In the picture Ambassador Ledda’s welcoming speech.
By Anton Lutter.
In his Independence Day’ speech H.E. Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda highlighted the very good relations between the Filipino and Dutch peoples and the governments of the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of the Netherlands which are now on its 68th year since diplomatic relations were established in 1951.
Among the guests who attended this happy occasion where many diplomats, business people and “friends of The Philippines”. The ambassador especially acknowledged the presence of countess Bibi van Zuylen van Nijevelt, grand mistress of the Royal Household and representatives of the Dutch government.
One day earlier the 19th of June The Philippines commemorated the 158th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The ambassador: “When he was based in Brussels, he longed to meet with renowned Asia expert Professor Kern in Leiden University, to learn Dutch “because the Dutch are neighbors and have written much about us”.
“He wrote two novels, the first being the Noli mi Tangere (Touch Me Not) which depicted Philippine society in the 1880s during Spanish colonial period. This was first translated in Dutch in 1926. Now almost a hundred years later, we are very pleased to present an updated Dutch translation of this outstanding novel by Mr. Gerard Arp which we will launch today. Indeed, what better way to connect Philippines history and Philippines – Dutch relations”.
The first exemplar Dutch translation was not only presented to the ambassador but also to the grand mistress of the Royal Household, who was happily surprised to receive this masterpiece of Philippine literature.
Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda also inaugurated in cooperation with Crown Plaza Hotel and Diplomat Magazine, the Philippine Food Festival where one has a chance to experience the many flavors of Philippine’s cuisine to be prepared by two guest chefs Mrs. Maite Hontiveros Dittke and Chef Tani Morabe together with the hotel’s resident chef, Sido de Brabander. This Food Festival will reflect the rich, diverse and colorful history of the country of more than 7000 islands.
Furthermore, the ambassador thanked everyone – including his staff and the Filipino community – who have in their own way helped facilitate the bilateral ties between the Philippines and The Netherlands.
Ambassador Ledda: “Today, I wish to give special mention to the Filipino Community in Sint Maarten. I visited Sint Maarten two weeks ago and I was very impressed with the big progress made after Hurricane Irma (which was stronger actually than Typhoon Yolanda) struck two years ago. Many had an option to be repatriated but they decided to remain. In a modest way, the Filipino community there have been contributing to the reconstruction and rebuilding of Sint Maarten”.
Ending his speech, he honored his wife Gina Ledda who next to all her diplomatic and social commitments, is raising their son, manage the household and at the same time pursuing a PhD in Economics at the ISS Erasmus in The Hague.
