Photo By: PIA-Aurora
BALER, Aurora – Government officials from the Philippines and Spain on Monday June 29, 2026 led the commemoration of the 24th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in Baler, Aurora, reaffirming the longstanding friendship and shared history between the two nations.
The ceremony was led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, and other national and local government officials.
Held in the historic town of Baler, the annual observance paid tribute to the enduring relationship between the Philippines and Spain, drawing inspiration from the historic Siege of Baler, a landmark event that has become a symbol of courage, reconciliation, and mutual respect.
Officials highlighted the importance of preserving the shared historical legacy of the two countries while promoting stronger cooperation in areas such as education, culture, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
The commemoration underscored the shared values of peace, reconciliation, cooperation, and mutual understanding that continue to deepen diplomatic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Spain more than a century after the events in Baler.
Observed every June 30 under Republic Act No. 9187, Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day celebrates the spirit of friendship that emerged after the Philippine Revolution and recognizes the lasting partnership between the two nations. (PIA-Aurora)