The Philippine Embassy in Madrid successfully participated in a two-day cultural exchange program entitled ‘Hispanidad Cordoba de Filipinas’ organized by the Casa de Cordoba in Madrid on November 13-14.
The event highlighted the close historical links between the Philippines and Spain particularly the three places in the Philippines named after Cordoba – one in Cebu and two in Iloilo.
On the first day of the program, Consul General Celia Anna M. Feria delivered a talk on the Los Ultimos de Filipinas, the 33 Spanish soldiers who survived the Siege of Baler almost a year after the end of the Philippine-Spanish War.
In addition to Consul General Feria, three respected Filipino academicians based in Madrid gave lectures on the Sto. Niño of Cebu, Philippine tourism, and Manila from 1571 to 1898.
After the lectures, Madrid-based Filipino concert guitarist Adolfo Timuat serenaded guests with Cordoba-inspired pieces and popular Filipino songs.
On the second day of the program, the Sto. Niño Sinulog dancers, composed of members of the Filipino community in Madrid, performed for the guests of Casa de Cordoba.
Capping the two-day event was a well-attended reception hosted by the Embassy, which featured Filipino food.
Casa de Cordoba is a regional organization that promotes the province of Cordoba through cultural activities such as flamenco classes, cooking demonstrations, music, and choral presentations.
From left to right: Consul General Feria giving a talk on Los Ultimos de Filipinas; members of the Philippine panel who gave lectures at Casa de Cordoba.