by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 11/03/2011 5:42 PM | Updated as of 11/03/2011 5:42 PM
HOLLAND - A very loud drum roll and three platoons of Royal Palace guards welcomed the arrival of Her Excellency Ambassador Lourdes Morales at the Noordeinde Palace grounds in The Hague.
In all its pomp and glory, Morales stepped down from the horse-drawn royal carriage to enter the gates of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix’s working palace in order to formally present her letter of credence as the new Philippine envoy in The Netherlands.
The ceremony on the palace grounds was colorful and impressive with a special platoon of royal guards as the Philippine national anthem was played first.
This was followed by a general salute given to Morales by the Honor Guard and then the ambassador walked past the three platoons for inspection before finally proceeding to the doorsteps of the palace for the presentation of credentials.
Curious spectators both Dutch and Pinoys filled the barricaded part of the street in order to watch the grand ceremony.
A Filipino couple who was touring Europe was so impressed as it is their first time to watch such a regal event.
“Nanood kami ng pag-courtesy call ng Philippine ambassador sa Queen,” said Nympha Tabo.
“Maganda ang ceremony nila, very colorful,” retired Army General Tabo said.
According to Morales, her mission is to strengthen the economic ties between the Netherlands and the Philippines.
“We would like to further strengthen 'yong relations natin in that area and we would like to see, to further strengthen the presence of the Dutch in the Philippines,” Morales said.
She added that she hopes that she will also gain the full support of her fellow countrymen here in Holland.
“Ang expectation ko is they will be supportive of us and in the same way, they can expect that they can get the same thing from us,” Morales said.
The new ambassador also promised to match, if not to surpass, her predecessors’ very close relations with the Filipino community.
She succeeds Cardozo Luna who left his post.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/11/03/11/new-ph-envoy-presents-credentials-queen-beatrix-holland
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