in Chile’s 75th anniversary celebration was the first physical formal indoor event attended by MFA officials and members of the diplomatic and consular corps in the past 1.5 years amidst a continuing COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Also present during the event were SUBREI’s Vice Minister Rodrigo Yañez, Director General of MFA’s Cultural Office Ambassador Veronica Chahin, Director General for Asia and the Pacific (DIRAPAC) Ambassador Carlos Olguin, and other MFA officials and friends of the Embassy some coming from as far as Valparaiso and Puerto Montt. Most importantly, the event served as key opportunity to take stock of the relations between the two countries and to provide impetus for the completion of other targeted deliverables within the 75th anniversary year. END
