Singapore showcased its country’s achievements, as its embassy in Manila hosted a colorful affair last Aug. 8 at The Ballroom of Raffles and Fairmont Hotel for the celebration of its 53rd National Day.
Dubbed “We Are Singapore,” the festivity highlights a pledge of unity and togetherness among diverse cultures. “We” in this year’s theme emphasizes the collective, regardless of their origins and wherever they currently are – a vow that Singapore is their way of life and will always be their home.
Among those in attendance were essential people in the political, economic and diplomatic field. The well-attended affair was hosted by outgoing Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng, who was joined at the event’s opening ceremonies by their guest of honor, Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo Montealegre, and Dean of the Philippine Diplomatic Corps Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia.
The Philippines and Singapore established full diplomatic relations on May 1969, when the Philippine consulate-general in Singapore was raised to embassy level. Both countries are founding fathers of the Asean.
“Rest assured, I think bilateral relation is pretty good. I’m confident that next year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our friendship, ties will become even stronger. And this is because we both are fellow Asean members, we both love food, we both love music, and we love each other,” Ambassador Kok Li Peng beamed.
For more than 50 years, Singapore has defied odds by becoming one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Li Peng credited their economic success to their founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, adding that her generation and generations after have and will continue to benefit from the labor and discipline of Singapore’s older generation.