PHL Ambassador to Chile H.E. Celeste Vinzon-Balabat, Guest-of-Honor H.E. Manahi Pakarati Novoa, ASEAN HOPs, and other Chilean and foreign delegates during the festivities of Kalayaan 2023 at Club 50, Las Condes
(Santiago, 12 June 2023) – The Philippine Embassy in Chile celebrated the 125th Celebration of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with Chilean officials, the diplomatic corps, and other foreign guests, at a diplomatic reception and cultural/tourism showcase held at Club 50, Las Condes, on 12 June 2023 (CHL time).
In line with this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2023: Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan”, PHL Ambassador to Chile H.E. Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat (delivering her speech in Spanish) recalled how Filipino forebears bravely declared their intention to chart their own future exactly 125 years ago, thus laying the groundwork for the founding of the First Republic in Asia. She emphasized how this theme aptly captures the Filipino value of respect for the elders, including recognition of their wise counsel in the nation’s efforts to move forward: Those who fail to recognize the past cannot hope to reach their destination. (“Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.”)
Alongside Chilean Guest-of-Honor H.E. Manahi Pakarati Novoa, Director General of Ceremonials and Protocol, and other foreign VIPs, Ambassador Balatbat acknowledged with great pride the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Chile, including the common Hispanic heritage and shared democratic values that serve as bridge to the vast physical distance between the two countries.
She also outlined forthcoming opportunities to further build on these relations, such as: (1) the PHL’s upcoming hosting of the PHL-Chile political consultations in Manila; (2) continuing partnerships between the private sector, educational institutions, and nongovernmental organizations; and (3) the approximately 1,000 Filipino community members in Chile, who all serve as instruments of understanding and friendship with Chileans.
Ambassador Balatbat reiterated her appreciation to the Chilean government for the speed and consistency with which the Navy, firefighters, Carabineros (CHL national police), and other authorities conducted search, rescue, and recovery operations for a Filipino national swept into the sea in Zapallar.
Ambassador Pakarati reciprocated Ambassador Balatbat’s toast remarks by equally recalling the now 76 years of bilateral relations and lasting friendship between the Philippines and Chile. She made mention of no less than nine bilateral agreements signed between the two countries, as well as several reciprocal support agreements which have collectively contributed and buttressed these enduring relations.
More specifically, she also looked forward with optimism on upcoming projects in: (1) disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM); (2) the holding the 1st Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Manila later this year; (3) partnerships guided by the shared ideals of free trade and open tourism; and (4) continuing cooperation and shared visions between the Philippines and Chile within the ambit of APEC.
Ambassador Balatbat and Ambassador Pakarati jointly led the commemorative cutting of the Kalayaan 2023-themed national day cake, followed by the official photo-taking opportunity with the Papal Nuncio, DIRAPAC’s (Directorate for Asia and Pacific) Director Amb. Patricio Powell, and the Ambassadors of the ASEAN Committee in Santiago or ACS (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam, and the PHL).
As part of the program, the JIL-Chile Dance Group performed Sayaw sa Banko, a physically demanding Filipino folkdance showing some deft footwork on narrow wooden benches. The PHL Embassy also showed videos of the country’s top destinations and world-famous touristic sites.
The half-day national day celebration also featured a PHL Cultural Booth showcasing Filipino handmaid wooden decors, pearls and seashell ornaments, capiz products, and packaged food samples from the Embassy’s Fiestas Filipinas kits. The country’s best imagery and identity icons: the Banawe Rice Terraces, the Philippine Eagle, Boracay, Palawan, among others, were likewise prominently displayed in 6-foot standees specifically printed for the event.
Filipino Kali and Arnis instructors from PTK-SMH Santiago displayed and demonstrated the use of Filipino sticks, swords, daggers, and other traditional arsenals in a secondary booth, where eager guests took turns posing with these rare weapons.
The PHL Embassy served generous servings of Filipino adobo, classic pancit, and lumpiang shanghai, alongside traditional Chilean and international hors d’oeuvres, hot and cold cocktails, and a rich assortment of beverages.
The 12 June diplomatic reception is the second of two main national day events organized by the PHL Embassy this year. The Embassy’s FilCom Celebration of the 125th Proclamation of PHL Independence was held at the Chancery in Las Condes on 10 June 2023, with some 300 members of the Filipino community in Chile in attendance. END
PHL Embassy team with the JIL-Chile Dancers
Official toast between Ambassador Balatbat and GOH Amb. Manahi Pakarati
Ambassador Balatbat delivers her official remarks
GOH Amb. Pakarati reciprocates PHL Amb. Balatbat’s speech and toast remarks
Amb. Balatbat poses with the PTK-SMF Santiago Group at their Filipino weapons booth
The Kalayaan 2023-themed national day cake, and the Filipino products and artisanal items featured on the PHL Cultural Booth
