Putin’s visit is in return to the official visit of former President Fidel Ramos in September 1997.
The Philippines and Russia will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
To kick off the celebrations, the Friendship Society of Philippines-Russia celebrated Old Russian New Year at the Russian Ambassador’s residence last Friday.
The event was a fundraising for the society’s planned events to mark this milestone in Philippine-Russian relations.
The program included a Russian inspired dance performed by the country’s most renowned ballerina, Lisa Macuja, and her Ballet Philippines troupe. Following dinner, Raul Sunico indulged the guests with a virtuoso performance that included his own arrangement of Bayan Ko.
The event witnessed a cultural exchange of sorts. The Russian Ambassador and his lady were attired in traditional Filipino dress while the ladies of the Society wore traditional Russian ‘sarafan’ costumes.
The Friendship Society of Philippines-Russia is a non-profit organization cultivating cultural and economic links between the Philippines and Russia. The Society’s Honorary Chairman is Congressman Roque Ablan and its president is Conchita Bautista.
Among those who attended the event were Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, PCGG chairman Camilo Sabio, Lovely Romulo, BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Bunag, former DILG secretary Cesar Sarino and his wife, and former Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Jaime Bautista.