MANILA, Philippines - Ambassador Gilles Garachon invited members of the French community residing in Manila at the Alliance Francaise de Manille to a small gathering to express his gratitude to his countrymen for their participation in the recent visit of the French President to the Philippines. He gave an assurance of François Hollande’s satisfaction with his visit, expressed in his sincere smile as he boarded the government plane that would fly him back to Paris.
Indeed, it was a State Visit, first and foremost, to mark the growing dynamic and warm relations between France and the Philippines and this was possible because of the strong presence of the French business community in the country. His trip was also to launch the Call to Action against Climate Change in Manila. He visited the fishing port of Guiuan to see for himself the destruction caused by Haiyan, and the resilience of the Filipino people in facing challenges brought about by the environment.
Ambassador Garachon, in the same way that President Hollande addressed his fellowmen, thanked French expatriates for choosing to make the Philippines their home, and encouraged them to stay united in promoting the French values of freedom, equality and brotherhood in the country. Photos by JOEY VIDUYA