- Presentation of Credentials
- Ms. Earth España
- Mass Offering for former President Cory Aquino
- Elcano Landing
- Philippine Nurses in Bilbao
- Donation of the Image of Our Lady of Fatima
- The Philippines in ABC & La Vanguardia
AT THE LANDING OF ELCANO RE-ENACTMENT
Ambassador Ana I. de Sequera-Ugarte, Philippine envoy to Spain, was a special guest at the “Landing of Elcano” Re-enactment (Desembarco de Elcano) in the scenic coastal town of Getaria in the Basque Country last 7 August. It was the first time that the Philippine Embassy in Madrid participated in the famous event through the invitation of Getaria Mayor Andoni Aristi. During the visit to Getaria, Ambassador De Sequera- Ugarte led a delegation composed of Consul Marciano R. de Borja, Ms. Pia Ugarte, confidential secretary to the ambassador, and Andoni de Irala, Philippine honorary consul general in Bilbao.
Getaria is the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano. Elcano joined the Magellan Expedition to the Philippines in 1521 and took over the command of the expedition when Magellan was killed in Mactan. Elcano successfully piloted the ship Victoria back to Spain on 6 September 1522, three years after the expedition left the port of San Lucar de Barrameda in Cadiz. Out of the original 265 crew, only 18 survived the journey. Elcano went down in history as the first circumnavigator of the globe.
The re-enactment of the historic Landing of Elcano is held every four years. This year’s celebration was more special since it also coincided with the 800th anniversary of the foundation of Getaria. The ceremony includes the arrival at the Getaria port of a replica of the ship Victoria and the landing of Elcano and 17 other survivors performed by Basque actors. There was a colorful procession towards the church of San Salvador and then to the town plaza with all the participants dressed in 16th century-style costumes.
Prominent officials from the province of Guipuzcoa and the Central Basque Government such as Governor Markel Olano, Jon Azkue, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Fishery and the Getaria town council members were also present in the ceremony.
