Press Release
August 25, 2010

ANGARA LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DIA DEL GALEON FESTIVAL

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expresses his excitement as the kickoff for theDia del Galeon Festival draws near. The beginning of this cultural celebration will be marked by the opening of the majestic Galeon Andaluciato the public on the 5th of October.

The Andalucia is a modern replica of one of the 17th Century Galleons that traveled across Europe, Asia and the Americas in the 1600s until the early 1700s. The ship was a project conceived and developed by the Fundacion Nao Victoria, named after the first vessel which sailed around the world.

"It's quite an honor to have the Galeon Andalucia as our centerpiece for the Dia del Galeon Festival hosted by the Philippines. The entire celebration is further testament to the renewed connection between the Philippines, Spain, and Latin America," said Angara, author of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act and chairman of the Dia del Galeon Steering Committee.

This festival, which has been received with much interest from the representatives of several different countries, was institutionalized recently by the UNSECO. The Dio del Galeon or the Day of the Galleon will be held every 8th of October to mark the date of the first tornaviaje or return route from the Philippines to America.

"Manila became the most important port in Asia because of the Galleon trade. The galleons didn't just bring us trade and commerce, but also triggered the onset of bio-cultural diversity. This upcoming celebration will rekindle the glory of those days," said Angara.

Currently docked at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, the Galeon Andalusia will arrive in Manila on the October 5. The ship will be staying for 5 days in the port of Manila, and are currently exploring the possibility to proceed to Bohol or Cebu on the 9th.

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