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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider Saudi Arabia celebrates 95th National Day with a message of unity and partnership

Saudi Arabia celebrates 95th National Day with a message of unity and partnership

Published Oct 6, 2025 03:13 pm
His Excellency Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, extends a warm welcome with his opening remarks.
His Excellency Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, extends a warm welcome with his opening remarks.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Manila commemorated the Kingdom’s 95th National Day with a solemn and celebratory gathering on September 23 at the Rizal Ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. The event highlighted Saudi Arabia’s enduring legacy, transformative progress, and deep-rooted ties with the Republic of the Philippines.
Hosted by His Excellency Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the occasion brought together dignitaries from the Philippine government, members of the diplomatic corps, Saudi nationals, and guests from the media and private sectors.
Mme. Roswitha Brieger with Ambassador Johann Brieger of Embassy of Austria and Victoria Javier Assad
Mme. Roswitha Brieger with Ambassador Johann Brieger of Embassy of Austria and Victoria Javier Assad
Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi leads the ceremonial cutting of the cake, joined by Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi of Morocco, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Archbishop Charles John Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines and guests.
Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi leads the ceremonial cutting of the cake, joined by Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi of Morocco, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Archbishop Charles John Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines and guests.
Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of the Embassy of Argentina, Ambassador Nicolas Brühl of the Embassy of Switzerland, and Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster of the Embassy of Norway
Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of the Embassy of Argentina, Ambassador Nicolas Brühl of the Embassy of Switzerland, and Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster of the Embassy of Norway
Deputy Head of Mission Mohammed Ba Omar of the Embassy of Oman with Mhd Omran Alhalabi Operation Manager of VFS Global
Deputy Head of Mission Mohammed Ba Omar of the Embassy of Oman with Mhd Omran Alhalabi Operation Manager of VFS Global
Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, joined by Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi of Morocco, DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, and Archbishop Charles John Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, stands in solidarity with esteemed dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps.
Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, joined by Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi of Morocco, DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, and Archbishop Charles John Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, stands in solidarity with esteemed dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps.
“It gives me great pleasure and distinct honor to welcome you all most warmly on this blessed day, as we celebrate the 95th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—the day on which our nation was unified under the banner of Tawheed, through the vision and resolve of the founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud—may Allah bless his soul—who laid the foundations of unity, stability, and modern statehood, grounded in faith, work, and achievement,” Ambassador Alghamdi remarked.
Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Kingdom has embarked on sweeping reforms across cultural, economic, and social spheres. Ambassador Alghamdi emphasized that these changes have positioned Saudi Arabia as a global model of modernization and progress.
“The Kingdom has witnessed remarkable transformations across all fields—consolidating its religious and humanitarian standing, advancing bold reforms, and launching ambitious development programmes,” he noted.
Ambassador Alghamdi also underscored the strong and evolving relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, which began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1969. Today, this partnership spans political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian dimensions.
“Over one million Filipinos contribute to the Kingdom’s development side by side with their Saudi brothers and sisters,” he said, calling it “a shining testament to human and civilizational cooperation.”
He further highlighted the growing interest of Filipino tourists in Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, with over 150,000 visas issued this year alone.
Ambassador Ahmed Saad N. A. Al-Homidi of the Embassy of Qatar, Anagine Guevarra, Angola Consul Helen Ong, and Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki of the Embassy of Egypt
Ambassador Ahmed Saad N. A. Al-Homidi of the Embassy of Qatar, Anagine Guevarra, Angola Consul Helen Ong, and Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki of the Embassy of Egypt
Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster of the Embassy of Norway with Fabricio Sordoni of the Embassy of Argentina, and Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro
Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster of the Embassy of Norway with Fabricio Sordoni of the Embassy of Argentina, and Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro
Ambassador Meshari Yousef Muhammad Al-nibari of the Embassy of Kuwait, Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi with Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino of the Embassy of Malaysia
Ambassador Meshari Yousef Muhammad Al-nibari of the Embassy of Kuwait, Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi with Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino of the Embassy of Malaysia
Ambassador Megawati Manan of the Embassy of Brunei with Deputy Director Dimnatang M. Radia of Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC)
Ambassador Megawati Manan of the Embassy of Brunei with Deputy Director Dimnatang M. Radia of Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC)
Manila Bulletin’s Rory Page with Dr. Jerry de Guzman of Physicians' Diagnostic Services Center (PDSC)
Manila Bulletin’s Rory Page with Dr. Jerry de Guzman of Physicians' Diagnostic Services Center (PDSC)
First Secretary Saeed Mohammed Al Qeetani of the Embassy of Qatar, Third Secretary Abdullah Mohamed Al-Karbabadi of the Embassy of Bahrain, Country Manager Fawaz Al-Fahad Senior of Kuwait Airways, Second Secretary Ahmed S. Aldhafiri of the Embassy of Kuwait, and Second Secretary Abdulla Khowar of the Embassy of Qatar
First Secretary Saeed Mohammed Al Qeetani of the Embassy of Qatar, Third Secretary Abdullah Mohamed Al-Karbabadi of the Embassy of Bahrain, Country Manager Fawaz Al-Fahad Senior of Kuwait Airways, Second Secretary Ahmed S. Aldhafiri of the Embassy of Kuwait, and Second Secretary Abdulla Khowar of the Embassy of Qatar
A poignant example of Saudi-Philippine cooperation is the Kingdom’s conjoined twin separation programme. Ambassador Alghamdi recalled the recent successful surgery of Filipino twins Kleah and Maureen Ann, continuing a humanitarian mission that began more than three decades ago.
Additionally, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre is currently implementing 16 projects in the Philippines, valued at over $5.8 million. The Kingdom has also awarded 265 scholarships to Filipino students for the 2025–2026 academic year, reinforcing its commitment to educational and cultural exchange.
Ambassador Alghamdi concluded with a heartfelt message from the Saudi leadership to the Filipino people: “On this cherished occasion, I am pleased to convey to you the greetings from the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with its sincere wishes for the Republic of the Philippines, under the leadership of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for continued progress and prosperity.”
As Saudi Arabia celebrates its 95th National Day, the event in Manila served not only as a tribute to the Kingdom’s storied past but also as a reaffirmation of its role as a pillar of peace, development, and international cooperation.
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