PHILIPPINES AND ARGENTINA CELEBRATE HISTORIC 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
The Philippines and Argentina celebrated the milestone 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations through a diplomatic reception on 22 October 2018, at the Manuel Belgrano Auditorium of the Argentine MFA.
The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires, together with the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, worked hand in hand to mark the well-attended occasion. The Philippines opened its first diplomatic mission to Latin America in Buenos Aires on 26 August 1948, joining a then handful of Asian countries. Among the ASEAN countries, the Philippines was also the first to recognize the importance of Argentina in the region.
Philippine Ambassador Linglingay F. Lacanlale and Argentine Vice Foreign Minsiter Daniel Raimondi each gave remarks highlighting the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Argentina. In her speech, Ambassador Lacanlale pointed to the historical exchanges between the Philippines and Argentina that occurred in Spanish colonial days, and highlighted economic milestones in the relations, including the presence of International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICSTI), representing a USD 400 million investment in Argentina, and the presence of Farmesa in the Philippines, an Argentine company which has set up a processing plant in Malvar, Batangas for the export of carrageenan.
Vice Minister Raimondi, meanwhile, gave a comprehensive review of the many breakthroughs achieved throughout the seven decades of diplomatic relations, including cooperation in agriculture, diplomatic academies, sports, and culture.
A performance by Buenos Aires-based Filipina singer Maria Katrina Teves of the Filipino song “Isang Lahi”, followed by the Spanish song “Si Tu No Estas Aqui”, moved audience members. She was joined by Argentine folklore singer Carolina Peleritti, who interpreted songs from Argentina’s rich rural culture.
Filipino food from different parts of the country, including Mindanao, and the well-received calamansi liquer and mango rhum were served to guests composed of diplomats, the private sector, and the academe by Chef Christina Sunae, the authority on Southeast Asian and Filipino food in Buenos Aires.
