European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro led the Europe Day celebrations held on May 8 which marked the 75th anniversary of the “Schuman Declaration,” the document that set in motion the European integration process. This declaration led to the establishment of the European Communities, now the European Union — a union of 27 European countries founded on the values of respect for human rights and dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.
Europe Day celebrated in Manila
Published May 12, 2025 08:56 am
European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro delivers his welcome remarks
Ambassador Santoro was joined by Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Theresa Lazaro and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Apostolic Nuncio Charles Brown, in the ceremonial toast. Ambassador Santoro, who spoke in Filipino and in English, said, “Kahit na nahaharap sa pinakamatinding pagsubok, naninindigan kami para sa pagkakaisa sa pagkakaiba-iba – nakikipagtulungan kami sa aming mga katuwang upang isulong ang malayang talakayan, nagkakaisang katatagan at pag-unlad at pandaigdigang pagpapahalaga.” (Even when faced with the greatest challenges, we stand for unity in diversity — working with our partners to promote open dialogue, shared stability and prosperity, as well as universal values.)
Celebratory toast between Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Theresa Lazaro, EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Apostolic Nuncio Charles John Brown
Ambassador Massimo Santoro with DFA Acting Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Apostolic Nuncio Charles John Brown together with the EU Member States Ambassadors and Consuls: Charges de’ Affaires of France Embassy, Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis of the Embassy of Greece, Ambassador Yuliia Fediv of the Embassy of Ukraine, Ambassador Saija Nurminen of the Embassy of Finland, Ambassador Anna Ferry of the Embassy of Sweden, Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado of the Embassy of Spain, Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin of the Embassy of Denmark, Ambassador Dr. Titanilla Tóth of the Embassy Hungary, Ambassador Räduta-Dana Matache of the embassy of Romania, Ambassador Michel Monique M. Parys of the Embassy of Belgium, Ambassador Maria Alfonsa Magdalena Geraedts of the Embassy of Netherlands, Ambassador Dr. Smiljana Knez of the Embassy of Slovenia, Czech Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Mička, Poland Chargé d'Affaires Adam Dyszlewski and Ireland Deputy Head of Mission Embassy Erika Duffy
Ambassador Santoro also reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment and engagement in supporting long-term peace and development in the Philippines. “Mindanao is a priority region for our assistance and will continue doing so,” he said.
He said that in the Philippines, the EU has found an excellent, like-minded and close international partner. “With the Philippines, we defend and promote a rules-based international order, not the law of the strongest, be it in Europe or in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea or anywhere else in the world.” “Together with the Philippines, we also push to strengthen the role of global institutions,” he added.
He added, “Tulad ng European Union, ang Pilipinas ay isang matibay na taga-pagtanggol ng pandaigdigang tuntunin ng batas at ng mga kahalagahang nagpapatibay sa pandaigdigang kaayusan: paggalang sa pagkakapantay-pantay ng kapangyarihan, integridad ng teritoryo at kalayaan ng lahat ng Estado, ang paggalang sa mga karapatang pangtao at dignidad ng tao, at ang mapayapang pag-aayos ng mga alitan.” (Like the European Union, the Philippines is a staunch defender of the international rule of law and of the values that underpin the international order: respect for the sovereign equality, territorial integrity and independence of all States, the respect for human rights and human dignity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.)
Meanwhile, DFA Acting Secretary Lazaro also noted the growing partnership between the EU and the Philippines and cited how the Philippines and the European Union both advocate for the promotion of the international rule of law.
At the illumination of the Rizal Monument and the Musical Dancing Fountain in Rizal Park, Manila, (from left, front row): Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka, Finland Deputy Head of Mission Veera Kaarela, EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro, DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, NPDC Deputy Executive Director Jezreel Apelar, Presidential Task Force on Violence Against Media Workers Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., and Slovenia Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski. (From left, second row): Polish Chargé d’Affaires Adam Dyszlewski, German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse, Hungary Consul Zsolt Horváth, and Romania Consul and Trade Officer Gerald Nuñez.
Mabalacat City College, through its Internationalization Office, lit up its building in the EU flag colors of blue and yellow
On May 4, the Rizal Monument and the Musical Dancing Fountain in Rizal Park, Manila, were illuminated in the EU flag’s blue and yellow colors, with thanks to the Department of Tourism’s National Parks and Development Committee. “We are honored to light with European colors of blue and yellow, the monument dedicated to the Philippines national hero Jose Rizal,” said Ambassador Santoro.
He expressed his gratitude to the National Parks and Development Committee for the kind gesture of illuminating two historic landmarks within Rizal Park in celebration of Europe Day. Joining him were Acting Head of Office of the European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, Department of Foreign Affairs; National Parks and Development Committee Deputy Director Jezreel Apelar; Undersecretary Joe Torres; as well as the ambassadors and other diplomats and officials of the EU member states’ embassies.
Rizal Park is very well connected to Europe. Inaugurated in June 2011 in time for Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary, the Noli Me Tangere Garden features the Wilhelmsfeld drinking fountain, where Rizal used to drink from during his stay in 1886 in Germany. The red sandstone fountain was donated to the Philippine government on Dec. 30, 1964, as a symbol of German-Filipino friendship. The bust of Ferdinand Blumentritt — Rizal’s friend who campaigned for Philippine independence — can also be found in the garden.
Mabalacat City College, through its Internationalization Office, joined in the celebrations of Europe Day as it lit up its building in the EU flag colors of blue and yellow on May 9, 2025. The college said that it lights up its campus in Pampanga as part of its annual tradition to reflect its commitment to global citizenship and its vision toward becoming a truly internationalized institution.