MAKATI CITY — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia marked its 96th National Day in a grand celebration held at the Rizal Ballroom of Shangri-La Makati on September 23, 2026, bringing together diplomats, government officials, business leaders, and friends of both nations.
Leading the occasion was His Excellency Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of the Philippines, who emphasized the enduring and growing partnership between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.
“Over the past decades, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia have sustained excellent relations through cooperation across many fields — political, economic, investment, cultural, educational, and humanitarian,” Ambassador Al-Ghamdi stated in his address.
He highlighted promising prospects ahead:
“The economic relationship between our two countries holds promising prospects for further growth, particularly in the areas of energy, investment, infrastructure, and logistics.”
The Ambassador also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian assistance through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, which continues to support communities affected by calamities across the Philippines.
“We take great pride in the distinguished level reached by Saudi-Philippine relations, and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts to further strengthen and broaden this partnership in a manner that serves the mutual interests of our two countries and our two friendly peoples,” Al-Ghamdi added.
GUEST OF HONOR RECOGNIZES GROWING COOPERATION
Delivering the response on behalf of the Philippine government was Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who lauded the deepening ties extending into new areas of shared progress.
“In recent years, however, we have expanded into new areas of cooperation that promoted economic advancement and sustainable growth in both our economies — in support of Saudi Vision 2030 and our own AmBisyon Natin 2040 toward the new Philippines or Bagong Pilipinas,” Usec. Herrera-Lim said.
He specifically thanked the Kingdom for its life-saving humanitarian initiatives, including the successful separation of two sets of conjoined twins carried out under the auspices of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
“I am confident that the Philippines and Saudi Arabia will be able to sustain and further strengthen our bilateral relations in the years ahead,” Herrera-Lim affirmed.
Also gracing the event was His Excellency Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, who joined in the ceremonial cake cutting.
The celebration was well-attended by members of the diplomatic corps, government agencies, and the business sector, including:
– South Africa Ambassador H.E. Ms. Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe
– Kuwaiti Ambassador H.E. Meshari Yousef Muhammad Alnibari
– Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino
– Angolan Ambassador H.E. Daniel Antonio Rosa
– Egyptian Deputy Chief of Mission Ahmed Hany
– Omani Deputy Chief of Mission Ateeq Obaid Al Abd Al Yahmadi
– Bahraini Deputy Chief of Mission Abdullah Mohammed Al-Karbabadi
– Guinea Consul Marinella Gonzales and staff Ray Anthony Dela Cruz
– NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim
– DFA Assistant Secretary Indhri Banares
– DTI Halal Program Manager Aleem Guiapal and Halal Division Chief Raison Dimaampao
– Salam Pilipinas Founder Eisa Javier
Maybank Makati Branch Manager Grace Lucas and Maybank Regional Head Central Business District AJ Mallari.
Also welcomed as a valued member of the embassy team was Consul Abdullah Hussein.
The event also recognized the vital role of media in bridging nations. Both www.dzmjonline.net and www.diaryongtagalog.net served as media partners covering the historic occasion.
In a heartwarming moment, www.dzmjonline.net was among the lucky winners of the raffle prize generously sponsored by Riyadh Air, extending an invitation to experience the Kingdom firsthand.
Deepest gratitude was expressed to Ambassador Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, the entire Embassy staff, and Riyadh Air for their warm hospitality, generosity, and continued partnership.
