President Arroyo’s presence turned the evening into a grand event which was attended by members of Soliven’s family, friends, diplomats, Cabinet members and colleagues.
The French Legion of Honor with the rank of Officer (Officier) was awarded by French President Jacques Chirac. It was the second award conferred by France on Soliven, who had been awarded the National Order of Merit with the rank of Chevalier by the late French President Francois Mitterand.
Légion d’Honneur is an Order of Chivalry first established by Napoléon Bonaparte, first Consul of the French Republic on May 19, 1802. The order is conferred upon men and women, either French citizens or foreigners, for outstanding achievements in military or civil life.
Among those who turned up to celebrate the occasion were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Avelino "Nonong" Cruz, members of the diplomatic corps, journalists, colleagues, and friends from the business and political community.