Order of Malta prince turns over Yolanda houses

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino conferred on the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta Fra’ Matthew Festing the Order of Sikatuna award with the rank of Raja or Grand Collar in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthen and deepen the relations between the Philippines and the religious order.

In turn, Aquino received from Festing the Collar of the Order pro Merito Melitensi to highlight the “excellent bonds of friendship” between the country and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965.

The Sovereign Order wished the Philippine leader “every success in his future endeavors” in its citation.

For Festing, the Philippine government noted in its citation his exemplary and outstanding contributions in the fields of health, humanitarian support, disaster relief and emergency services and for his leadership in extending assistance to the needy and to those in the peripheries of society.

Festing was also honored for his invaluable support to the Philippines during times of natural calamities, particularly Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009, Sendong in 2011, Pablo in 2012, the Bohol and Cebu earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda both in 2013 through the facilitation of the religious order’s humanitarian assistance programs.

Festing was also cited for his commitment and hard work in the continued enhancement of people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the Sovereign Order.

In his press statement following the ceremonial turnover of the symbolic key to 700 houses donated by the religious order for Basey, Samar and Bantayan Island in Cebu devastated by Yolanda and the conferment ceremony, Aquino said Festing’s visit was a “historic milestone” as it marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Sovereign Order.

“The strength of our partnership comes as no surprise. After all, we share many of the same values, especially given our common Roman Catholic heritage. In particular, we admire your order’s commitment to its mission: ‘Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum:’ nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sick representing the Lord,” Aquino said.

Over the years, Aquino said the country witnessed the religious order carry out its mission in many instances through its charitable works.

“From the humanitarian relief assistance you extended in the aftermath of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, to the 700 new homes you constructed for those who were affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, you have consistently helped us alleviate the suffering of our countrymen in the soonest possible time,” he said.

Aquino said the ceremonial handover of the symbolic key to the houses further illustrated the religious order’s generosity towards their fellowmen.

“This complements our own government’s plan to build back better: to break the vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction by emphasizing long-term resilience in our reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts,” Aquino said.

“We also welcome the news that Malteser International, the relief and humanitarian arm of the Order, plans to establish a regional office in Southeast Asia. Its physical presence in our part of the world will certainly benefit Asian countries by allowing more effective coordination and execution of relief activities, and facilitating our increased cooperation in areas of mutual benefit,” he said.

Festing also paid a courtesy call on Vice President Jejomar Binay at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City yesterday afternoon.

“They will build a clinic in Quiapo that will be equipped with a dialysis machine. They would also assist patients with AIDS,” Binay later told reporters.

Oldest order of chivalry

Festing arrived on Sunday for a seven-day visit in the country, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Philippines.

This is the first visit of a Grand Master to the Philippines in over 30 years. The last time was in 1979 with then Grand Master Fra’ Angelo de Mojana di Cologna.

Aquino said Festing was awarded the highest order of diplomatic merit the Filipino people could bestow upon a leader of a sovereign state, pointing out it could stand as a symbol of the country’s gratitude for the religious order’s friendship and assistance in the past half century.

“These positive developments instill confidence that, moving forward, our bilateral relations will grow further, on the foundations of our shared values, beliefs and decades of friendship,” Aquino said.

Aquino said the Sovereign Order of Malta has the distinction of being the oldest order of chivalry, an association defined by a religious, moral and social code. As an order, however, it was unique in the sense that it began as a hospice founded in 1050 in Jerusalem by Italian merchants dedicated to the care of Christian pilgrims.

“To this day, it remains true to its beginnings: an order exemplifying valor, charity and devotion. The Sovereign Order of Malta had a presence in the Philippines even before the Second World War. Prominent members of society began to be received into the order in 1948, and the Philippine Association was officially established in 1957,” Aquino said.

On a personal note, the President said the Sovereign Order had long been part of his family’s history as his maternal grandparents, Jose and Demetria Cojuangco, and paternal grandmother Aurora Aquino, were members of the noble order.

“This makes your conferment of your Order of Merit pro Merito Melitensi all the more meaningful to me. Your Highness, I accept the conferment of this order on behalf of the Filipino people, as a symbol of our shared commitment to serve the poor,” Aquino said.

The Sovereign Order of Malta maintains an office in Rome and is separate and different from the Republic of Malta. It is a religious order that has diplomatic ties with 105 countries and established full diplomatic relations with the Philippines in 1965. It is focused mainly on spiritual and charitable work, especially for the poor and the sick.

The Office of the Order of Malta Philippines is currently located at 1120 R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila.

“The Order of Malta greatly admires the boundless courage and strength of the population of the Philippines which you have demonstrated throughout your history, including in recent times during the devastating natural catastrophes, which as we know hit this part of the world frequently,” Festing said in his toast during the official lunch hosted by Aquino for him, his delegation and local members of the order.

Festing thanked Aquino for the kindness, generosity, friendship and warm hospitality of the government and the Filipino people, noting the Philippines is an “eloquent example” of how diplomatic ties allowed the Order of Malta to intervene in successful ways in the last few years.

“And, of course, we are very conscious of the terrible series of natural disasters which had hit this part of the world,” Festing said.

“You have strong-willed citizens, a rich cultural heritage and, of course, startling natural beauties here,” he said.

“You’re also driven by your faith and deep human values, which we fully share and you are examples of solidarity and commitment to your communities,” he added.

Festing added they were delighted to bring some hope and be part of post-emergency support, rehabilitation and disaster preparedness.

After Yolanda struck, Festing said they were able to provide assistance within three days together with its local association.

“And if I may say so, the Philippine Association of the Order gives a wonderful example of the efficiency of their cooperation,” Festing said, adding other countries must follow their example.

“I hope that the training we have also been able to initiate has provided effective help; and I am very much again looking forward to learn more about the impact of (Typhoon Ruby) Hagupit which struck the Philippines last December. I hope as a result of some of our interventions that by then, the population was better prepared and I am interested also to hear from His Excellency, the President… the plans to further increase the situation of disaster preparedness,” Festing said. – With Helen Flores