BETTER DAYS
This year we mark the 21st Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day (Phil-Span). By virtue of Republic Act 9187, we commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain on June 30 of each year. This was one of the legacies of my father, former Senator Ed Angara, who saw the importance of looking at one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history in a positive light. It marked a new chapter in the history of both countries as it celebrates life rather than death and friendship rather than enmity.
Coinciding with the annual Phil-Span celebration is the commemoration of the historic Siege of Baler, which is now on its 125th year. On this occasion we remember how 33 Spanish soldiers holed up in Baler Church for 11 months, even after the Philippines won its independence, eventually emerged after President Emilio Aguinaldo passed a presidential decree commending their heroism, promising them safe passage and declaring them as friends of the State. We must never forget all the battles and sacrifices of our countrymen in the past. But at the same time, we also choose to remember what is good about this relationship we have with Spain and move forward in a positive direction.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who was our guest of honor for this year’s celebration in Baler, took note of how the colonial relationship between the Philippines and Spain has now been replaced by a friendship that is founded on mutual harmony and respect. It is a friendship that endures and was very much evident during the height of the pandemic when Spain fostered Philippine access to Covid vaccines through the Covax initiative.
Javier Salido Ortiz, the director general for North America, Eastern Europe and Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, described the relationship between the two countries as one that is bound together by deeply rooted cultural and historical connections. DG Ortiz believes there is room for growth in the bilateral relations between our two countries. In fact, he disclosed that the economic ministries of both sides are now negotiating economic and financial agreements that will establish a framework that will enhance investments and trade between the Philippines and Spain.
The 2023 Phil-Span and Siege of Baler rites was made even more significant with the inauguration of the Senator Edgardo J. Angara Convention Center and the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Philippine-Spanish National Museum. The convention center, the biggest infrastructure project of Baler in the last two decades, will provide a venue for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions and pave the way for the arrival of more visitors to Baler and the province of Aurora as a whole.
With the Philippine-Spanish National Museum, officially known as the National Museum of Baler, it will serve as a receptacle of everything that has to do with Philippine-Spanish friendship, history and relations. Designed by renowned architect Ed Calma, the museum will be able to preserve and showcase the culture, history and traditions of the two nations and teach our future generations about the importance of this relationship. We thank our good Sec. Mina for providing support for the construction of the museum under the 2024 National Expenditure Program. It is a blessing for Baler and the province of Aurora that before joining the executive branch, Sec. Mina was a staff of my father and rose up the ranks to become his chief-of-staff. This is why she has a deep knowledge and appreciation of Phil-Span and has a special place in her heart for Baler. With the construction of the museum, Sec. Mina said she hopes this will aid in furthering awareness and promoting our rich culture and history. It is true what she said that it is by looking back and learning from the stories of the past that we dignify the essence of being a Filipino.
It was the dream of my father for Baler and the entire province of Aurora to thrive and flourish and the construction of these two key structures is a realization of this aspiration. We thank Chairman Andoni Aboitiz and Director Jeremy Barnes of the National Museum for their support to this project and to our Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado and Chargé ‘d Affaires Richard Lobo of the Venezuelan Embassy in Manila for gracing the event in Baler. We will continue to push forward this enduring friendship — Amistad Duradera. ([email protected]| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara)
Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 18 years — nine years as Representative of the lone district of Aurora, and nine as Senator. He has authored, co-authored, and sponsored more than 330 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.