Ties that bind
In my almost 30 years of covering presidents, I don’t remember the Chief Executive gracing a national day celebration or diplomatic reception outside Malacañang.
So the presence of President Marcos at the celebration of Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s 63rd birthday at the ShangriLa at The Fort ballroom was arguably one in a thousand.
Japan is inarguably special to President Marcos, or perhaps it is part of the President’s unique style toward the country’s allies.
The President said in his speech that night that Japan is the Philippines’ largest source of Official Development Assistance.
For his part, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said that the official visit to Japan early this year of President Marcos “reaffirmed the friendly relations between our countries and charted its future course.” He said that the bilateral ties of Japan and the Philippines are poised to reach even greater heights especially in the areas of economics, defense, and people-to-people exchanges — and collaborations like the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway, and Coast Guard Cooperation. He also identified the postpandemic revival and growth of tourism, and the vibrant exchanges in sports, as promising avenues for Japan and the Philippines. Ambassador Koshikawa noted the successes of gymnast Carlos Yulo, golfer Saso Yuka, and Karateka Tsuki Junna, as well as the Filipino basketball players of the Japan B.League as prime examples.
He also expressed optimism for the upcoming FIBA Basketball
World Cup, which Japan will co-host with the Philippines and Indonesia.
President Marcos Jr. wished “abundant happiness and blessings to His Majesty The Emperor as he leads Japan to continued prosperity and the promotion of peace.” He also noted that the Philippines is committed to maintaining the “positive trajectory” of its bilateral relations with Japan, and described Japan as a “friend, neighbor, and strategic partner.”
Karaoke diplomacy
On a similar yet different note was the karaoke night hosted by Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss and his lovely wife Gila. They celebrated 65 years of friendship between the Philippines and Israel in a resounding manner — by holding a karaoke party in their residence! And members of the Senate and Congress, as well as other notable figures from the executive department and the business circle, were all for it. Among those spotted at the party were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and fellow legislators senators Cynthia Villar, Joel Villanueva and Robin Padilla. Padilla, especially, wowed the crowd with two numbers: Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight. Also present were “People of the Year” awardee Angkas CEO George Royeca, Rep. Tonypet Albano, Rep. Raul Ruiz Daza and Science and technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.
While Ambassador Fluss didn’t sing that night, he did share some heartfelt words for his guests: “So, 65 years ago we signed the treaty of friendship between Israel and the Philippines, which is not establishing relations, but a declaration of the friendship of the countries. Today, we are celebrating it as friendship day,” he said, before enumerating the two countries’ partnerships in the fields of technology and innovation, to name a few.
And on that note, with overflowing Israeli wine and an abundance of kosher dishes fueling the guests, the party continued!