Europe Day: Opportunity to celebrate friendship, partnership with Filipinos
WE are honored and humbled to light with European colors the monument dedicated to the Philippines’s national hero Jose Rizal this evening for the first time. Against the backdrop of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Europe Day reminds us that peace is at the core of the European integration project—a value that we share with the Philippines.
I thank Executive Director [Cecille] Lorenzana Romero and the Honorable Secretary [Bernadette] Romulo Puyat for their kind assistance in illuminating two historical sites in this park on the founding day of the European Union (EU).
Rizal Park has many connections to Europe. Rediscovering it is also rediscovering the history of the Philippines and the Filipino people. The park’s history started in 1820 with the completion of the Paseo de Luneta, while the shrine was inaugurated in 1913 during the 17th death anniversary of Rizal. I understand the drinking fountain was shipped from Heidelberg, Germany where Rizal also studied. It is a wonderful symbol of the ties that bind the Philippines and the EU.
The European Garden, or the “Noli Me Tangere” Garden, has drawn inspiration from European gardens. Last year the EU Delegation installed bike racks in the park to promote cycling and a sustainable lifestyle among Filipinos. These are some of the curious
trivia, which connects the park to Europe. Tonight’s lighting of the Rizal monument and the dancing fountain reinforce the bond between the Philippines and Europe Day celebrations.
Europe Day, held on May 9 every year, celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic “Schuman declaration” that set out [an] idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which has resulted in a strong political union of 27 nations united in their diversity, moving from economic integration to becoming a global and security actor.
In the Philippines, Europe Day has become an opportunity to celebrate friendship and partnership with the Filipino people. While the pandemic has, for the last two years, put the world at a standstill, we have all managed to cope. We are delighted to see that the Philippines is recovering, with more than 70 million Filipinos now vaccinated, and the Philippines is again opening its doors to tourists under the leadership of Secretary Romulo Puyat.
Let us all celebrate with the splash of EU colors tonight in the spirit of partnership and friendship.