The Philippines Receives a Gift from Spain

From left: Diocese of Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Al Ryan Alejandre representing the National Quincentennial Committee, Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Moragas, and Guiuan Municipal Mayor Annaliza Kwan.

On 18 March 2021, Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Moragas presented the gift of Spain to the Philippines this 500th anniversary of the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world: a Spanish translation of the Historical Marker of Samar (the Filipino marker was unveiled by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte earlier this afternoon).

The presentation happened during the 500th Anniversary of the Philippine-Spanish Contact Solidarity Night hosted by the Municipality of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The reckoning date to this anniversary is the 18 March 1521 meeting between the ruler of Suluan (an island under Guiuan) and Ferdinand Magellan, captain-general of the Magellan-Elcano expedition.

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