Independence Day in Jordan commemorates the day the country gained freedom from the British Mandate on May 25, 1946. This national holiday, known as “Eid al-Istiklaal,” is traditionally marked with autocades proudly flying the Jordanian flag throughout the capital city of Amman; round-table discussions, seminars and symposiums organized by various academic institutions; special religious services; and fireworks. Jordan is an Arab Kingdom at the crossroads of the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is bordered on the east and south by Saudi Arabia; on the northeast by Iraq; on the north by Syria; and on the west by Israel, and Palestine. The capital city of Amman is Jordan’s economic, political, and cultural center. The Republic of the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on March 1, 1976. Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Jordan have been strong and cordial. In May, 2017, Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. met with King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss Philippines-Jordan relations and areas of cooperation in military and security matters. Secretary Esperon led the Philippine delegation to the Aqaba Process Meeting on Southeast Asia which was held in Jordan’s port city of Aqaba. A significant number of Filipino workers in Jordan are mostly engaged in domestic services. The Philippines has an embassy in Amman, while Jordan has a consulate general office in Manila. We greet the people and government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan led by Their Majesties, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and Queen Rania, and Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki, on the occasion of its 72nd Independence Day Anniversary.