MEXICO'S FIRST LADY TO BE HONORED IN CULTURAL GALA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Senator Franklin M. Drilon and select Cabinet Secretaries are set to launch commemorative Dia del Galeon (Day of the Galleon) stamps in time for the visit of Madame Margarita Zavala, spouse of President Felipe Calderon of the United Mexican States.

The commemorative stamps produced by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), headed by Postmaster General Josefina dela Cruz, will be launched in a Cultural Gala in honor of Madame Zavala on Thursday, November 24.

In turn, Amb. Tomas Calvillo Unna of Mexico will present commemorative Dia del Galeon lottery tickets to the Philippine officials.

DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro, DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima and DOH Sec. Enrique Ona are co-hosts to the event while DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario and DSWD Sec. Corazon Soliman are guest speakers.

Senator Loren Legarda, Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Rep. Acmad Tomawis, DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson, DTI Sec. Gregory Domingo, DOST Sec. Mario Montejo, NEDA Dir. Gen. Cayetano Paderanga, Jr., Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista are also expected to grace the occasion. Leaders from the business and cultural communities will also be in attendance.

Meanwhile, the cultural gala will be marked with musical performances featuring the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Shirley Halili-Cruz Ballet Company, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, singer Lara Maigue, tenor Ronan Ferrer, pianist Jason Ros and New York-based soprano Katrina Saporsantos.

Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 12 which seeks to declare October 8 of every year as a special working holiday to commemorate Dia del Galeon, in line with a resolution passed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in their General Conference in 2009.

"The Dia del Galeon is a celebration of the central role that Manila played in world commerce during the Galleon Trade," explained the veteran lawmaker. "We served as the hub connecting almost 40 nation-states in four different continents. Manila was Europe's gateway to Asia."

According to Angara, the Dia del Galeon is a celebration of the shared history of the Philippines and Mexico, made possible through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. It is also an effort that signifies the Philippines' desire to revive bilateral ties with Ibero-American countries.

"We are very honored to have Madame Margarita Zavala with us as we launch the stamps. Her visit is an opportunity for greater dialogue in public policy and socio-civic involvement."

Madame Zavala served as a member of the Mexican Congress prior to her husband's election as President. Her areas of advocacy include education, health, and upholding the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities.