Philippines Marks 128th Independence Anniversary and 77 Years of Diplomatic Ties with Turkey in Ankara
Ankara, June 15 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara celebrated the 128th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the 77th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Turkey with a special event titled ‘Flavors of the Philippines: A Philippine Food Festival.’ The inauguration of the festival took place at a hotel in Ankara and saw the participation of Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, representatives from various foreign missions, and a large number of invited guests.
The ceremony commenced with the national anthems of both the Philippines and Turkey, setting a solemn tone for the celebration of enduring bilateral relations.
Ambassador Ascalon Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties and Turkey’s Role in Mindanao Peace
In his address, Philippine Ambassador to Ankara, Jaime Ramon Ascalon, emphasized the significance of the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Turkey. Ambassador Ascalon noted the arrival of two chefs from the Philippines to Ankara specifically for the festival, highlighting the culinary delights offered to the guests.
Ascalon underscored the historical depth of the relationship, reminding attendees that the Philippines is Turkey’s oldest diplomatic partner in Southeast Asia. He elaborated on the multifaceted nature of these ties, which are shaped by mutual respect and partnership across various sectors, including air transportation services, defense industry cooperation, trade, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Ambassador particularly acknowledged Turkey’s crucial role in the peace process in Southern Philippines. “Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has played an indispensable role in the peace process in Southern Philippines through its leadership in the independent decommissioning body and membership in the third-party monitoring team,” Ascalon stated, recognizing Turkey’s significant contributions to regional stability.
Investing in Future Generations and Socio-Economic Development
Ambassador Ascalon also pointed to Turkey’s scholarship program, which provides young Filipinos with educational opportunities in Turkey. He described this initiative as an investment in the future of the Filipino people, strengthening human bonds that will sustain the partnership for generations to come. He further mentioned the socio-economic projects implemented by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), which he views as concrete expressions of shared human values cherished by the Filipino people.
Gastronomy Diplomacy: A Bridge for Connection and Solidarity
Emphasizing the centrality of connectivity to everything both nations aspire to build together, Ascalon remarked, “It is the artery that allows trade, tourism, students, and ideas to flow between our countries. And this evening itself is an expression of this vision. Gastronomy diplomacy, the sharing of food and culture, is one of the most humane forms of connection and solidarity.”
As the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ascalon affirmed that the Philippines extends the same spirit of solidarity to its regional leadership. He reiterated the country’s advocacy for peaceful dialogue, rules-based cooperation, connectivity, and the empowerment of people.
Ambassador Ascalon expressed hope that the partnership between Turkey and ASEAN would be elevated to its highest level this year. “Such a milestone will further strengthen Turkey’s relations with Southeast Asia and expand cooperation between our regions,” he added.
Concluding his speech, Ambassador Ascalon conveyed the Philippines’ anticipation of deepening its enduring friendship and partnership with Turkey across all sectors for the benefit of both peoples, with the fervent declarations, “Long live the Philippines! Long live Turkey!”
The ‘Flavors of the Philippines’ festival will be open to visitors until June 17.
