BRIDGING PHILIPPINE-MOROCCAN RELATIONS THROUGH CULTURE:
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED WITH A CONCERT AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

19 June 2023 – As part of its commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Rabat, through the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, organized on 14 June 2023 an Independence day concert featuring The Nightingales, a Filipino soprano duo, and an exhibit by Moroccan artist and photographer, Mr. Mohamed Tazi, at the Bibliothèque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc (National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco).

H.E. Mme. Ghita Mezzour, Minister-Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, was the guest of honor, with other guests coming from the Moroccan government, members of the diplomatic corps and international organizations in Rabat, private institutions and organizations in Morocco, representatives from various local media outlets, and Filipino community leaders.

Ambassador Baja with Minister Mezzour and Mr. Tazi

Artist and photographer Mr. Mohamed Tazi with Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie J. Baja

The exhibit featured fifteen (15) photos of Philippine landscape and scenery

The exhibit featured fifteen (15) of Mr. Tazi’s personal collection of photographs of natural landscape and scenery, people and culture, and unique activities and experiences in the Philippines from his recent trip to the country in January 2023. Prior to this, Mr Tazi has visited the Philippines at least three times.

Mr. Tazi is a multi award winning photographer, artist, and entrepreneur whose photographs were published in magazines and newspapers such as National Geographic, Forbes, Daily Mail, The Sun, Photography Week, Wild Planet, Insider and Arab News.

The concert began with the singing of the Moroccan and Philippine national anthems by The Nightingales, followed by the remarks of Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, where he noted how the Philippines utilizes cultural diplomacy as a soft power “to strengthen relations and foster mutual understanding with our friends and partners..” and how intercultural cooperation and interfaith dialogue can enhance cooperation in an increasingly competitive environment, fostering shared values and in the process winning hearts and minds.” He also highlighted Morocco’s “tolerant yet traditional culture with strong values” and how it has become an “outstanding model of cultural coexistence and interaction between religions.”

The Nightingales – combining the beautiful voices of Bernadette Mamauag and Katrina Marie Saga

After the Ambassador’s remarks, The Nightingales serenaded the guests with their renditions of Salam (Peace), Philippine Folk Songs Medley, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Flight of the Nightingales, Habanera, Yanni’s Aria, Hymn a l’Amour, As Time Goes By (theme song from the movie Casablanca), Runaway, and Paraiso.

The concert was well-received by the nearly 300 guests, who were impressed by the vocal technique exuded by the artists, as well as the vibrant and distinct sound of Philippine folk songs. This was the first major concert held by the Embassy since it reopened in 2020. Philippine-Moroccan diplomatic relations will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. END