The Embassy of Singapore in Manila recently hosted a reception at the Fairmont Makati ballroom to celebrate Singapore’s 54th National Day.
More than 800 friends, including government officials and the diplomatic and consular corps in Manila, joined in celebrating not only the Singapore bicentennial, but also the 50th anniversary of Singapore-Philippines diplomatic relations.
Among the notable guests were Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña and Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
In his remarks, Singapore Ambassador Gerard Ho thanked the Filipino community for their friendship and warmth in welcoming him to Manila, as well as the community’s support for the work of the Singapore Embassy.
Ambassador Ho also announced the upcoming state visit by Singapore President Halimah Yacob, in commemoration of the golden jubilee of bilateral relations.
In his speech, Secretary Locsin recounted his first stay in Singapore, as well as his most recent visit to attend the reinauguration of the Alkaff Bridge.
The ballroom was filled with music and merriment, with wonderful performances by Stefanie Quintin, Harp Room, and the Embassy’s very own defense attaché, Col. De Silva Joe Ronesh. They sang beautiful renditions of the Philippine and Singapore national anthems, as well as Filipino and Singaporean songs.—CONTRIBUTED
