Rule Britannia

Did you know that relations between the Philippines and what is now known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland started way back in the 16th century?

- ATTY. MIKE TOLEDO

Contrary to popular belief, engagement with the United Kingdom did not start with the British Occupation of Manila and Cavite between 1762 to 1764, but relations started with the arrival of the known British explorer Sir Francis Drake in Mindanao in 1579 after an almost three-year circumnavigational voyage.

Of course, every historian and history buff, particularly of World and English history, would know about the colorful and controversial life and exploits of Sir Francis Drake, who was close to Queen Elizabeth I at the time and was even rumored to be one of her lovers.

Much of the relations with Great Britain four centuries later would be more economic, and it was only on July 4, 1946, that formal diplomatic relations were established.

Relations between the Philippines and the United Kingdom had always been good. No less than our own President, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., studied in the UK, both at the Worth School and Oxford University in England in the '70s. More on British education later.

We put our best foot forward when it comes to the United Kingdom, and our current Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom is one of our best public officials, the highly intelligent and astute Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr.

On the part of the British, they have likewise sent one of their best diplomats to our shores, Her Excellency Laure Beaufils, who previously served as the Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa of the Department of International Development and the Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Sadly, though, Ambassador Beaufils will be ending her tour of duty here.