European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro and some members of the EU delegation lead the lighting of the Rizal Monument and the Musical Dancing Fountain at Rizal Park in blue and yellow--the colors of the EU flag on Sunday, May 4, 2025 ahead of the Europe Day on May 9, 2025. (John Louie Abrina/MANILA BULLETIN)
Rizal Monument in Manila lit up for Europe Day
Published May 5, 2025 02:14 pm
The Rizal Park and Rizal Monument in Manila lit up in the colors blue and yellow of the European Union’s (EU) flag to mark the celebration of the upcoming Europe Day 2025.
A Facebook post by the EU’s Delegation in the Philippines on Sunday, May 4, showed European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro present during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and the Musical Dancing Fountain at Rizal Park.
“Rediscovering the national park is also rediscovering the history of the Philippines and the Filipino people and I am truly grateful to the National Parks and Development Committee for tonight’s occasion as we celebrate Europe Day a few days from now,” he said.
The envoy also shared about the status of the relationship between the EU and the Philippines, underscoring the cooperation in different areas that defined the ties.
"The EU and the Philippines work hand-in-hand in many different sectors, from trade and development, to political exchanges, humanitarian aid as well as security and defense. Our partnership is built on mutual respect and common values, and it is growing even stronger under an all-encompassing Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation that the EU and the Philippines concluded in 2018,” he also said.
In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), Santoro shared photos of the event, which was attended by EU and Philippine officials.
“Truly honored to see the (EU) flag blue and yellow colors lit up yesterday in celebration of the nearing #EuropeDay2025 at Rizal Park. Along with fellow (EU)-MS and (Philippine) officials, we celebrate a partnership that grows each year—built on shared values & mutual respect,” he wrote.
In the photos on X and Facebook, Santoro and the officials were photographed in front of Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument while it was bathed in blue lights, as well as in front of the dancing fountain at Rizal Park.
The celebration of Europe Day every May 9 marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration that laid the foundations for the EU.
In the Philippines, the commemoration highlighted the growing partnership between the regional bloc and Manila, as well as their shared values.
The event was attended by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) acting head of the Office of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) Deputy Executive Director Jezreel Gaius Apelar, Presidential Task Force on Media Security Undersecretary Joe Torres, and ambassadors, diplomats and representatives of the Embassies of Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Poland, Romania, Finland, and Sweden.