ROYALTY graced the country last July 2 to 6 as Queen Sofia of Spain visited various parts of the Philippines. The official trip of the Queen of Spain was named Viaje de Cooperación de Su Majestad la Reina a la República de Filipinas (Travel Cooperation of Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic of the Philippines).
As a member of the Royal Household of His Majesty the King, Queen Sofia came in to check the progress of development projects funded by the Spanish government here in the Philippines. This was the sixth visit of the Queen. And she has been frequent visitor, her first one way back in 1962 with King Juan Carlos with return trips in 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2003.
Besides her official and institutional engagements, the Queen is also involved in social and welfare activities. She heads her own foundation, also bearing her namesake. Her 5-day visit in the country saw her overlooking the different projects funded by the Spanish government in places like Manila, Albay, and Zamboanga.
It is interesting to note that Spain has been a generous aid-provider to the Philippines with Manila receiving nearly 29 million Euros in grants and loans back in 2011.
According to Queen Sofia, the Spanish government will continue to treat the Philippines as a sister country so this illuminates the outpouring of support. She also reiterated the importance of reintroducing the Spanish language in the Philippine curriculum. As a major language of the world, Spanish will open up many doors to Filipinos. It can also bridge us to our history circa the Spanish era, enabling us to go directly and process what our heroes like Jose Rizal wrote without the translations.
To look back into the past of Filipino-Spanish relations using gloomy filters will only result into a recollection of our hardships and sacrifices. The fruit will only taste bitter, maybe rotten, if we don’t turn our heads to the present. To accept with genuine gratitude will help us on our way to recovery and coming into terms with our history.
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