Dia del Galeon

The Philippine proposal for the commemoration of the galleon trade between the Philippines and Mexico through the proclamation of a “Dia del Galeon” (Day of the Galleon) was unanimously approved by the UNESCO General Conference last month. This now becomes part of the action plan for the celebration of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures in 2010. It was co-sponsored by Spain and Latin American countries like Mexico, Cuba, Columbia, Peru and Brazil with support from ASEAN provided by Laos and Thailand and Sweden speaking out for Europe. The resolution noted that for 250 years (1565-1815), the Manila-Acapulco galleons linked Asia with America, Europe and as far as Africa and served not only as carriers of trade but transmitters of cultures as well,                                                                                Convinced that it is fitting to commemorate the beginnings of world trade and cross-cultural contacts, especially in the light of the declaration of 2010 as “International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures” under A/RES?62/90, this highlights the links among peoples and diversity of cultures;

Proclaims the 8th of October every year as Dia del Galeon (Day of the Galleon);

Invites the Director-General to encourage and support all initiatives which will be taken in this regard at the national, regional and international levels.”

Our Philippine Ambassador to UNESCO and France Rora Navarro-Tolentino deserves kudos for officially, effectively presenting the Resolution. Equally to be Director, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, a 1972 Ramon Magsaysay awardee for Outstanding Public Service through the Arts and as well as the 1993 UNESCO Artist for Peace honored for her direction of a socially integrated performing group of differently-abled and disadvantaged youth. The Baler 400 action plan was assisted by Senator Edgardo Angara, the principal sponsor of the Heritage Bill which is expected to be signed into law before the end of the year.

The Interagency Committee created through a proclamation by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to celebrate the 400 years of the founding of the town of Baler is led by NCCA, chaired by DepEd undersecretary, Dr. Wilma Labrador.

Clearly, the Cultural Diplomacy front lined by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now reaping benefits for the country. Her visit to Mexico, Columbia and Brazil have certainly built goodwill and recharged kinship with the Latin American countries. In her State visit to Spain in 2007, the president visited Ordizia and with Mayor Jose Santamaria unveiled the Museum for Fray Urdaneta who is credited for the discovery of the “ternaviaje”. The return route made possible the successful run of the galleon for 2-1/2 centuries. Her presidential proclamation to celebrate Urdaneta’s 5th centenary produced a unique world class Fray Urdaneta Plaza in Pangasinan. It was created by four collaborating national artists conceptualized by Guidote-Alvarez: Abdulmari Imao created the multi-purpose boat-shaped base that has a life size statue of Urdaneta crafted by Napoleon Abueva while the landscape with a lagoon was designed by I.P. Santos and I was tasked to write the Ode to Urdaneta who steered the San Pedro galleon reaching Acapulco on October 8, 1565. The trade route, the Manila-Acapulco galleons is a precursor of globalization. The galleon carried not only merchandise of porcelain jars, vases, spices, textile, tapestries, rugs, chests, ivory statues, as well as cacao, tobacco among others, which through the years enriched Philippine flora, fauna, cuisine and promoted inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue.

We applaud this panoramic vision of not only allowing the Philippines to be the cultural gateway in Asia triangulating intercontinental cooperation in appreciating the historic value of the galleon trade but also puts relevantly on centerstage today, the plight of our seafarers and the condition of our oceans affected by pollution and impacted by climate change.

A “Dia del Galleon” roundtable discussion and cultural presentation featuring the Ambassadors that pushed for the Dia del Galeon Resolution with the leaders of the Baler 400 inter-agency committee will be featured on NBN 4 tomorrow, Sunday, from 4 to 6 pm.