On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Australia Diplomatic Relations, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr and Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO witnessed the commemorative lighting of the iconic SM Mall of Asia (MoA) Globe. From 13 to 23 May 2021, the giant LED display is featuring the 75th anniversary logo and images of Australians and Filipinos exhibiting mateship and bayanihan.
The event is one of the highlights of a year-long anniversary commemoration in the Philippines and Australia. Ambassador Robinson said, “This year, we are celebrating the depth of the friendship and partnership between Australia and the Philippines which has stood firm through good times and bad – including especially the events of the past year. Secretary Locsin and I launched the 75th Anniversary celebration on Australia Day in January through the commemorative website mateshipandbayanihan.com. I am confident that the Australian tradition of mateship, which admirably aligns with the Philippine spirit of bayanihan, will continue to form the bedrock of the mutual support we provide to each other.”
The Philippines is one of Australia’s longest-standing bilateral relationships. Formal relations between the two countries were established when Australia opened a Consulate General in Manila on 22 May 1946. 22 May is now celebrated each year in the Philippines as Philippines-Australia Friendship Day as set out by Presidential Proclamation 1282.
To mark Friendship Day this year, the Embassy will be hosting an online “Stream and Sip” festival highlighting Australian film, music and food on the weekend of 22 to 23 May.
The Ambassador also launched an online campaign to inspire people across the Philippines to join the celebration by sharing their stories of friendship, “This month of May, I invite everyone to join the celebration on social media by reflecting on our deep relationship and sending messages of friendship using the hashtags #mateshipandbayanihan and #FilAussieDay,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador thanked SM for supporting the anniversary celebration. “We are pleased that SM is sharing our story of friendship on the Mall of Asia Globe, which is an iconic part of the city landscape. SM has been supporting not only our cultural activities over the years but has also made available Australian brands to our Filipino friends.”
