Mexican Embassy Commemorates 213th Anniversary of Mexican Independence

This article is available in Spanish.

MANILA, Philippines — The Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines, led by new ambassador, Daniel Hernández Joseph, commemorated the 213^th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of Mexico at the Grand Hyatt Manila on Sept. 15, 2023.

On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared the end of the 300-year Spanish rule in Mexico with the “Grito de Dolores” or “Cry of Dolores.”

The Mexican community in the Philippines, along with other foreign diplomats, commemorated the occasion. The celebration continued until the morning of Sept. 16, with the laying of a wreath at the Intramuros monument to Mexican hero Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

“The commemoration of the 213^th anniversary of the beginning of the struggle for National Independence is the ideal time for Mexicans to come together, celebrate our country and share our rich culture and ancestral traditions with our friends in the Philippines,” the Mexican embassy said in a statement.

Mexico and the Philippines have a shared history of more than 450 years, due to the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, which enabled the exchange of people, goods, values, and ideas between both Pacific Ocean coasts for two and a half centuries.

This year also marks the 450^th anniversary of the formal establishment of the Acapulco-Manila route, as noted by several scholars, following Andrés de Urdaneta’s discovery of the “tornaviaje” or return voyage from the Philippines to Mexico in 1565. This year also marks the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. On April 14, both countries illuminated monuments and landmarks with the colors of their respective flags in commemoration of this event.

The two countries will hold the third meeting of the political consultative mechanism to “further advancing in the strengthening of the bilateral relationship” this year.