As a friend of Europe, having received the Award of Distinction from the European Union in 2019, I took the time to host a small farewell gathering for His Excellency Luc Véron, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, who is set to end his tour of duty this month.
We engaged in a meaningful discussion, reaffirming our commitment to strengthening our countries’ relations. We discussed a bill I principally sponsored, highlighting a significant event in Philippine history on August 1, 1898, when 200 municipal officials signed an amended Declaration of Independence to supplement the declaration made on June 12. Our conversation also touched on the Philippines’ active involvement in global cultural exchanges, including the Frankfurt Book Fair, where the Philippines will be the Guest of Honour in 2025, and the Venice Biennale. We also delved into Jose Rizal’s historical connections to Europe, including his travels to Germany, the Czech Republic, where he met his close friend and collaborator Ferdinand Blumentritt, and Belgium, where he completed his novel, El Filibusterismo.
As Ambassador Véron embarks on his next journey, I am grateful for his contributions and hopeful that our shared values and friendship will continue to flourish across borders. I wish Ambassador Véron the best of luck in his future pursuits!
