GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN HANOI UNVEILS THE 1734 MURILLO MAP DURING COMMEMORATION OF THE 127 TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

On 12 June 2025, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Meynardo LB. Montealegre, unveiled the replica of the 1734 Murillo Map. The unveiling ceremony was held as part of the celebration of the 127^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence held at the Chancery of the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi.

Speaking before the members of the Filipino Community, Ambassador Montealegre explained that the Murillo Map, which was published in 1734, serves as a testament of the Philippines’ deep historical roots and identity as a nation.

“Today, on this very important occasion commemorating the declaration of our independence and the establishment of Philippine nationhood, I am pleased to inform all of you that last year, the Philippine Embassy was gifted once copy of the Murillo Map of 1734 by Mr. Mel Velarde, and I am privileged to unveil and share it all with you.”

“Widely regarded as ‘the mother of all Philippine maps’, the Murillo Map of 1734 features details that not only captures geographical contours of our archipelago. It provides a snapshot of the vibrant interplay of cultures, peoples and traditions of our nation as far back as the early 18^th century. It also became a critical piece of evidence in the 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that upheld the Philippines’ rights and entitlements over the West Philippine Sea,” Ambassador Montealegre explained.

Ambassador Montealegre also gave a brief historical information on how the Murillo Map was acquired by the Philippine Government through Mr. Mel Velarde. The replica of the Murillo Map will be proudly and permanently displayed in the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal.

“I sincerely hope that this scientific and historical document will continue to provide inspiration to Filipinos visiting the Embassy and those living and working in Vietnam not to forget the extent of our territory and our rich patrimony and history,” the Ambassador concluded.

END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN HANOI HOSTS A RECEPTION AND CONCERT FOR THE 127 TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE AND THE 10 TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE-VIETNAM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, headed by Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre, hosted a
reception and concert to commemorate the 127 th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine
Independence and the 10 th Anniversary of Philippine-Vietnam Strategic Partnership yesterday, 10
June 2025, at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
More than 250 individuals attended the event headed by Vietnam Communist Party Central
Committee member and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, as well as officials from
different ministries, local governments, representatives from the defense and public security of
Vietnam, ambassadors and charge d’affaires from various diplomatic missions from ASEAN
member states and other countries, heads and representatives of regional offices of international
organizations, military attaches, local union of friendship organizations, representatives of
Vietnamese and Philippine companies, and members of the Filipino community.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Montealegre highlighted the growth of the relations
between Vietnam and the Philippines through the years. “On July 12, 1976, we established our
diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Ten years ago, in November 2015, our diplomatic relation with
Vietnam was elevated to that of a Strategic Partnership – a relationship that has been deeply
nurtured through mutual respect and meaningful cooperation across all levels in various fields.”
“From a bilateral trade of just US$5.87 million in 1980, two-way trade between the Philippines
and Vietnam as of 2024 stood between US$7 billion and US$8 billion. Both sides are working to
foster more beneficial market access to reach an agreed target of US$10 billion.”
Ambassador Montealegre also mentioned that both countries have active cooperation in defense
and security, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, education, cultural cooperation, and
people-to-people relations which intensified following President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. 's State
Visit to Vietnam in January last year.
“As maritime nations sharing not just a common boundary but a mutual desire to build a maritime
space of peace in line with international law and the UNCLOS, the Philippines puts primary
importance in maintaining robust and intensive maritime relations with Vietnam, the objective of
maintaining freedom of navigation, ensuring safety of life and property and promoting peace and
good order at sea.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Cuong emphasized: “For Vietnam, the Philippines is not
only an important strategic partner but also a close friend and fellow member of the ASEAN
family. Vietnam-Philippines relationship has developed robustly across all sectors: political-
diplomatic, economic-commercial, cultural-social, and defense-security cooperation.
“Vietnam is proud to be the Philippines' only Strategic Partner within ASEAN. Looking to the
future, I am confident that Vietnam-Philippine relations will continue to develop more robustly and
comprehensively,” the Deputy Foreign Minister concluded.
The highlight of the event was the performance of two groups of vocal artists from the
Philippines, namely “The Nightingales” (the soprano duo of the Philippine Madrigal Singers
Company of Artists) and “The Song Weavers” composed of 11 members.
Both groups performed OPM classics, kundiman, and Philippine folksong medley. Two
Vietnamese songs entitled “Việt Nam Quê Hương Tôi” (Vietnam My Homeland) and “Tôi Yêu” (I

Love) were also performed, bringing much delight and pride to the members of the audience,
especially the Vietnamese attendees.
The reception and musical night are part of the week-long event organized by the Philippine
Embassy in Hanoi. On Sunday, 8 June, the Embassy also inaugurated the Philippine Food
Festival at Sheraton Hanoi Hotel featuring Philippine dishes cooked and prepared by Filipino
chef Geramarie Dianzon of Sheraton Manila Bay. The said event will culminate on 12 June 2025.
On 12 June, the Embassy will also lead the traditional flag-raising event at the Embassy ground
in Hanoi which will feature the re-enactment of the first unfurling of the Philippine flag in Kawit,
Cavite and unveil the replica of the 1734 Murillo Map donated by educator and businessman Mr.
Mel V. Velarde.
END

PH EMBASSY IN HANOI OPENS FILIPINO FOOD FESTIVAL AT SHERATON HANOI HOTEL

The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, in partnership with Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, officially opened its Filipino Food Festival at the Oven D’Or Restaurant.

Sheraton Hanoi flew in Chef Geramarie Dianzon of Sheraton Manila Bay to personally prepare and supervise the preparation of well-loved Filipino dishes such as chicken adobo, pork sisig, kinilaw, pok humba, lechon belly, halo halo, turon and many more. Meanwhile, a Vietnamese chef from Sheraton Hanoi will also visit Sheraton Manila Bay to showcase Vietnamese cuisine to Filipino clients.

This event is part of the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi’s cultural diplomacy initiative to celebrate the 127th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and coincides with the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Philippines-Vietnam Strategic Partnership.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Meynardo LB. Montealegre explained that the 5-day event aims to strengthen the mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. He also shared the distinct characteristics of Filipino cuisine known for a mixture of different flavors from indigenous ingredients. “Its sour notes are from our use of coconut vinegar or cane vinegar and other souring agents available in the Philippines to preserve the food longer in the country’s warm climate. We also take pride with our sweet desserts as sugar cane is one of the country’s top agricultural exports.”

Ambassador Montealegre emphasized the concept of sharing a meal in Filipino culture. He explained that Filipinos often use the phrase “kain tayo”, which means let us eat in English. “For Filipinos, sharing a meal together is more than just a daily routine, it is a fundamental aspect of our culture. More than just nourishing our bodies with our rich and diverse cuisine, eating together nourishes our relationships, strengthens bonds and is our way of sharing with you all our Filipino traditions and cultural heritage.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassadors and charge d’affaires of ASEAN Missions based in Hanoi as well as the UN Country Representative for Vietnam Ms. Pauline Tamesis. Sheraton Hanoi Hotel General Manager Tiffany Hwang and Head Chef Nguyen Chung as well as officials from the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association attended the important occasion.

The festival will run until 12 June 2025 with the Filipino community enjoying a 30% discount from the festival. Sheraton Hanoi shared with the Embassy that the promotions for the festival garnered much attention from the community, with table bookings reaching maximum capacity on certain days, including the opening lunch. END

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Meynardo LB. Montealegre, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of the Philippine Food Festival in Hanoi

Celebratory toast at the opening of the Philippine Food Festival

H.E. Mr. Meynardo LB. Montealegre, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam (center), leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Philippine Food Festival at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel on June 8, 2025. The event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Philippines-Vietnam Strategic Partnership and National Heritage Month (May).

The Philippine Food Festival welcomed members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community, who enjoyed a variety of traditional Filipino dishes

Filipino Chef Ms. Geramarie Dianzon of Sheraton Manila Bay gives a live cooking demonstration of the iconic dish sisig at the Philippine Food Festival in Hanoi