Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz attended the reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy on Tuesday night in celebration of the country’s Independence Day anniversary.

Prince Turki congratulated embassy officials headed by Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago and Minister and Consul General Marshall Louis M. Alferez, and stressed the two countries’ strong ties. He also indicated that the Philippines has witnessed economic development over the past years.

The embassy will also join the Filipino community to celebrate the occasion on June 12, the day in 1898 when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared the country’s independence in Kawit, Cavite, south of Manila.

Commenting on the reception, Ambassador Tago said, “We were greatly honored by the presence of Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah.

The celebration was simple but meaningful.

It was attended by friends from the business and diplomatic communities.”

Ambassadors Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir of Indonesia, Dato Haji Abd Mokti Mohd. Daud of Brunei Darussalam, Lawrence Anderson of Singapore, Rasim Rzayev of Azerbaijan, Ionnis Christofilis of Greece, Muhammad Naeem Khan, outgoing ambassador of Pakistan, among others dignitaries attended the event.

Ambassador Tago noted that the two countries are strengthening cooperation in various fields and expressed buoyant hopes for the country’s economic development.

The Philippines is registering one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and has been dubbed as an economic miracle.

Prominently displayed on the occasion were posters and brochures on the Philippines, particularly on tourism.

Tourism was previously the country’s second most profitable industry.

Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan Jr. of the Consulate General in Jeddah; Second Secretary and Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal; Labor Attache Rustico SM Dela Fuente of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh); and Labor Attache Alex Padaen of the Eastern Region Office (POLO-ERO) were also present.