At Annual Vin d’ Honneur: PNoy Thanks Other Countries

At the annual Vin d’ Honneur at the Palace on Friday, President Benigno Aquino III raised a toast to all the states and countries who helped the Philippines during calamities especially on super typhoon Yolanda.

During his offered toast, Aquino said “To everyone gathered here, it is with a sincere sense of gratitude that I tell you: the Filipino people remember who their friends are.”

Aquino explained the Filipino trait ‘Utang na loob'(debt of gratitude) where he said Filipinos never forget extended kindness and will look for ways to repay those who helped in difficult times.

“You came to our assistance after Yolanda. By doing so, you opened a new chapter in our relations. The generosity you have shown serves as our firm foundation as we work to expand ever-widening horizons of our relationships,” he said.

Reports said the international aid for Yolanda victims has so far reached P23.8 billion, where P2.8 billion is cash while P20.9 billion is non-cash.

The President in his toast also mentioned the victims of calamities last year and all the Filipinos who helped them overcome the said tragedies. He also cited the Filipinos who helped the victims of Typhoon Pablo, Visayas earthquake and the Zamboanga crisis.

PNoy said many of the reception attendees were the country’s partners not just in “overcoming” one calamity but also in “addressing the challenges that arose in the wake of many others.”

Aquino also commended Filipinos for being able to face Yolanda despite all the other calamities that previously struck the country.

“To all those who suffered but showed a resilience that inspired all of us, may you continue to serve as beacons of hope and strength for everyone,” he said.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto also commended the Filipinos for facing tragedies with “the strength of their character and their faith.”

He also promised that the diplomatic community will help in “rebuilding something that is even better than what was destroyed.”

Pinto also commended Aquino because he “paved the way for local and international solidarity,” citing the signing of the Annex on Power Sharing between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which, Pinto said “gives new hope.”

Vin d’ Honneur (literal French translation: Wine of Honour), is a New Year reception for government officials and heads of diplomatic missions which began during the administration of former President Cory Aquino.

The custom was reportedly derived from the New Year’s Day receptions hosted by the American Governors-General that was ultimately derived from the receptions held by the British Sovereign.

The ceremony’s highlight is the toast between the Head of State or President and the Papal Nuncio, who retains his position as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps due to Hispanic custom.

Source: Gma News Online

Image Credit: www.gmanetwork.com