RP to host first-ever 'Dia del Galeon' commemoration

MANILA, Philippines - With the hope of reclaiming the glory of Manila as the world’s center of trade, the Philippines is hosting the first international commemoration of “Dia del Galeon (Galleon Day) on Oct. 8.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, honorary chairman of the steering committee, said various events are now being readied to mark Dia del Galeon which will be observed simultaneously in Manila, Madrid and Mexico.

Angara said the festival is expected to push the Philippines into the international festival scene.

“If there is one memorable heritage that we can truly be proud of and would want to preserve is that Manila has become as a center of the galleon trade,” Angara said.

He said the Philippines played a significant role in one of the most important trade routes in history and has thus taken the task to organize a monumental event in tribute to the galleon trade.

Through the galleon trade, Angara said, various Philippine products were introduced to the world and it started the country’s booming overseas employment.

Inter-agency event head Cecile Guidote-Alvarez said national and international agencies have teamed up to commemorate the event, which would hopefully enable the country to reclaim its glory in the historic galleon trade.

“The event will help our country link up with the global community of artists, educators, cultural workers and government leaders and look at ways how our arts and heritage can response to global crises, politics and economy,” she said.

According to Alvarez, the event would also assess the impact of Spanish cultural heritage on the contemporary world and stimulate international collaboration for sustainable development.

In line with the event, there will a three-day international gathering of scholars, artists, and cultural workers from various countries “impacted” by the galleon trade in an effort to revive links and enrich the global agenda on sustainable development.

Selected public school students would also be joining a one-week educational trip tracing the galleon trade in the Philippines.

Alvarez said they are also working with the Department of Education and planning activities to raise awareness on the importance of the galleon trade among Filipino students.