What's On & Expat - Philippines

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on the 14th of July each year. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on the 14th of July in 1789, the event that led to the historic French Revolution that inspired popular struggles for freedom in many other countries all over the world. The French Embassy in Manila played host to the vibrant celebration here in the Philippines. Nearly a thousand well-wishers flocked to the Sofitel Philippine Plaza to congratulate French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel and Mme. Ning Chesnel. Friends from the Filipino community and the diplomatic corps were in attendance for the celebration at the Sofitel’s Harbor Garden Tent which was decorated in a glamorous Moulin Rouge theme with an abundance of French food, wine and champagne. Amb. Chesnel formally welcomed the audience with a speech and a toast to the friendship between France and the Philippines with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin and acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Argentine Ambassador Mario Schuff. The Philippines has close cultural and economic relations with France and the year 2007 marks the 60th anniversary of Philippines-France Diplomatic Relations. What’s On & Expat congratulates the government and people of France led by H.E., President Nicolas Sarkozy, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by Ambassador Gerard Chesnel, on the occasion of Bastille Day.