CEBU, Philippines - The divergent personalities in business, civic leaders and members of the diplomatic corp recently came together at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel for one stimulating evening to welcome to Cebu His Excellency Tomas Javier Calvillo Unna, Ambassador of Mexico.The occasion marked the appointment of Eduardo Graham Gonzalez as its Honorary Consul of Mexico in Cebu.
Earlier in the day, Gonzalez accompanied by his supportive wife Therese, introduced the Ambassador to Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia at the Capitol. They then proceeded to open formally the consulate office at Benedicto College in A.S. Fortuna , with councillor Margot Osmeña doing the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Gonzalez in his acceptance speech relayed the similarities in both our cultures, inspite of being geographically 9,000 miles apart. He likewise touched on the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Era which started the globalization of Asia, with Manila as the trade center where products from China, India, and the Moluccas, like silk, porcelain, textiles products, laquerware and spices were traded for Mexican silver and gold from Las Islas Filipinas and shipped to Acapulco. On the return trips, aside from huge amounts of silver, the galleons brought in the Missionaries, Mexican traders and new agricultural products like corn, sugarcane, cocoa, chili, potato, tomato, avocado, cotton and tobacco.
He further stated that during this period, the Philippines and Mexico experienced extensive exchanges and influence on each others culture in language, religion, food, agriculture, clothes, songs and dances, fiestas and the arts.
After Mexico gained independence from Spain, official relations with the Philippines was once again established in 1878 and in 1953, in a joint declaration when the Mexican Embassy was established in Manila. In 1964, then President Diosdado Macapagal proclaimed 1964 as the Year of Philippine-Mexican Friendship. The Mexican government donated the Monument of Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, considered the Father of Mexican Independence. A few days later the Monument of Dr. Jose Rizal was also inaugurated in Acapulco. Both tributes are symbols of friendship and our common struggle for independence.
In closing, Honorary Consul Gonzalez expressed his sincere thanks to the Ambassador who extended the invitation to visit Mexico City, Acapulco and Guadalajara, being the sister city of Cebu, for business, a little pleasure and discover its many wonders. (FREEMAN)