By Roy Lie Atjam
On May 21, 2026, the Embassy of the Philippines, in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine, proudly hosted a concert to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Philippine-Netherlands diplomatic relations. This remarkable evening was held at the historic Nieuwe Kerk (1656) in downtown The Hague, featuring the renowned soprano Ms. Rachelle Gerodias, who captivated the audience with her powerful voice, accompanied by the talented pianist Shermaine Velasco.
The event was further enriched by a special performance from baritone Mr. Byeong In Park, providing a remarkable cultural experience.
The concert drew a distinguished audience, including ambassadors; Permanent Secretary Christiaan Rebergen, ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa and Madame Iwasawa, CFC Managing Director Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his spouse; ambassadors from ASEAN countries; respected judges of the ICJ and ICC, the Secretary General of the Hague Academy, Mr. Jean Mark Thouvenin, and representatives from esteemed international organizations in The Hague.
The highlight of the evening was a compelling speech from the guest of honor, Permanent Secretary Mr. Christiaan Rebergen of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking on behalf of the Dutch government, he emphasized, “This week, marked by high-level exchanges and collaboration across various fields, showcases the strength of our ties.”
Rebergen went on to say, “an anniversary like this signifies not just history, but also our cooperation in trade, education, and culture—most importantly, it’s about the people and the connections we forge. Let us honor these connections in the most beautiful way possible: through music. Music transcends language; it resonates with everyone, tells our stories, honors our memories, and touches our hearts.”
Featuring on the program, Rachelle Gerodias-Park treated the audience with a well-appreciated rendition of the Dutch song “Maria, schone vrouwe” (Maria, fair lady), composed by the renowned Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya stated that the commemoration’s theme “aptly characterizes the bilateral relations, which covers a multitude of areas, notably trade and investment, smart agriculture, water management, semi-conductors, sustainable development, renewable energy, academic exchanges, and the list continues to grow.”
“As we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, our close relations have equipped us to confidently address challenges, including sustainability, reliable energy supply chains, and maritime security. Our shared commitment to international law, the law of the sea, and democracy serves as a solid foundation for our collaboration,” the Ambassador added.
The 75th anniversary celebration was further amplified by the significant visit of Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro to the Netherlands, which took place from May 17 to 19, 2026, the first visit by a Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary in 33 years., marking an important moment in the Philippines- Netherlands diplomatic journey.
During the visit, Secretary Lazaro met with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and high-level officials of international organizations based in The Hague. Earlier, in March 2026, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Allan Gepty visited the Netherlands, while Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries traveled to Manila in February for meetings with Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque.
The evening opened with a rendition by Gerodias of “Quando men vo,” the aria from La Boheme, accompanied by Velasco, an Amsterdam-born pianist of Filipino heritage. Gerodias and Park did duets of “Libiamo,” “Papageno Papagena,” and “Lippen Schweigen,” then Park had a solo performance of “Largo al Factotum.”
Their performance of Filipino classics including “Katakataka” (How Surprising!), “Sa Kabukiran” (In the Farmland), “Mutya ng Pasig” (Muse of Pasig), and “Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak” (Because of a Flower) delighted the audience, followed by a duet performance of the Korean song “A Fine Day in October.” Park, the spouse of Gerodias, is of Korean descent.
The concert concluded with the Broadway favorites “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Think of Me,” “All I Ask of You,” and “Tonight, tonight.”
Ambassador Malaya surprised the audience when he accompanied on the piano Ms. Gerodias in performing “Payapang Daigdig” (Peaceful World).
Responding to the request of the audience for an encore, Ms. Rachelle and Mr. Byeong In sang Celine Dion’s “The Prayer.”
