Renewing Ties with Spain

We are now familiar and proud of the achievements of the Filipino diasporas, who have settled in various parts of the globe and have contributed immensely to the economies and the cultural life of their host countries.

But centuries before our countrymen spread out to the various parts of the globe to work and seek economic advancement, the Basques were already at it, spreading out into other lands and influencing other nations.

Four senators, Frank Drilon, Johnny Flavier, Jun Magsaysay and myself made an official visit to Spain from June27 to July 1 at the invitation of Jose Manuel Barquero, President of the Spanish Senate, who also accompanied us to a visit to the Basque country.

The first leg of the visit covered Seville in the Andalusia, followed by a visit to the capital in Madrid, and to the Basque country.

Ambassador Joseph D.Bernardo and First Secretary Marc de Borja of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid were with us the whole time. Their mastery of Spain's economic, cultural and political environment was of great help.

Some of the most dominant families in Philippine business are of Basque origin. Offhand, I can name three: the Ayalas, the Aboitizes and the Elizaldes. The University of the Nevada press published one book devoted entirely to this topic, 'Basques in the Philippines by Marciano de Borja.

At the premier school, University of the Basque Country, we met with Professor Oscar Alvarez Gila an expert on the Basque diasporas in Latin America.His university's History department, he told us, is now developing a core of young academics with specialization on Philippine Studies.

The Basque country, by the way, was also thehome region of two iconic names in Philippine history - Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta. We visited their hometowns.

In Madrid, we signed a landmark cooperation agreement between the Philippine Senate and the Spanish Senate. We discussed the expansion of trade and investments between the two countries with their top trade and tourism officials. We met with the Secretary General of Instituto Cervantes. The Universidad de Alcala will establish a chair of Philippine Studies, an academic breakthrough.

In Seville, we met with the top people of the CEA or Confederation of Businessmen ofAndalusia. One of the members of the CEA is MAPFRE, a Spanish insurance multinational with offices in the Philippines.

The trip was not all about expanding political and trade ties and rekindling the emotional bond between us and Spain.

We discussed football training too. Football may not be very popular in the Philippines but it is the rage in Spain, most of Europe and throughout the world.

Our countries may be oceans apart but bothhave common ties in history, religion and culture. It would be a great shame if both nations failed to develop this legacy for mutual profit.