AMBASSADOR Steven J. Robinson AO of Australia joined Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin M. Andanar and Manila City Administrator Felix D. Espiritu for a tree-planting activity at the Arroceros Forest Park to mark Philippines-Australia Friendship Day on May 22.
The Friendship Tree caravan is an initiative of the Australia Global Alumni network to plant 750 trees across the country, in celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“I am very pleased to be back here at Arroceros Forest Park with [Secretary Andanar—who is our] outstanding Australia Global Alumni—and with…Administrator Espiritu,” said Robinson. “I visited this park with…Mayor [Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso] in 2019 to hear about the city’s plans for its maintenance and the development of the adjacent area.“
He added, ”Australia offers our support to the mayor and his plans for the sustainable use and conservation of the forest park.”
The envoy commented that, much like the Arroceros Forest Park that has seen changes since the 16th Century, the Philippine-Australian relationship has also evolved and grown over time: “Our friendship with the Philippines stands tall and firm—deeply rooted in history and on our shared values. Just like the trees here in what is now a permanent forest park, I am certain…the Philippine-Australian relationship will further flourish and mature.”
“It is fitting we hold our friendship day activity…in Manila. The embassy’s ties to the city are rooted in history: the first Australian Consulate-General was opened at the Manila Hotel on May 22, 1946—75 years ago…” Robinson relayed. “[Its] chancery was…in Binondo for 20 years: First at the Plaza Cervantes, then later at the iconic El Hogar Filipino Building, and Ayala Building on Juan Luna Street.”
The 2.2-hectare Arroceros Forest Park was declared a permanent forest park in March 2020 by the City of Manila. It is home to about 3,000 species of trees, plants and birds.
Embassy officials, alongside prominent Australia-educated Filipinos, including Col. Ariel Querubin (Ret.) and Education Department Superintendent Dr. Magdalena Lim, planted 100 endemic seedlings at the park.
Get updates on the anniversary by visiting mateshipandbayanihan.com and following @AusAmbPH on Twitter, as well as the Australian Embassy in the Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.