Ireland–Philippines relations
Bilateral relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ireland–Philippines relations are the bilateral relations between Ireland and the Philippines. Ireland has an embassy in Manila.[1] The Philippines once had an embassy in Dublin. However, due to supposed financial and organisational burdens, it was forced to close in 2012. [citation needed] Currently, the Philippine embassy in Ireland are represented via London (United Kingdom), with an honorary consulate based in Dublin.
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 Ireland |
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History
Until comparatively recent times the story of Ireland–Philippines relations was that of a flow of Irish Catholic missionaries to the Philippines.[2] Irish Catholic orders such as the Sisters of Charity founded houses in the Philippines as early as 1862.[3] The Maynooth mission to China was extended to the Philippines in 1929.[4]
In 1984, the two countries established formal diplomatic relations.[5] In the 1980s, the Government of Ireland made representations to the Government of the Philippines concerning the welfare of missionaries in the Philippines.[6] Due to the presence of a strong common dominant faith, the Catholic faith, the Philippines has been described as “a sort of Catholic Ireland located off the coastline of Asia".[7] A strong cultural link between the two countries is that many people in the Philippines have been educated by Irish missionaries.[8] Irish missionary and charitable organisations such as Trócaire were involved in opposition to the First Marcos regime in the Philippines.[9]
Diplomatic missions
The Philippines is represented in Ireland by Antonio M. Lagdameo, non-resident Ambassador of the Philippines, who presented his credentials to President Michael D. Higgins on 19 April 2018.[10]
On 30 May 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo swore in Ariel Abadilla, as the Philippine's first full-time resident ambassador to Ireland.[11]
Ambassador Abadilla presented his letter of credence on 29 June 2009 to the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese at a ceremony held at the State Reception Room of Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park, Dublin.[12]
On 16 July 2012, the Philippine embassy in Ireland was closed and in October 2012 an Honorary Consul was appointed.[13] In November 2021, Ireland reopened its embassy in Manila.[1]
