For Ambassador Karel Hejč, the event was not just about history and politics, but about the everyday bonds that bring Czechs and Filipinos closer together.

Hejč opened with an unexpected cheer: the Czech national volleyball team’s remarkable run at the World Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted in Manila, where the squad finished fourth — its best result since 1999.

“Our small yet mighty Czech community came together in support here in Manila,” he said. “It is sporting moments like these that bring our nations closer through shared pride, hospitality, and mutual respect.”

Culture also played a starring role in his speech, as he highlighted the Bicol audiobook release of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis and the screening of a Czech film at Cine Europa in Tacloban.

“When I saw how the local audience interacted with the story, cheered for the main characters, and shared their sorrow and joy, I realized I will never watch another movie the same way again,” he admitted, drawing warm applause.

The Ambassador also took a moment to honor the Czech community in the Philippines, calling each expat “an ambassador in their own right” who helps shape how Filipinos view his homeland.

He affectionately thanked them for their pride, energy, and support, especially during the volleyball tournament.

Closing on a personal note, Hejč dedicated part of his remarks to his wife Michelle.

“She walks side by side with me and is my support and my shoulder at any given moment. I love you, wherever you are,” he said, adding a touching layer of humanity to the evening.

As glasses clinked and guests mingled, it became clear that Czech-Philippine friendship is no longer just about diplomacy. It is alive in cheering for sports, in the stories shared through literature and cinema, and in the everyday connections between people.

“It is moments like these,” the envoy said, “that give us the energy to move forward together.” V. Uy