National Historical Commission leads the celebration of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in cooperation with The Embassy of Spain, other government agencies, historical societies and the academe, celebrated Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on June 30, 2013 with activities that paid homage to the heroism of Filipino and Spanish soldiers. 

 

The annual celebration commemorates President Emilio Aguinaldo’s magnanimous gesture when he issued a decree on June 30, 1899 and the 33 Spanish survivors from the siege of Baler be treated as friends instead of prisoners. The act was affirmed through the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act or Republic Act 9187, a symbol of enduring friendship etween both countries. 

 

Gala performances from Filipino and Spanish artists, round table discussions and photo exhibitions are some of this year’s activities.

 

The NHCP is a National Government Agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine historical heritage through research, information dissemination, conservation, including the marking of historic sites and structures and the maintenance and the administration of national shrines, monuments and landmarks.

 

Activities from June 29 to December 9 

 

“Amigos Para Siempre” (“Friends Forever”)
a gala performance featuring performances from a variety of cultural and musical icons

Sentro Baler

7:30 p.m., June 29, 2013  

 

Baler VIP’s Commemorative Program themed “500 Years of Spanish Presence in the Pacific,” at the Municipality of Baler featuring selected speakers from Philippine & Spanish delegations 

Baler Municipal Plaza 

June 30, 2013

 

Solo Guitarra (Flamenco Guitar Show) 

Casino Espanol de Cebu 

7 p.m., July 2, 2013

 

Roundtable Discussion on the impact of Spanish presence in the Philippines
(with photo exhibit and performances)

Tanghalang Julian Felipe, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite

September 13, 2013

 

Roundtable Discussion presenting literary documents and songs on the significance of Hispanic legacy in the history of the Philippines

Carlos Dominguez Hall, Ateneo de Zamboanga University 

October 4, 2013

 

South Sea Adventure, an exhibition of never-before-seen 16th and 17th century documents.

National Museum

October 8, 2013 until December 15, 2013

 

Philippine-Spanish Forum on the Pacific Ocean, a seminar on the scientific impact of explorations in the Pacific Ocean that will pool Spanish and Filipino historians.

Claro M. Recto Conference Hall, University of the Philippines-Diliman 

October 8 to 9, 2013

 

Cebu: Urbanidad y Urbanismo, an exhibit at the Province of Cebu and Cebu City featuring historical blueprints during the Spanish period

University of San Carlos

October 21, 2013

 

Conference on “Locating Historical Confluences in Northern Luzon, 18th to 19th Centuries and Beyond” 

College of Social Sciences Auditorium, University of the Philippines-Baguio

Press release from National Historical Commission of the Philippines