ANGARA LEADS CELEBRATION TO COMMEMORATE THE GALLEON TRADE

Senator Edgardo J. Angara marks another tribute to history and culture through Dia del Galeón, which highlights important aspects of the Galleon

expeditions and brings together Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

"The historic Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade marked the beginnings of globalization. Scholars agree that the first real global trade dates here, forming the first direct and permanent trade link between Asia and Europe and the Americas. This makes Manila the birthplace of globalization," he said.

UNESCO recently passed a resolution to institutionalize the Dia del Galeón every 8th of October, which marks the date when the galleons found the first return route or "tornaviaje" from the Philippines to America.

"With the Galleon trade, the world became a global village and Manila became the most important port in Asia. It gave us a place in world history like no other economic feature of the country," said Angara.

Key initiatives in the areas of history, culture, education, language, sports and labor and migration will be undertaken for continued dynamism, cooperation and genuine action, forging deeper relations among the countries involved.

"History links us not just to Spain but also to Mexico and Latin-American countries. After successfully rekindling our relations with Spain through the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act which I authored, and the many cooperation initiatives that followed, it is high time that we renew our ties with Mexico and the other Latin American nations," said Angara.

The history of the galleon trade roots us back to the 16th century. Explorer and astronomist Fray Andres de Urdaneta discovered the return route from the Philippines to America. His discovery proved that the world could be navigated in two directions.

While the galleon trade opened the gates to commercial globalization, it transcended mere mercantile motives; it opened the gates to celebrate bio-cultural diversity.

"We should resurrect our long and fruitful ties with the Ibero-American countries which the galleon trade had forged. Our 16th century relations with these countries brought trade, investment, agriculture and the enrichment of our culture and language. It would be to our great cultural and economic benefit if we return to our roots and reunite ourselves with the Ibero-American bloc," said Angara.

The Dia del Galeón Committee, chaired by Senator Angara, has mounted a series of activities, leading to October 8 and beyond.