Nearly 600 guests including dignitaries from the Philippine Government, diplomatic missions, business leaders, and notable figures from the education, arts, sports, health, and civil society sectors attended the reception, which showcased the best of British food, drink, culture, and tradition.
The programme opened with the singing of the British and Philippine national anthems by renowned Filipino performing artist Carla Guevarra Laforteza.
Before the symbolic cutting of cake, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils led the celebratory toast to His Majesty, King Charles III. She stated:
The UK and the Philippines are like-minded countries looking in the same way and pulling in the same direction, with shared values and shared outlook on the world. We believe in freedom, human dignity, the rule of law, democracy, and we believe that international law and the Rules-Based International System are the scaffolding that hold our world together.
The celebration comes at a significant time in UK-Philippine bilateral relations, following the signing of the Joint Framework of Enhanced Partnership earlier this year. This agreement established a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation across political, economic, maritime, science and technology, and climate environment cooperation – reflecting the deepening strategic alignment between the two nations.
Incoming Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Maria Theresa Lazaro remarked:
Our Enhanced Partnership, launched in 2021 and its Joint Framework, signed in March this year, provides great promise to our sectoral cooperation. It allows to deliver respective gains that will further underscore practical cooperation between our agencies and promote our shared values in the region.
The event also commemorated the culmination of Ambassador Beaufils’ posting in the Philippines. She noted:
I know that UK-Philippines relationship will continue to thrive and grow in the years ahead – and while I may no longer be the UK ambassador to the Philippines, I will forever be an ambassador for the Philippines.
The reception which was hosted by Filipino British actress Bela Padilla also featured a parade of waiters, serving signature dishes and drinks from Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines. Musical performances inspired by British West End Musicals by Carla Guevarra Laforteza together with performer Gian Magdangal, and acclaimed Filipino musical director Rony Fortich concluded the formal ceremonies.
This year’s King’s Birthday Party has been organised with the support of the following: San Miguel Corporation; PRU Life UK; BAE Systems; Shell Philippines; VFS; Standard Chartered; Pandiman; HSBC; BPI; BDO; Unilever. And in kind, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines, Diageo, Emperador Distilleries, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Jollibee Foods Corporation with samplings by English Tea Shop, Hattingley Valley and British Chamber of Commerce.
