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PHL AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES 450^TH ANNIVERSARY OF LEGAZPI-URDANETA EXPEDITION TO PHL

04 December 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. attended a three-day series of commemorative activities from November 21 in the port district of Barra de Navidad, Municipality of Cihuatlán, State of Jalisco, Mexico, to mark the 450^th anniversary of the Maritime Expedition of Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi and circumnavigator and Augustinian friar Andrés de Urdaneta to the Philippine archipelago. Ambassador Dilem was accompanied by First Secretary and Consul Angelo V. Amonoy.

A civic ceremony held later at the Commemorative Monument of the Legazpi-Urdaneta Maritime Expedition featured the singing of the Mexican and Philippine national anthems, in Spanish, by young students of the Escuela Primaria Miguel López de Legazpi and a wreath-laying at the foot of the Memorial.

In his address, Ambassador Dilem announced that the Philippine Embassy would soon turn over a painting that renowned Filipino artist Manuel D. Baldemor had agreed to donate to the Cihuatlán Municipal Government, which also administers Barra de Navidad, in recognition of the continuing friendship between the Philippines and Mexico that underpinned this year´s memorable celebration of the Legazpi-Urdaneta Expedition.

The next two days featured a a heavy line-up of activities, including an academic conference, a theater play, and chorale singing, as well as performances by symphony orchestras, a jazz ensemble, and several musical artists and live bands.

The Legazpi-Urdaneta Expedition was a defining moment in the annals of world history, ushering in the Spanish occupation of the Philippines that lasted well into the 19^th century, facilitating transpacific commerce through the discovery of a favorable west-to-east route across the Pacific, or the tornaviaje, and bringing about the first stirrings to life of a global village.

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PHL AMBASSADOR VISITS ESCUELA PRIMARIA REPUBLICA DE FILIPINAS IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

12 November 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. visited the Escuela Primaria Republica de Filipinas in Guadalajara, State of Jalisco on November 07, accompanied by Philippine Honorary Consul Martin Camarena de Obeso and Honorary Vice-Consul Martha Mejia de Castañeda. Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor was also part of the delegation.

The school provides primary education to more than 1,000 Mexican students and is the biggest school in the northeastern part of the city. The school was named after the Philippines in 1969, taking into consideration the similarities in history, culture and tradition between the Philippines and Mexico.  

Ambassador Dilem and his delegation were warmly received by school officials and teachers led by school supervisor Edilbeto Rios, School Director Adolfo Segura and the President of the Parent-Teacher Association as well as the students who waved Philippine and Mexican flags.   

The school director thanked the Ambassador and his delegation for the visit as he briefed the students on the role of the Ambassador as representative of the Philippine Government in Mexico. One of the students also read a short history of the Philippines. The delegation was likewise given a tour of the school premises in which a mural was done by a Mexican artist featuring the seal of the Philippines.

Honorary Consul Macarena promised to donate six bicycles for the best students in each grade, which was greatly appreciated by the school officials and students.