bahrainthismonth.com | JUNE 2026 INTERVIEW 49 As Bahrain This Month marks the Philippines’ National Day with this June edition, what does June 12 mean to you personally? For me, June 12 marks the birth of the Filipino nation. It is a clear reference point in the struggle to establish an independent nation and a national identity. The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands. We have a diverse society with more than 100 living languages spread across various regions, each with its own culture, cuisine and traditions. Our National Day is an occasion to celebrate and affirm our common heritage and identity as Filipinos, as one nation. For our Filipino community, I hope this National Day reminds you that your hard work, resilience and contributions are a source of immense national pride, both in the Philippines and in the Kingdom that has welcomed you as family. In your first seven months as Ambassador, what has moved you most about Bahrain so far? My assignment to the Kingdom of Bahrain is both my first ambassadorial posting and my first experience in the broader Middle Eastern region. From the moment I arrived, the warm, friendly and hospitable spirit of the Bahraini people deeply impressed me. I see Bahrain as a very progressive and open country with a welcoming, inclusive and harmonious society. It has been an amazing and insightful experience so far and I eagerly look forward to learning more about the country, its people, history and culture. Despite the current geopolitical challenges we are facing, it is inspiring to see how the leadership of Bahrain, under the wise guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has handled the situation in a calm and very reassuring manner, ensuring the safety and welfare of everyone in the Kingdom regardless of nationality. What makes the Filipino presence in Bahrain so special? Bahrain is home to over 55,000 Filipinos working and residing in the Kingdom, making us the fourth-largest expatriate community in Bahrain. The profile of the Filipino community varies. We have professionals, including engineers, architects, medical doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants and IT experts, as well as skilled workers, entrepreneurs, business owners and others working in hospitality, the service sector and the households of Bahraini families. This presence is not only economic. Many in our community have been in the Kingdom for decades. A number consider Bahrain their home and have built and established their lives here. We have second and third generations who have spent most, if not all, of their formative years here. They are not just visitors; in a sense, they are also Bahrainis who carry the best of both worlds. Socially and culturally, they form an integral part of this country’s diverse societal fabric. How would you describe Philippine-Bahrain relations today? The two nations share long-standing and excellent relations characterised by friendship, respect and understanding. Our relations with Bahrain cannot only be measured from the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1978. They were strongly built and founded on people-to-people ties even before then. I see the deepening of bilateral economic relations, particularly through increased two-way trade and investment, as the clearest pathway to the next level. When Filipino excellence in services, tourism and green technology combines with Bahraini vision and capital, both our peoples stand to gain significantly. Beyond labour cooperation, where do you see promising new areas of partnership? Since the establishment of bilateral relations with Bahrain, the two countries have signed several agreements, particularly in investment, tourism, agriculture, education, air services and health. To further elevate our bilateral relations, and considering new realities and global challenges, we are looking to revisit and update signed agreements and further expand areas of cooperation with our Bahraini counterparts and partners. These include renewable energy and green minerals, halal tourism, infrastructure, defence, innovation and deeper cultural and educational exchanges. What more can be done to ensure Filipinos in Bahrain feel protected, valued and empowered? From what I’ve learned so far, the Kingdom of Bahrain is highly regarded in our community as a country of peace, tolerance and coexistence between cultures and religions. There are already significant laws and policies that provide a legal and institutional framework for protecting the rights and welfare of not just Filipino workers but all workers in the Kingdom. What needs to be done by both governments and the private sector is to ensure these are properly observed and implemented. We have a very good and close working relationship with our local counterparts in relation to this matter. I am personally grateful for their continued partnership and remain committed to working hand in hand to ensure every Filipino in Bahrain feels safe, valued and empowered. How do you balance diplomacy with the human responsibility of looking after individual Filipinos and families? Philippine foreign policy rests on three primary pillars: the preservation of national security, the promotion of economic security and the protection of the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos. Based on that, diplomacy at the highest level and the very human responsibility of looking after individual Filipinos and families go hand in hand. They are meant to complement each other. It is baked into what we do daily and into our organisational culture. In the case of the Philippines, this care and responsiveness to our community in times of crisis or difficulty is not unique to the Embassy; it is institutionalised across the Philippine Foreign Service. How would you like Bahrainis to experience the Philippines more deeply? For me, the answer is fairly simple: visit the Philippines and experience it first-hand. Taste the food, hear the music, feel the hospitality and meet the people. There is no substitute for being there. What are your key priorities for the next 12 months? During my term as Ambassador, the Embassy will work on further strengthening the bilateral relations of the Philippines with the Kingdom of Bahrain. I hope that the pending agreements will soon be finalised and signed by both countries. The Embassy will also work on strengthening trade and investment partnerships and promote the Philippines as a tourism and investment destination in Asia, as well as a possible source of raw materials such as green minerals. We will also strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, bringing the rich culture, tradition and values of the Philippines and the Filipino people closer to Bahraini people and the wider expatriate community. At the heart of all these efforts remains our commitment to the Filipino community in Bahrain, ensuring they continue to thrive while serving as living bridges of friendship between our nations. What legacy would you hope to leave behind? It is still quite early. I have only been here for seven months, so it feels premature to speak about legacy. I am still listening, learning and fully understanding the needs and opportunities before us. What I can say is that I am deeply committed to strengthening the Embassy’s ability to serve our Filipino community effectively, especially during challenging times. I am particularly encouraged by the potential to broaden our partnership into new areas such as defence and security cooperation. Given my background, I hope to help lay strong foundations in this and other related fields during my tenure so that future generations Scan to watch of Filipinos and Bahrainis can benefit from an even deeper and more multifaceted engagement between our two countries.
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