Lim pays tribute to Mexican hero

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led city and Mexican Embassy officials yesterday in observing the 198th anniversary of Mexican independence by laying a wreath on the monument of Don Miguel Hidalgo de Costilla in Intramuros, Manila.

“The link between Mexico and the Philippines is intimate and in our interconnected histories, Mexico – as our older sister – led us on the road to freedom when in 1821, (it) declared its independence. Mexico has also inspired Filipinos to revolt against the colonial rule of Spain,” Lim said in a statement.

De Costilla started the Mexican War of Independence against Spain in 1810.

Lim said both the Philippines and Mexico were colonies of foreign countries and the reason Filipinos also celebrate the anniversary of Mexican independence is because both people value the fight for independence.

“In the future, if some other countries will again occupy your country and our country, we will stand and fight side by side for our independence,” he told guests present at the wreath-laying ceremony.

Among the guests were Mexican Embassy charge d’affairs Jose Oramas Cadema, Cuban Ambassador Jorge Rey Jimenez, Panama Ambassador Juan Felipe Pitty, Mexican consul Miguel Angel George, and Jose Macario Laurel and Jaime Laya of the Philippine-Mexican Business Council.   – Sandy Araneta