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Saturday, January 29, 2005
Iloilo City to host RP-Spain Friendship Day
ILOILO City will host this year's celebration of the Philippine-Spanish
Friendship Day on June 30, a report from the office Senate President Franklin Drilon said.
The Ilonggo senator said Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz will visit Iloilo City to participate in a series of cultural activities organized by the Instituto Cervantes Manila in coordination with the University of San Agustin and the Western Visayas Tourism Regional Office.
Iloilo was selected the main venue for the celebration as the city was the last Spanish capital in the Philippines and Asia in 1898.
Drilon said the friendly relationship between Spain and the Philippines has developed into a more lasting concern for the general welfare of both countries, citing Madrid's role in championing Manila's interests in the European Union.
"Iloilo, which became the last Spanish capital not only in the Philippines but also in Asia, is proud to host this year's Philippine-Spanish day activities," he said.
Congress enacted the bill declaring the Friendship Day in line with the policy of strengthening "the relationship between the Philippines and countries with which it has shared history, values and traditions."
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the first annual Philippines-Spanish Friendship Day on June 30, 2003 to mark warmer relations with the former colonial power.
June 30, the day chosen for this commemoration, marks the day in 1899 when President Emilio Aguinaldo commended Spanish soldiers besieged in the church of Baler in Quezon Province for their loyalty and gallantry.
Aguinaldo then issued a decree declaring that the Spanish prisoners should be treated as friends and provided passes to return to Spain.
During the entire month of June, fitting commemorative activities will be held throughout the country related to the Philippine-Spanish friendship theme, particularly on important days celebrating Philippine Independence, the birthday of Jose Rizal, the grant of a royal title to the City of Manila, and the foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Navy.
(January 29, 2005 issue)
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