By Recto L. Mercene and Joyce R. Rocamora, PNA
AMBASSADOR Gerard Ho (Wei Hong) enthusiastically greeted a large gathering of guests at the recent local reception of the 54th National Day of the Republic of Singapore.
Ho began his short but meaningful speech after the spirits of those in attendance were roused by the remarkable renditions of the national anthems of the Philippines and that of the “Lion City,” “Majulah Singapura”(Onward Singapore).
The newly installed envoy of the city-state, in his opening remarks, stated that, “It has been a wonderful four months. I have been very lucky to experience the incredible kindness, hospitality and friendship [of the Filipinos]—not just to myself, but to my countrymen.”
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to the Philippines for showing what great hospitality is,” Ho imparted.
The diplomat revealed that this is a special year for his country, as it also commemorates the 200th year—the bicentennial—of the founding of “modern Singapore.”
He also cited the 50th year of the establishment of Philippine-Singaporean diplomatic relations that began in 1969.
The Singaporean envoy then pointed to an extensive photo exhibit that depicted the milestones of the “strong support and friendship” with the Philippines, when his country was in its nascent stages.
For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. said the Philippines will continue to fortify its bilateral relations with Singapore.
Locsin conveyed Duterte’s warmest greetings to the government and people of the island state for the annual celebration of their independence on August 9.
“We are filled with renewed inspiration to continue our work of forging ever-stronger ties with the most efficient state in the world—one that started with almost nothing, except for a surfeit of leadership material far more than the rest of Asia combined,” Locsin said.
“It is my honor to celebrate with you the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-Singapore diplomatic relations. Since 1969, our countries have never wavered in our deep friendship and fruitful cooperation, through good and challenging times,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chief said.
The secretary also praised Singapore’s success in its sustainable development, and noted that the ultraprogressive country “represents the very vision and aspiration of many nations.”
“[A] time lapse of Singapore would be awe-inspiring: From its origin as coastal settlements, to its magnificent skyline, [and] the remarkable expanse of green urban spaces today… and so it became what it is today, the embodied Asian vision of what a country should be,” he said.
“Singapore harnessed its strengths, which were weaknesses elsewhere,” Locsin added.
‘Lion City’
LOCSIN heaped praises on the Lion City, as he said, “Singapore is every thinking and hardworking man and woman’s Shangri-La; every Asian’s ‘city on a hill’—what Boston [in Massachusetts, United States,] was long ago. It is a paragon of flawless modernity, innovation, and efficiency—nothing was wasted or misspent on it.”
The foreign affairs secretary said contemporary Singapore represents the very vision and aspiration of many nations: “Prosperity for all who work for it; yet, cares too for those who can’t; and all built on honest, superintelligent, determined and visionary leadership; and the instilled—not inborn—discipline of its multiethnic population.”
“Nope, race theory doesn’t work there,” he declared.
Locsin remembered an early visit to set up a branch of a law firm there. Changi Airport, he recalled, was but “a string of barracks and manned by little muscled men in blue with submachine guns slung over their necks.”
“Yet,” the secretary added, “it was already the worst-kept secret: Changi is the best airport in the world, because it worked better than any other, far more splendid airport.”
He said the foremost aerodrome in the world was built “as pure icing on the cake of total efficiency.”
When invited to speak during the opening of Alkaff Bridge at Robertson Quay, painted in 55 colors using 900 liters of paint by the late Pacita Abad of the Philippines, Locsin told Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan: “It’s a happy bridge.”
Size is nothing
DESPITE protestations from Singaporean officials that their country will always be small, “Size has nothing to do with it,” Locsin retorted. “For, if big countries were reduced to small fractions of what they are, I doubt they’d become Singapore.”
He said the country, which used to be a mining site for tin, “worked contrary to pure free enterprise doctrine.”
“What is now taught as Chaos Theory is proven time and again in every great capitalist society, which is always on the brink of falling to pieces,” but not Singapore.
More praises were offered by the secretary: “Singapore harnessed its strengths, which were weaknesses elsewhere: the wide diversity of its people, the poverty and deprivation of their origin in Malay tin mining for the most part and the animosity of near neighbors.”
However, their hardworking officials “used what a lot of countries have: a strategic location at the crossroads of giant oceans, and a myriad of small seas.”
Despite Singapore’s location that is too far from the Great Pacific, other Southeast Asian countries actually have far better geographical advantages—“but to not much avail,” Locsin opined.
The Philippines’s top diplomat then offered a toast on behalf of President Duterte: “To the good health of His Excellency, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; and Her Excellency, President Halimah Yacob; to the happiness of the peoples of the Philippines and Singapore; and to our enduring friendship and partnership.”
SCS issue: Beyond our lifetime
MEANWHILE, Locsin said he shares the observation of Balakrishnan, that “all the conflicting claims in the South China Sea will not be resolved [in our lifetime].”
The DFA chief agreed and added: “As we turn our eyes to the next half century and beyond, allow me to convey the vision of Balakrishnan, which I share with as much optimism: The attachments of each people to their ideas of what they are entitled to are too strong, and will not weaken with time.”
The country’s top diplomat averred that while it would take time before the issue can be resolved, the Philippines would push for stability in the region.
The Singaporean minister, on the other hand, told him: “Nothing will stand in the way of limitless progress, prosperity, and I dare say, peace for our region.”
Image credits: Jimbo Albano, PCOO/PNA