DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                        2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                     Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-531-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             26 June 2006
SECRETARY ROMULO  HAILS RP-U.S. PARTNERSHIP AT 60 

26 June 2006 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo hailed today the inter-agency preparations for the 60th Anniversary of Philippine- American Friendship Day on 04 July 2006, dubbed Partnership at 60. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was designated by President Arroyo to take the lead in the planning, coordination, implementation and conduct of programs and activities in commemoration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day upon signing of Administrative Order No. 152. 

“This celebration takes on a special meaning in view of the Centennial Celebration of Filipino Migration to the United States in 2006”, Secretary Romulo said. “It also highlights the robust, dynamic and strategic relationship between the Philippines and the United States”, the Secretary added. 

The commemoration of this historic event on July 4 will kick off with the inauguration of the Partnership at 60 Photo Exhibit at the DFA lobby. The photo exhibit presents a rare collection of photos and memorabilia items depicting the dynamic bilateral relations and people-to-people exchanges which have fully grown to maturity as both nations meet the challenges of the times. 

This will be followed by a musical presentation entitled Partnership at 60, A Musical Revue, showcasing DFA and U.S. Embassy musical talents who will perform popular Philippine and American classical and contemporary repertoire. 

The year-long celebration has a line-up of activities which include a photo caravan involving partner universities all over the country, lecture-series on The Filipino Legacy in the U.S., poster-making contest, and a photo exhibit on Outstanding Filipino-Americans.

An Inter-Agency Task Force was convened by the Department, composed of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Institute (NHI), the DFA Foreign Service Institute (FSI), and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), to effectively plan and implement all programs, projects and activities related to the national event. 

“This historic event can serve as an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the maturing relations between the Philippines and the U.S. as friends and equals”, Secretary Romulo concluded.  END
 
 
/jay