Philippine Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja (left) and South African Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Angela Thokozile Didiza (right) deliver their remarks
The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria hosted a diplomatic event to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on 19 June 2023 at the Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria.
The event was graced by H.E. Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and member of the National Assembly of South Africa.
It was attended by over 200 guests from the government, diplomatic corps, business sector, academic community and other sectors of South African society, as well as members of the Filipino community.
In her remarks, Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja paid tribute to our forebears whose heroism and sacrifices gave birth to the first democratic republic in Asia. She also honored the enduring legacy of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal whose 162nd birth anniversary is also being celebrated on that day. Widely regarded as the embodiment of Filipino excellence and nationalism, his life, works and writings helped inspire the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
Aside from these historic milestones, the event commemorated as well the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Africa. Ambassador Baja underscored that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the past fewyears have seen significant developments in the countries’ bilateral ties, the culmination of whichwas the South African government’s hosting of the 5th Bilateral Consultative Forum on 26 February 2023. The high-level policy consultations allowed both sides to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation in areas of shared interests such as trade and investment, agriculture, consular cooperation, defense, education, judicial cooperation, maritime cooperation, science, technology and innovation, among others.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (1) Ambassador Baja welcomes South African Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Angela Thokozile Didiza; (2) Ambassador Baja engages with Acting Deputy Director General for Asia and the Middle East Ntombizodwa Lallie of the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO); and (3) Family photo of the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria prior to the event
As the Philippines and South Africa are set to reach this diplomatic milestone on 1 November 2023, the Ambassador described the future trajectory of bilateral relations as bright and promising. She expressed confidence that with the support of partners, both sides would able to fully harness the full potential of their bilateral partnership.
Representing the South African government, Minister Didiza affirmed the close ties between the Philippines and South Africa which are anchored on their shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and a rules-based multilateral order, and expressed hope that relations will continue to flourish. She noted that the Philippines held a special spot in the heart of the country’s first Black president Nelson Mandela after hearing about the country’s consistent opposition to apartheid. Quoting the late South African and global icon, the Minister said that the Philippines is “one of the countries that had been very successful in overcoming the legacy of colonialism, of poverty, (and) of ignorance” and that South Africa “stand(s) to gain a great deal by associating with it.”
As expected, Minister Didiza also highlighted in her speech the encouraging developments in both countries’ agricultural trade, most notably the resumption of South Africa’s export of citrus fruits to the Philippines in June 2021 and the ongoing negotiations for market access for South African table grapes to the Philippines which are in the final stages.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (1) Audience waiting in anticipation; (2) Dr. Abelardo Galang II in the middle of his performance; (3) Dr. Galang receives a bouquet of flowers after his performance; and (4) Audience gives a standing ovation to Dr. Galang after his performance
Members of the Filipino community in South Africa pose with Dr. Galang (left photo) and
Ambassador Baja (right photo)
The main highlight of the event was the piano concert of Dr. Abelardo Galang, one of the Philippines’ most talented and multi-awarded pianists based in Berlin. His performance of classical Western music such as Giovanni Benedetto Platti’s Sonata in Minor C, Carl van Wyk’s 5 Short Pieces of Piano and Fredéric Chopin’s 24 Preludes Op. 28 enthralled the guests. His repertoire of Filipino music, which included classics such as Francisco Buencamino’s Harana, Antonio Molina’s Hating-Gabi, Santiago Suarez’s Tag-Araw, and a set of Filipino folk songs comprised of Planting Rice, Ili-Ili, Tulog Anay, Leron-Leron Sinta and Atin Cu Pung Singsing (all arranged by Augusto Espino), was equally riveting and had allowed the local audience to feel the throbbing heartbeat of the Filipino soul.
Dr. Galang also paid homage to South African popular music through his encore performance of Jerusalema and Pata Pata, which delighted the audience.
As a flagship cultural diplomacy initiative, the concert showcased the world-class talent and artistry of the Filipino people to the South African audience. It also aspired to contribute towards the further strengthening of cooperation and collaboration between the Philippines and South Africa through greater cultural understanding and people-to-people interaction that celebrate each of our unique and vibrant cultures, including the love of music.
To complete their full immersion in Filipino culture, guests were also invited to a reception that featured Filipino-inspired canapes and Filipino rum-based cocktails.
