GOVPH

Macario Vitalis: Focus of Embassy 2022 Independence Day Celebration

01 June 2022, Paris – The Philippine Embassy in France celebrated the 124TH Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the 75th Anniversary of PH-FR Relations and the closure of the exhibit “Macario Vitalis, Un Peintre Philippin en France (a Filipino Painter in France) at the Maison de Lorilleux in the Paris suburb of Puteaux.

The event was co-hosted by the City of Puteaux, a western suburb that forms part of the La Defense business district of Paris. Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud led the Puteaux team in the event.

In her message HE Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West cited Macario Vitalis as a prime example of what people-to-people exchanges could achieve in strengthening bilateral relations.

The Ambassador also noted that, like Vitalis, Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was also attracted to France, as Rizal was “inspired by the ideals of the French revolution during his visits from 1883 to 1891” in his two novels that spurred Filipinos to secure their own freedom.

Mayor Ceccaldi-Raynaud commended the “wonderful partnership between the Embassy and the City of Puteaux” and gave tribute to the talent of Vitalis whose work is receiving increasing recognition among art cognoscenti.  Vitalis’ art was honed when he settled in Puteaux then later Plestin-les-Greves in Brittany, imbibing cubist, impressionist and pointillist influences.

After the messages, guests were serenaded in French, English and Filipino. The group is composed of seasoned and awarded Filipino performers and musicians who are currently based in France.  Guests also sampled Filipino delicacies seamlessly incorporated into more standard French hors d'oeuvres.

The event was held outside the Maison Lorilleux where the Vitalis exhibit will be open until 5 June 2022. END

*All photos by Jan Levent

^{HE Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West (second from left) and Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud (third from left) and Ms. Christine Thoraillier, curator of the Macario Vitalis exhibit with guests.}

^{HE Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West and Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud during the singing of the French National Anthem}

^{Performers with HE Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West (4th from left), from left to right: autodidact musician, Paulo Arson; award-winning classical guitarist Franco Maigue; violinist of the Ransom Collective, Muri; seasoned international performers Charley Magalit and Dennis Astorga.} 

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PH Ambassador Mahilum-West presents Credentials to His Serene Highness Albert II, Prince of Monaco

^{Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West (left) and HSH Albert II Prince of Monaco}

MONACO-27 April 2022—Philippine non-resident Ambassador to the Principality of Monaco Junever M. Mahilum-West presented her credentials to His Serene Highness Albert II Prince of Monaco on 26 April 2022.

Ambassador Mahilum-West conveyed the good wishes of President Rodrigo Duterte to HSH and the people of the Principality of Monaco. She expressed the hope for enhanced relations, including enhanced relations under the 2016 Framework Agreement for Bilateral Cooperation between the Philippines and Monaco, especially in the context of recovery from the pandemic and strengthening of health systems.

Ambassador West also expressed appreciation for HSH’s support of environmental protection and promotion of scientific research, particularly HSH’s patronage for the continued conservation of the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Considering HSH’s interest in sustainable development, maritime cooperation, and biodiversity, Ambassador Mahilum-West encouraged further exploration and expansion of possible programs under the 2016 Framework Agreement.  Ambassador Mahilum-West extended an invitation for HSH to visit the Philippines again at an opportune time.

^{PH Consul General, a.h. to Monaco David Zuellig (leftmost), Minister Counselor Isabelle Berro-Amadei (center) and Ambassador Mahilum-West (rightmost)}

During her visit to Monaco, Ambassador Mahilum-West joined the Ambassadors of Bulgaria, Norway and Timor Leste who also presented their credentials on the same date at a luncheon hosted by Minister Counselor for External Relations and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadei and other Monegasque officials.

^{Ambassador Mahilum-West and Consul General Zuellig cut the red-ribbon during the official inauguration.}

In the afternoon, Ambassador Mahilum-West formally inaugurated the new office of the Philippine Consulate-General located at Domaine de Roqueville, 20 boulevard Princesse Charlotte, 98000 Monaco. Consul-General ad honorem David Zuellig and Madame Hazel Zuellig invited various Monegasque and consular corps officials and the leaders of the Filipino community to the blessing of the consular premises, which was followed by a reception featuring Filipino dishes.  

^{Mr. John West (leftmost), Mr. Marc Lecourt, President of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Monaco and Honorary Consul General of Slovenia (2nd from left), Ambassador Mahilum-West, Consul-General Zuellig, Dr. Hazel Zuellig (2nd from right), and Paris PE Deputy Chief of Mission Aileen S. Mendiola-Rau}

^{Ambassador Mahilum-West and Consul General Zuellig meet with leaders of the Filipino Community in Monaco and southern France.}

Ambassador Mahilum-West assured the Filipino community that the Philippine Embassy in Paris, in close coordination with Consul General  a.h. David Zuellig, is always ready to assist the approximately 180 Filipino nationals in Monaco. END