In celebration of the Europe Day, the EU Delegation to the Philippines invited Mahintana Foundation to grace the said occasion along with other EU partner organization and beneficiaries on May 9, 2018 at Dusit Thani Manila, Philippines. Mahintana, represented by its President and CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot along with his staff Ms. Wilma C. Jumilla, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, and Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker attended the event. The night served as an avenue to meet people of diverse backgrounds and of different organizations. It was an opportunity for the staff to get to know other EU partners and establish linkages as it was participated by national government officials, EU representatives, and active civic society organizations.
The event is a celebration of the long partnership of EU and the Philippines dubbed as Viva Europa 2018, a socializing activity highlighting the shared culture and values of Europeans and the Filipinos. “Europe is about values, literature, music, art, political ideas, sciences, equality, about giving friends around the world the opportunities to create happier, better, more joyful lives for themselves and the generation to come,” EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said during his welcome speech at the reception. Mr. Manuel Teehankee, the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary of the Philippines led the toast of the celebration. An Award of Distinction was also given to Mr. F. Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature, for strengthening cultural links of EU and the country.
