14 February 2013 - The coffee table book entitled “Flowers of Friendship: Philippines-Pakistan Relations” was launched on February 13 at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City.
“Flowers of Friendship” was conceptualized by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs and former Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Jesus I. Yabes.
San Francisco-based writer Gemma Nemenzo elegantly wrote the text and Mixi Macam designed the book.
The first book to ever document Philippines-Pakistan relations, “Flowers of Friendship” provides a colorful account of the ties that bind the two countries---from the formalization of their diplomatic relations on 08 September 1949 to the development of political, economic and socio-cultural relations through the years. “Flowers of Friendship” also features the significant contributions of Filipinos in Pakistan in the forging of friendship between the two nations.
Program highlights included the remarks of former DFA Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr., Pakistani Ambassador to the Philippines Mohsin Razi, film and stage director Behn Cervantes and incoming Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. All of them underscored the commonalities and the flourishing relationship between the Philippines and Pakistan, as well as the vast potential for further dialogue on the bilateral and regional levels.
In attendance were Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.; former Speaker Jose De Venecia; former Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu; former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Dante Canlas; the Ambassadors of Brunei, Vietnam and Indonesia; Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico; former Deputy Executive Secretary Ponciano Mathay; former Congressman Harry Angping; University of the Philippines (UP) Regent Ponciano Rivera; representatives from the business sector; and current and former Philippine ambassadors.
In one part of the program, Undersecretary Yabes formally turned over copies of “Flowers of Friendship” to the UP Library through UP President Dr. Alfredo E. Pascual who was also present during the occasion.
Copies of the book will likewise be donated to other educational institutions to promote and preserve Philippines-Pakistan relations. END