(Message delivered at the Singapore’s 61st National Day.)

Dear readers of Manila Bulletin and friends of Singapore,

Singapore celebrates our 61st National Day on Aug. 9. with the theme “Go Beyond.” For a small island nation, going beyond has always meant looking beyond our shores, building trusted relationships and finding common purpose with others.

Few relationships illustrate this better than the one Singapore shares with the Philippines. This year marks 57 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Over nearly six decades, we have built a multi-faceted and robust partnership spanning trade and investment, innovation, sustainability and, above all, the close connections between our peoples.

Serving as Singapore’s Ambassador has given me the extraordinary privilege of meeting. Filipinos from all walks of life across the country. Whether speaking with students, entrepreneurs, public servants, academics or community leaders, I have always been struck by their warmth, creativity, determination and willingness to collaborate to solve problems. Those encounters have made my time in the Philippines deeply rewarding and have further strengthened my confidence in the future of our partnership.

People are at the heart of our ties. Today, a large and vibrant Filipino community calls Singapore home. They contribute across healthcare, finance, technology, engineering and many other fields, enriching our society through their skills, dedication and enterprise. Many have also established successful businesses in Singapore. At the same time, a growing number of Singaporeans have built careers and raised families in the Philippines, contributing to the country’s development. They are drawn by the opportunities here, and by the energy and entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipino people.

These people-to-people ties are reinforced by deep economic linkages. Singapore has long been one of the Philippines’ largest foreign investors, a testament to our confidence in its long-term potential. Behind these investments are enduring partnerships between Singapore and Philippine companies that have created jobs, developed new capabilities and supported growth across many sectors of the economy.

Our longstanding friendship gained fresh impetus recently during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Singapore in July 2026, where he met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, education and environmental sustainability. Their discussions underscored a shared resolve to keep our partnership future-ready and responsive to the needs of our peoples. President Marcos also met Singaporean business leaders, whose confidence in the Philippine economy is reflected in their expanding investments in, inter alia, data infrastructure, telecommunications and healthcare.

Singapore and the Philippines have stood together since the founding of ASEAN in 1967. As fellow founding members, we share a common interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia where we work together, uphold international law and keep our region open and connected. Singapore is proud to support the Philippines as ASEAN Chair this year and looks forward to building on that momentum when we assume the Chairmanship in 2027.

I am grateful for the close ties our two countries have built over the past 57 years. Our relationship has been strengthened not only by agreements between governments or the investments of our companies, but also by the countless and growing connections between our people. I am confident that by continuing to invest in one another’s success, we will create new opportunities for our peoples and contribute to an even stronger ASEAN.

Majulah Singapura. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.