Angara designated as Unión Latina representatives of Phl
By Jason de Asis

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, December 4, 2010-Senator Edgardo J. Angara was confirmed yesterday by Secretary General of Unión Latina Jose Luis Dicenta as the official representative of the organization in the country.

The organization is composed of 37 members from different countries of the “neolatina” languages wherein the Philippines entered in the Unión Latina in 1985 when Spanish was still the official language.
 
With the reintegration of Spanish language teaching in high school curriculum today, the Union Latina anticipates to see renewed interest in the language and culture of Spain and Latin America.

Prior to this, Angara spearheaded the celebration of the Dia del Galeón, which highlighted important aspects of the Galleon expeditions and brought together Asia, Europe, and Latin America last October this year.

Angara said that history links the Philippines not only to Spain but also to Mexico and Latin-American countries, adding that after successfully rekindling the relations with Spain through Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act which he authored.

Every October 8 the Dia del Galeón is celebrated which marks the galleon founds return route or “tornaviaje from the Philippines to America. The Galleon trade gave the Philippines a place in world history like no other economic feature wherein Manila became the most important port in Asia and became global village.

The Senator said that a continued dynamism, cooperation and genuine action, forging deeper relations among the countries involved should be undertaken as key initiatives in the areas of history, culture, education, language, sports and labor and migration.
 
“This is the right time to renew the country’s ties with Mexico and other Latin American nations,” Angara ended. (Jason de Asis)