Philippine Embassy Personnel Commemorates 120th Year Anniversary of the “Siege of Baler”

Ambassador Lhuillier emphasized the importance of understanding history to excel as diplomat.

Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier led the Philippine Embassy personnel in commemorating the 120th years of the Siege of Baler (1898-1899) through a private screening of the 1945 film “Los Ultimos de Filipinas”” at the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid on 20 February 2019.

In his short remarks, the Ambassador emphasized “the importance of understanding our history, our links and ties to enable us to appreciate the importance of work as diplomats in Spain”.  Ambassador Lhuillier also encouraged the Embassy personnel to further their efforts to promote cooperation between the Philippines and Spain.  He called on everyone to be proactive, creative and goal-oriented.  

The “Last of the Philippines” is a Spanish film directed by Antonio Román about the last Spanish garrison in Baler known to history as the Siege of Baler.

Republic Act No. 9187 or the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Bill, which was sponsored by Senator Edgardo Angara, was passed in 2002 to commemorate President Emilio Aguinaldo’s issuance of decree allowing safe passage to Spanish soldiers who had been besieged in Baler. 

The private screening of the film was also part of the Embassy’s Gender and Development and personnel development program.