Celebration of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey

Today marks the 93rd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.

Last night at 6:30, October 27, I had a privilege to attend the celebration of Turkey’s anniversary in Fairmont Hotel in Makati. I felt so blessed to meet the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to the Philippines, Her Excellency Ezra Cankorur, as seen in this photo.

I was very happy to know that Turkey was the first country to help us during the Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Turkey is one of our top wheat flour suppliers. Ms. Cankorur added in her speech, "Currently, my homeland accommodates more than 3 million Syrian refugees".

Footages of world-class Turkish tourist spots were shown on the large LED screens, while the guests indulged on palatable cuisine that made this beautiful country truly unique. Known in the ancient world as Anatolia, Turkey is the only country that is both situated in Asia and Europe. So what can you expect from the culture, food, and experience it offers?

          Rumi, a famous Persian poet, lived the latter part of his life in Turkey. I love Rumi for his LOVE quotes and his controversial love life. One of his quotes was, "In your light, I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art".

I was not feeling well during the whole day yesterday maybe because my body was still adjusting to my CrossFit training, plus the stress of commuting to and from work and doing some errands. But immersing in everything that was Turkey, in the company of some of our previous government leaders (including a former Philippine president and a previous House speaker), ambassadors, and expats had made me feel well and grateful for given the opportunities to attend diplomatic and consular affairs for many years now.

Hence, I will continue devoting “myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is with developing in each of us sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference, and appreciate diversity”. Pahiram muna Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa ng speech mo ha (Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, I’ll just borrow your speech.)

I’m Venezuelan Pinoy, but in my heart, I’m always a citizen of the world.

Teşekkür ederim ve Yaşasın Türkiye (Thank you and Mabuhay Turkey)!