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23rd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day celebrates shared history and culture
23rd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day celebrates shared history and culture
Under the theme “Lasting Friendship,” a series of events were held to celebrate the 23rd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, led by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Embassy of Spain, in partnership with the municipal government of Baler, Aurora, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the National Museum of the Philippines.
Special events and contests commemorated the more than three hundred years of shared history and culture between the Filipino and Spanish nations from July 2 to 8. Under the direction of the NHCP and DepEd, programs were held for students in Aurora province, including the #TapatsaWatawat activities.
NHCP Executive Director Carminda Arevalo headed the wreath-laying activity at the Dikolyungan historical marker to honor the founding of the Baler chapter of the Katipunan on July 7. This was followed by the “Aritamtam ng Digma” cultural night, showcasing the Filipino-Spanish culture through song and dance numbers by Ascot Sindayaw Performing Arts Guild, Tanghalang Galaw ng CLSU, CLSU Maestro Singers, and Komedya de Baler at the Baler Plaza.
On July 8, the celebration culminated in a wreath-laying ceremony by special guest NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr., and Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado in celebration of the Friendship Day anniversary and in commemoration of the 127th anniversary of the Siege of Baler, Aurora. Also present at the San Luis Obispo Parish Church were local government officials Baler Mayor Rhett Ronan Angara and Representative Rommel Rico T. Angara, represented by Board Member Patrick Angara, and BGen Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV PA, Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In his speech, Jose said, “From both a Filipino and Spanish perspective, the Baler encounter stands as an extraordinary moment in our shared history. Even amid the war against a new imperial power, Filipinos chose not to respond to their former enemies in hatred but to act with dignity as freedom-loving people. Meanwhile, the Spanish garrison, having demonstrated their valor, chose to surrender, placing their faith in the hands of their former adversary, trusting their word of honor. On that historic day, the two sides came together, not as oppressors and oppressed, but as equals, and ultimately, as friends. Today, we celebrate this history, which honors respect and humanity, triumph over bitterness. We honor the shared heritage reflected in our language, our faith, our literature, our art, and our memory, and we look for a future of mutual respect, collaboration, and enduring friendship.”
The day’s events concluded with a preview and special exhibition of the National Museum of the Philippines—Baler. National Museum Director-General Jeremy R. Barns welcomed the guests at the newly opened institution, underscoring the significance of shared history and culture in the enduring friendship between the two nations during the program.
The Siege of Baler depicts how Spanish soldiers held out in the church in Baler, 15 days after the proclamation of Philippine independence. Despite repeated efforts to inform them that the war had already ended, the soldiers barricaded themselves for 11 long months. The soldiers finally came out and traveled back to Spain only after President Emilio Aguinaldo issued a presidential decree commending their heroism and granting them safe passage as friends.