Singapore’s National Day celebration in Manila this year reflected a relationship that has become increasingly defined by the people who have built lives between the two countries.

More than 150 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents based in the Philippines gathered at the Singapore Embassy on July 23 for an early celebration of Singapore’s 61st National Day, with some traveling from as far as Cebu.

Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan joined the celebration, held ahead of National Day on Aug. 9.

This year’s theme, “Go Beyond,” calls on Singaporeans to look beyond the country’s shores, build trusted relationships and find common purpose with others—an appropriate message for a community whose members have established careers, businesses and families in the Philippines.

The occasion also comes as Singapore and the Philippines mark 57 years of diplomatic relations, established in 1969. Cooperation between the two countries now spans trade and investment, innovation, sustainability and strong people-to-people ties.

Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See reflected on those connections in her National Day message published in the “Manila Bulletin” on Aug. 9.

“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,” See wrote.

Filipinos have established a significant presence in Singapore, working across healthcare, finance, technology and engineering, with many also building businesses there. Singaporeans, in turn, have made the Philippines home and developed their own professional and personal ties to the country.

Economic relations remain another important pillar. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Singapore accounted for almost 34 percent of approved foreign investment pledges in the Philippines in 2025, amounting to ₱92.834 billion.

Bilateral ties received further attention in July when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Singapore and met Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, education and environmental sustainability. Marcos also met Singaporean business leaders amid expanding investments in data infrastructure, telecommunications and healthcare.

The celebration also incorporated distinctly Filipino elements. The embassy unveiled “Flight,” a sculpture by Filipino artist Impy Pilapil donated by Singapore Airlines, which is marking 60 years of operations in the Philippines.

Created in 2015, the sculpture was previously displayed at the airline’s SilverKris Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 and now has a new home in the Singapore Embassy foyer.

The embassy also turned to one of the Philippines’ most recognizable forms of transport for its National Day campaign: a traditional jeepney dressed in Singapore red for a special photo and video shoot celebrating the friendship between the two countries.

Beyond providing a playful Filipino element to the festivities, both projects placed local creativity within Singapore’s celebration of its own national identity.

The relationship also carries wider regional significance. Singapore and the Philippines have been fellow founding members of ASEAN since 1967. With the Philippines holding the ASEAN Chairmanship this year and Singapore assuming the role in 2027, the two countries will have successive opportunities to help shape the regional agenda.

For the Singaporeans gathered in Manila, however, their 61st National Day was also something more personal: an opportunity to reconnect with their community and celebrate Singapore while in a country many of them now call home.