The evening’s program began with the playing of the national anthems of Singapore and the Philippines. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin delivered his congratulatory remarks on behalf of the Filipino community and capping the formal ceremonies was a toast between the two envoys participated in by Apostolic Nunciature Archbishop Antonio Franco.
Among the members of the diplomatic corps present were Thai Ambassador Ravee Hongsaprabhas, Cambodian Ambassador Ek Sereywath, Belgian Ambassador Roland Van Remoortele, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Michael Malinowski, Mexican Ambassador Enrique Hubbard and wife Mariana, Myanmar Ambassador U Thin Htun, Chilean Ambassador Carmen Lynam, Peruvian Ambassador Julio Cardenas, Japanese Embassy’s Kono Akira.
Also present were current and former government leaders which included former Senator Letty Shahani, former Trade Secretary Roy Navarro, former DTI Secretary Jose T. Pardo, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon Jr., former Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Jesus Tambunting, former Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Eki Cardenas, former Tourism Secretaries Vince Carlos and Gemma Cruz Araneta, former Senator Kit Tatad, SSS Chairman Corazon de la Paz, former CCP chairman Gloria Angara, Central Bank Governor Rafael Buenaventura and NCCA Chairman Jaime Laya.
Representing Philippine business were Ayala Corporation president Jaime Zobel de Ayala, SGV founding chairman Washington SyCip, RCBC’s vice chairman Alfonso Yuchengco III and wife Marit Meland, Singapore Airlines general manager David Lau, marketing communications and services manager Rita Dy, Globe Telecom chief operating adviser Edward Ying and animation producer Raymond Lacovacci.
Also there were Philippine STAR chairman and publisher Max Soliven and his wife Preciosa, Beth Day Romulo, Guillermo Luchengco, Nellie Bengzon, Agence France Presse’s P. Paramesawaran and his wife, artist/writer Marivic Rufino Buenaventura, Virgie Moreno, Viol Delgado, Ellen Tordesillas, Twink Macaraig and Helen Ong.
Singapore’s National Day was indeed a resounding success if only for the renewed friendships which gloriously confirmed the solid ties between the Singaporeans, Filipinos and the rest of the international community.