Lisbon, Portugal — To encourage the youth of Samahan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Portugal (SAMAKAPIPO) to have a deeper understanding about the rich and dynamic history of their adoptive country, and to become future pro-active members of Portuguese society while re-affirming their Filipino roots and heritage, the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon organized a summer break activity that included a tour on August 24, 2019.
Ambassador to Portugal Celia M. Feria, together with the Filipino-Portuguese members of SAMAKAPIPO, toured the Museu da Presidência da República (Presidential Museum) and the Palacio de Belém (Presidential Palace).
The tour, guided by Office of Portuguese Presidency’s Rita Costa, started at the Museu da Presidência da República where the group was able to appreciate the historical evolution of the Presidential Palace, which until 1910 was the official residence of the Portuguese monarchs.
The Museu is the repository of information and knowledge about the history of the Portuguese Republic covering its three vital periods, namely the First Republic from 1910 to 1926; the Military Dictatorship and New State from 1926 to 1974, and the Democracy from 1974 up to the present.
After the Museu tour, the group was given special access to the function rooms of the Palacio de Belém, whose counterpart in the Philippines is the Malacanang Palace. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa holds office in the said palace.
The group visited some of the key function rooms where momentous events in Portuguese history were held, such as the Patio dos Bichos where the past Portuguese monarchs used to house gifts of wild animals from former colonies; Sala Dourada (Golden Room) which serves as one of the three reception rooms of the Palace; and the Sala dos Embaixadores (Ambassadors Room), where foreign ambassadors present their credentials to the Portuguese President.
SAMAKAPIPO’s summer break activity also included a weekend of team building activities, hosted by the Embassy at the Ambassador’s residence.
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For more information, visit https://www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph or
https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPortugal/.
