Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo welcomes the guests to the celebration of the 121st anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence. Photo by Eric Ricafort
13 June 2019 LONDON--“It was 121 years ago when our ancestors declared our people’s independence from colonial rule. Thereafter they laboured hard to establish a republic, thereby ensuring that freedom, equality, and democracy would underpin the foundations of our young nation. They, and the generations that followed, including that which fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Allied Forces in World War Two, have secured for our nation the blessings of peace, freedom and sovereignty,” Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo addressed the London’s diplomatic community during the celebration of the 121st anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on 11 June.
The diplomatic gala took place at the historic East India Club, a private members’ club founded in the mid-19th century and whose original members included ‘the servants of the East India Company and Commissioned Officers of Her Majesty’s Army and Navy’.
During his speech, the Ambassador highlighted the efforts of the Philippine government in pursuing policies that have been critical in strengthening the Philippine economy and in forging strong partnerships around the world.
“By being friends to all and enemies to none, our independent foreign policy allows us to continue working with other nations in ways that mutually benefit ourselves, our region and the international community,” he said.
He also drew attention to the Embassy’s efforts to strengthen Philippine-British ties, to promote Philippine culture, tourism, and trade; and to protect the rights and uphold the welfare of Filipinos in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.
“This Filipino diaspora currently stands at about 200 thousand strong, of whom many are now law-abiding and tax-paying British citizens and loyal subjects of Her Majesty The Queen,” said the Ambassador. “They form the fertile soil where seeds of cross-cultural understanding and people-to-people cooperation have been planted. They are the bedrock on which the abiding friendship between the United Kingdom and the Philippines rests.”
The Ambassador concluded his remarks with a toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of the diplomatic gala’s Guest of Honor, Her Majesty’s Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Alistair Harisson CMG CVO. END
Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo and Mr. Alistair Harisson CMG CVO, Her Majesty’s Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo and Madame Linda F. Lagdameo lead this year’s celebration of the anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. Photo by Eric Ricafort