Over 33 foreign ambassadors and diplomats, along with business leaders, representatives from foreign chambers, and media practitioners, gathered on Thursday at Hotel Okura Manila for THEPHILBIZNEWS’s exclusive Embassy Night – Year 4.
The event was a vibrant celebration of international partnerships, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding, with diplomats from a diverse range of countries in attendance. The evening fostered meaningful exchanges and discussions aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ diplomatic and economic relations globally.
Monsi Serrano, founder and publisher of The Philippine Business and News (THEPHILBIZNEWS), delivered a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude to the distinguished guests and emphasizing the importance of fostering relationships between the Philippines and the global community.
“It is truly an honor to welcome you all to this year’s Embassy Night. Since its inception, this event has served as a bridge, connecting diplomats and industry leaders to collaborate and cultivate meaningful partnerships. Tonight, we celebrate the friendships and partnerships that continue to drive progress and cooperation between our nations,” he said.
Serrano also recognized the invaluable support of Hotel Okura Manila, whose hospitality has made Embassy Night an unforgettable experience for attendees over the past three years. He went on to highlight THEPHILBIZNEWS’ major projects for 2025, including the launch of its book The Philippine Business and News: Lessons from the Pandemic, a documentary on Ukrainian schoolchildren affected by war, and the debut of its Entrepreneurs’ Night.
This year’s limited-edition mug, a treasured gift for all attendees, was designed by Master Watercolor Artist Rafael “Popoy” Cusi. The artwork, Labuyo, depicts the rare and intricate red junglefowl, symbolizing agility, power, and freedom, while advocating for wildlife conservation. Cusi’s work celebrates the beauty of Filipino life and the importance of preserving the nation’s natural heritage.
His Excellency Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, gave the invocation.
Ambassadors who spoke at the event included:
- H.E. Răduţa Dana Matache (Romania)
- H.E. Marielle Geraedts (The Netherlands)
- H.E. Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin (Denmark)
- H.E. Dr. Nicolas Brühl (Switzerland)
- H.E. Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura (Brazil)
- H.E. Kazuya Endo (Japan)
- H.E. Saija Nurminen (Finland)
- H.E. Anna Ferry (Sweden)
- Ambassador Wallace Chow (Taiwan)
Also in attendance were:
- H.E. Emma Hickey (Ireland)
- H.E. Karel Hejč (Czech Republic)
- H.E. Massimo Santoro (European Union)
- H.E. Ilan Fluss (Israel)
- H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino (Malaysia)
- H.E. Mohammed Rida El Fassi (Morocco)
- H.E. Dr. Catherine McIntosh (New Zealand)
- H.E. Niyazi Akyol (Turkey)
- H.E. Yuliia Fediv (Ukraine)
- HMA Laure Beaufils (United Kingdom)
Other embassies were represented by officials from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and Austria.
Embassy Night has proven to be an essential platform for diplomatic discourse, celebrating international unity and further solidifying the Philippines’ role as a vital partner in the global arena.
Serrano expressed his excitement about continuing THEPHILBIZNEWS’s role in fostering strong diplomatic and economic ties, contributing to a more connected and collaborative world.