Angara cited on PH-Spanish Friendship Day

The Philippine-Spanish Friendship Act signed into law 16 years ago is now bearing fruits and is well on its way to immortalize the lasting relationship between the two countries thru the pioneering works of its author, the late senator Edgardo J. Angara.

This was the unanimous assessment made by foreign and local dignitaries, historians and top government officials led by Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara who graced the celebration of the 16th PhilippineSpanish Friendship Day and the commemoration of the 119th anniversary of the historic Siege of Baler at the capital town of Aurora province on Saturday.

Aside from remembering the shared history and friendship between the two countries, the twin events became a tribute to the contributions and pioneering works of the late senator as a result of one of his most significant pieces of legislation, the Republic Act 9187, also known as the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Act.

“June 30 marks the day when the Republic of the Philippines, now a sovereign equal to Spain, extended the hand of friendship to a worthy enemy and former colonizer. June 30 is an important day for both countries because it will celebrate the best traits of both races – the valor and loyalty of the Spanish soldiers and the nobility of character and the generosity of spirit of the Filipinos. June 30 symbolizes a story of two nations, the Philippines and Spain. This story now continues in deep friendship in cooperation and in mutual respect between our two countries,” the younger Angara read a portion of his late father’s sponsorship speech delivered before the Senate on May 30, 2002.