Ten Longest-Staying Filipinos in Spain and Andorra were honored by the Philippine Embassy in Madrid on 20 September 2026 at Casa Filipinas en Madrid, in recognition of their enduring contributions to the Filipino community and the ties between the Philippines and Spain.
The Gawad Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier Para sa Sampung (10) Pinakamatagal na Pilipino sa Spain at Andorra (Gawad APJL) was held as part of the Embassy’s commemoration of the 79th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Spain.
Under the theme, “Honoring the Pioneers. Celebrating a Legacy. Inspiring Future Generations,” the ceremony paid tribute to Filipinos who came to Spain and Andorra decades ago, when migration was far more challenging and opportunities were limited.
The ten honorees have lived in Spain and Andorra for periods ranging from 32 years to more than 51 years, with the earliest arrival dating back to 1975.
For these pioneers, the journey was about much more than finding work abroad. It meant adapting to unfamiliar languages and cultures, overcoming economic uncertainty, raising families far from home, and building new lives while remaining connected to their Filipino identity.
In his message, Philippine Ambassador to Spain and Andorra H.E. Philippe J. Lhuillier described the awardees as more than long-standing members of the Filipino community. “Your sacrifices built the path we walk today. Your legacy will guide the generations that follow.” Ambassador Lhuillier said the Embassy was honoring not simply the number of years the awardees had spent abroad, but the stories behind those years. “Today, we do more than give awards—we honor stories.”
He recognized their perseverance, hard work, family values and service to others, noting that their lives had helped shape the positive reputation of Filipinos in Spain and Andorra. “You are among those who helped make our community what it is today.”
The Ambassador also described the honorees as “living bridges between our peoples,” highlighting their role in strengthening the people-to-people ties that form an important part of Philippine-Spanish relations.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Mark Francis C. Hamoy placed the achievement in perspective: collectively, the ten honorees represent 423 years of life in Spain and Andorra. But behind that number, he emphasized, are decades of experiences that cannot be captured by statistics alone.
The 423 years, he noted, carry stories of loneliness, challenges, happy memories, sacrifices, hard work and homesickness—experiences shared by generations of Filipinos who built lives away from the Philippines.
The Embassy emphasized that the Gawad APJL is therefore more than an awards ceremony. It is an effort to preserve the history of the Filipino diaspora and ensure that the experiences of its pioneers are remembered by succeeding generations.
The awardees embody values deeply associated with the Filipino experience overseas—sipag, tiyaga, katatagan, malasakit, bayanihan and pagmamahal sa pamilya.
Their journeys also reflect the evolution of the Filipino community in Spain and Andorra, from earlier generations of migrants navigating unfamiliar surroundings to today’s increasingly established and diverse Filipino community.
From pioneers to the next generation
The Gawad APJL was initiated by Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier in 2018 to recognize Filipinos who have spent many decades in Spain and Andorra and whose lives and contributions have helped shape the community.
The 2026 edition is particularly significant as the Embassy prepares for the 80th Anniversary of Philippine-Spanish Diplomatic Relations in 2027. The Embassy intends for the Gawad APJL to form part of its continuing efforts to preserve Filipino heritage, strengthen community identity and celebrate the enduring people-to-people bonds between the Philippines and Spain.
The ten honorees are:
• Ms. Leticia Vilvar Sareño, 51 years
• Ms.Perla Lagasca Esteban, 47 years
• Ms. Cerelina Delmendo Navarro, 46 years
• Ms. Patricia Pera Pera,46 years
• Ms.Adelaida Japson Lobo,43 years
• Ms. Wenny Gauran Solano, 42 years
• Ms. Violeta Abutin Manalo, 41 years
• Ms. Evelyn Denus Quiamas, 41 years
• Mr. Fortunato Segundo Desiar, 34 years
• Ms.Erlinda Ramos Koo, 32 years
Together, their journeys tell a larger story: that of Filipinos who crossed borders in search of opportunity, endured separation and uncertainty, built families and communities, and contributed quietly but significantly to their adopted homes.
As the Philippines and Spain look toward 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, the Embassy underscored that bilateral friendship is not measured only through agreements and official engagements, but also through the lives of people who have built bridges between the two countries.
The Gawad APJL celebrates those who came before, preserves the stories they leave behind, and challenges the next generation to carry that legacy forward.
