Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Jose Cabrera III, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Samih Hayat at the cake-cutting ceremony.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Jose Cabrera III receives the US Ambassador Karen Sasahara.

Philippines ambassador receives UK Ambassador Belinda Lewis

A Filipino troupe performs a traditional dance at the get-together

On the other hand, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Jose Cabrera III praised the deep-rooted friendship between his country and the State of Kuwait, stressing that these relations are witnessing growing momentum, thanks to the high-level meetings between the leaderships of the two countries and the ongoing cooperation in various fields. He indicated that his country aspires to host the first round of bilateral consultations in Manila this year, which will address important issues such as maritime safety, combating human trafficking, sports, and international security.

He expressed his country’s appreciation for the contribution of more than 220,000 Filipinos residing in Kuwait to the economic and social development of both countries, while commending the measures taken by the Kuwaiti authorities to improve labor conditions and protect them. He recalled the struggles of forefathers who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the Philippines and the first raising of the flag on June 12, 1898, emphasizing that the Philippines remains committed to the values of peace, democracy, and human rights despite all the challenges. He also affirmed that the Philippines has become an attractive destination for investment, especially in the sectors of agriculture, services, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and space technology -- benefiting from a young and skilled workforce.