GOVPH

Message from the Secretary

HONORABLE ENRIQUE A . MANALO
SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ON THE OCCASION OF KALAYAAN 2025

“KALAYAAN. KINABUKASAN. KASAYSAYAN.”

12 June 2025

On behalf of the women and men of the Department of Foreign Affairs, I join all Filipinos around the world in commemorating the 127 years of Philippine Independence.

The theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” reminds us to honor our heritage while looking to the future. Our great forebears have fought with their lives in the hopes that our nation would thrive and prosper on its own, free from the oppression of foreign powers, and free to chart its own destiny.

While we are now enjoying the fruits of this hard-fought freedom, we still aim to reach our full potential as a nation. We seek to achieve a Bagong Pilipinas where everyone has fair representation, has equitable access to opportunities for progress, and has the chance to actively participate in nation-building.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has remained unwavering in its commitment to implement an independent foreign policy that promotes and protects Philippine interests.

The same courage and resilience that fueled the Katipunan, is the same one that moves our foreign service. The same grit carved in the DNA of every Filipino who shed her or his blood for our independence is the same one that drives our diplomats to protect our sovereignty. The same consciousness that made Rizal pen literary masterpieces that ignited the Philippine’s quest for independence is the same one that inspires the women and men of the Department of Foreign Affairs to help propel our nation to new heights.

As we look back on our struggles in solidifying our nationhood, let us not also forget our unique place in history as the earliest modern democracy in Asia where democracy, universal human rights, freedom, sovereignty, and self-determination are valued.

As we look to the future, let us take pride in our contributions to the world in upholding international law and a rules-based order as our nation carves its own path to greatness.

To all Filipinos around the world, Maligayang araw ng Kasarinlan! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Consulate General marks children’s day with Consular Society Shanghai

SHANGHAI – Female diplomats of the Philippine Consulate General and their children joined colleagues in the Consular Society Shanghai (CSS) at a fun and socially meaningful commemoration of “Children’s Day”.

Observed every June 1 in China and several other countries, “Children’s Day” is marked to highlight the importance of the well-rounded development of children as inheritors and future drivers and pillars of societies. The CSS Children’s Day event was held at Life Hub in Shanghai’s popular Hongkou District. The program included a Charity Puppet Show, the creation and exchange of greeting cards, and a Charity Auction that included works by special needs children.

The Philippine Consulate General was represented by CSS members Attaché Jeannie F. Petrola and Attaché Gigi Marie U. Llanera, together with their respective children.

Attaché Petrola participated in the charity auction, acquiring the highly imaginative painting “Pearl-Scaled Dragon” by 16-year-old Zhang Rujian.

Founded in the 1990s as the ‘Consular Spouses of Shanghai’, the organization changed its name in 2024 to reflect its broader membership of all active diplomats, consular officials, and family members in Shanghai’s large consular corps.

A non-profit and apolitical organization, the CSS provides a supportive and engaging community for diplomats assigned in Shanghai and their spouses. It organizes cultural tours, museum visits, charity event and other activities.

Female diplomats of the Philippine Consulate General have been active in the CSS since 2021, in advancement of the Mission’s networking and public and cultural diplomacy goals. END

Shanghai badminton tourney forges friendship between Filipinos and Chinese aficionados

SHANGHAI – Filipino-Chinese friendship was the champion at the recently concluded Badminton Friendship Games, a special event commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of Philippines – China Bilateral Relations organized by the Filipinos in Shanghai Badminton Association (FILSBA) held at the Nayufeng Badminton Court, Wuzhong Road, Shanghai on 31 May 2025.

Drawing players from the Filipino and expat communities as well as local Chinese aficionados of the sport in the Chinese financial capital, the Tournament marked the third iteration of the games since their revival in 2023.

Opening the tournament was Consul John Francis S. Herrera, the Acting Head of the Consulate General. He commended FILSBA and its Chair, Mr. Nicol Francisquete, for their unremitting efforts to advocate of badminton and of the health and community-building benefits of sports among Shanghai’s large population of Filipinos.

He also lauded the games for highlighting friendship between Filipinos and Chinese, against the backdrop of the ongoing commemoration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.

Players competed in three groups, featuring both men’s doubles and mixed doubles matches.

At the games’ conclusion, Consul Herrera and Filipino community leader Michelle Teope-Shen handed out the medals and awards. Among the victors were the Consulate General’s Cultural Officer and Attaché, Ms. Jeannie F. Petrola. END