12 October 2004 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin M. Ebdalin today lauded the continued friendship and cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain in his remarks on the occasion of the National Day of Spain also known as “El Dia De Hispanidad”. The Philippines gained independence from Spain some 106 years ago. “Many changes have occurred in our countries. Surprisingly however, many things also remained the same,” Undersecretary Ebdalin said. “Our common history has affected the countless aspects the way Filipinos live,” Undersecretary Ebdalin added, pointing out to the fact that Spain has contributed historically to the national life of the Filipino people.

The Foreign Affairs Undersecretary cited the heavy influence of Spain in Philippine music, art, dance, language, cuisine, and architecture. “Spain has also introduced to us Christianity, which became the faith of almost 90% of Filipinos,” Undersecretary Ebdalin said. According to the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary; these influences are summed up in a single word –Hispanidad , which continues to thrive in the faith, traditions and customs and the contemporary culture of the Filipino people.

“Today, our people and our governments are bound by much more. We aspire for the same values: liberty and democracy, peace, prosperity and development for our people,” Undersecretary Ebdalin said. He noted that Spain hosts around 40,000 Filipinos and ranks as the 9th largest European trading partner of the Philippines. The Philippines is a beneficiary of Spain’s biggest development cooperation program in Asia. “We are partners in dealing with terrorism and combating crime,” Undersecretary Ebdalin added.   Recently the Philippines signed treaties of extradition and mutual legal assistance on criminal matters with Spain, which according to Undersecretary Ebdalin, are among the many mechanisms of cooperation that have been established by the Philippine and Spanish Governments.

Undersecretary Ebdalin proceeded to propose a toast to the continued success and good health of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia, to H.E. President Jose Luis Rodriquez Zapatero and to the ties and cooperation between the people of the Philippines and Spain, wishing them mutual progress and prosperity.  END