MANILA – The European Union (EU) and the Philippines are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year through a multi-media exhibition with the title “Shared Journey: 60 years of EU-Philippines Diplomatic Relations”, now ongoing until 14 June 2024 at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
According to the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, “the exhibition documents the sixty years of EU–Philippines relations since the presentation of credentials by the first Philippine Ambassador to the European Commission H.E. Vicente I. Singian, in 1964.”
The EU Delegation to the Philippines was officially opened on 15 May 1991.
The EU furthers that the exhibition uses images, sounds and objects to chronicle the friendship and cooperation between the EU and the Philippines over the last six decades.
Led by H.E. Luc Veron, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, he opened the exhibit with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, with Yuchengco Museum Executive Director and Curator Jeannie Javelosa.
Photo courtesy of EU Delegation to the PH
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Amb. Veron underscored the “longstanding partnership of the European Union with the Philippines” and the “shared commitment to a rules-based international order.”
The Ambassador also mentioned EU and the Philippines’ close collaboration on “circular economy, sustainable energy and enhanced connectivity” to build a greener and more interconnected future.
The exhibition is one of a series of events organized by the EU Delegation to the Philippines in relation to the celebration of “six decades of partnership and friendship” with the Philippines.
Recently, the EU Delegation to the Philippines also held a choral festival entitled “Sounds of Celebration: Sixty Years of EU-PH Relations”, in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
EU Ambassador to the PH Luc Veron leads the opening of the multi-media exhibit “Shared Journey: 60 years of EU-Philippines Diplomatic Relations”, now ongoing until 14 June 2024 at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. (Photo courtesy of EU Delegation to the PH)
Europe Day Reception 2024
Earlier, Europe Day, commemorated on 09 May 2024, was celebrated by a reception led by Amb. Veron and DFA Undersecretary Antonio Morales, and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Most Reverend Charles Brown, leading the toast.
The event marks the founding of the European Union and is celebrated by EU Delegations across the globe.
Award-winning choir in the choral festival “Sounds of Celebration: Sixty Years of EU-PH Relations”, “Los Cantantes de Manila”, conducted by Darwin Vargas, rendered the anthem of the Philippines and the EU Hymm.
According to the EU, the choir was the Grand Prix Winner of the 2015 Busan Choral Festival and Competition, First Prize 2017 and 2023 editions of Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition in Germany.
The choir is set to represent the Philippines in competitions in Italy, Spain and Hungary in July, EU added.
EU also mentioned that Iconic buildings and monuments such as the Rizal Monument and Dancing Fountain in Rizal Park, the National Museum of the Philippines, the De La Salle University and Heroes Square hosting the Honorary Consulate of Georgia, in Manila, the Mabalacat City College, and the University of the Philippines in Miagao, were illuminated in the EU flag blue and yellow colors to mark this occasion.
