To celebrate its diamond jubilee anniversary on August 9, the Singapore Embassy in Manila hosted a reception at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City on August 6.

More than 1,000 guests from the government, business, diplomatic corps, NGOs, civil society, academia, and the media gathered to mark the occasion, demonstrating the strength of the bilateral ties. The ballroom was transformed into an elegant garden showcasing both nations' national flowers – Singapore's Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid alongside the Philippines' Sampaguita.

In her remarks, Singapore Ambassador Constance See underscored the enduring and forward-looking nature of the Singapore-Philippine relationship. The two nations marked 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2024. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Manila in June 2025 and met President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet.

“The Singapore story has always been about forging partnerships, staying connected to the world, and making common cause. That is why tonight, as we celebrate National Day, we also honor and affirm our partnership with the Philippines, one of our most trusted and steadfast friends.”

Ambassador See highlighted that Singapore is consistently one of the top foreign investors in the Philippines. Singapore’s investments in the Philippines have grown by nearly 40 percent over the past five years, reflecting strong confidence in the Philippines’ economic potential.

Ambassador See noted that cooperation is increasingly expanding into emerging areas such as renewable energy, carbon markets, and sustainability, with both sides committed to climate goals, energy resilience, and the green economy. Together, Singapore and the Philippines are also working to conserve critically endangered animal species like the Philippine eagle and Negros bleeding-heart pigeon. In January 2025, Ambassador See was in Bacolod, where the Singapore nature conservation group Mandai Nature and the Talarak Foundation successfully released several pigeons back into their natural habitats in Negros and Panay islands.

Ambassador See also expressed Singapore’s support for the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, stressing the shared commitment to international law and a rules-based order as essential foundations for peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

Reflecting on her Manila post, Ambassador See described her tenure as deeply meaningful. “It has been a profound honour to serve as Singapore’s Ambassador to the Philippines, as a partner with whom we have built steady, enduring and forward-looking ties.”

Elaborating on the synergistic relationship between the Philippines and Singapore, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega said that the Philippines is keen to partner with Singapore companies that are eager to invest in the renewable and green energy sectors. Likewise, Philippine companies have also been increasing their footprint in Singapore in the service and restaurant sectors.

“As the Philippines and Singapore continue to transform and innovate, so will our bilateral relationship. With many opportunities ahead of us, we face our shared future with much optimism and confidence. We thank Singapore for its unwavering confidence in the Philippine economy and steadfast support for our long-term development”.

The evening’s celebration also featured an exciting fashion showcase by students of Singapore's Temasek Polytechnic and Rizal Technological University who collaborated to create a collection. The designs reflected a blend of heritage and modernity, reinterpreting traditional elements with fresh perspectives and contemporary style.

The Quezon City Symphonic Band also serenaded the crowd with a Singaporean classic, "Home", a song that resonates deeply with many Singaporeans.

The diamond jubilee celebration reflected not just Singapore's journey over six decades, but also the deep and meaningful friendship between Singapore and the Philippines, promising continued collaboration in building a shared future.