In an exclusive interview with Woman This Month, HE Anne Jalando-on Louis, Ambassador of the Philippines to Bahrain, shares insights into her extensive diplomatic career, the robust bilateral relations between the Philippines and Bahrain, and the vibrant Filipino community’s role in the Bahraini economy. She discusses the goals and initiatives of the ASEAN Committee in Manama, Bahrain (ACMB), which she will soon chair, and on the occasion of the Philippines’ 126th Independence Day, highlights the cultural and economic collaborations that continue to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Your Excellency, can you give our readers an overview of your diplomatic career to date?
I joined the Philippine Foreign Service back in 1996 after I passed the Philippine Foreign Service Officers’ Examination the year before. After joining the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, I went through a year-long cadetship programme. Subsequently, I was assigned to several offices at the Department in Manila such as the Office of ASEAN Affairs, the Office of European Affairs and the Office of the Secretary. My first posting was to the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Following that, I served as the Philippine Consul General in Sydney, Australia. Before I arrived in Bahrain in April 2022, I was on my second tour at our Embassy in Malaysia, serving as Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General.
You recently took over as the head of the ACMB. Can you let us know what this responsibility entails and what your primary objectives will be?
ACMB was established in 2017, joining 54 ASEAN Committees in other countries where there are ASEAN diplomatic missions. Here in Bahrain, the ACMB comprises the five ASEAN Diplomatic Missions of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. I will be taking over as the chair of ACMB from my Indonesian colleague, HE Ardi Hermawan. The primary aim of ACMB is to promote awareness and deeper understanding about ASEAN, paving the way for closer engagement between the ASEAN member countries and Bahrain, whether politically, economically or in other areas. For instance, I note that ASEAN as a bloc represents a significant opportunity for trade and investment.
What can you tell us about the state of bilateral relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain?
The Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain celebrated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last November, so this year marks our 46th year. Our ties, however, extend beyond these formal relations to long-standing people-to-people connections. Over the years, we have signed more than 20 bilateral agreements, with several more pending or being negotiated. Notable exchanges include the visit of former President Rodrigo Duterte to Bahrain in August 2017. We are eagerly anticipating the opening of the Bahraini Embassy in Manila this year following the directive issued by HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. We believe our bilateral ties will only continue to strengthen in the coming years.
How many Filipino nationals currently reside in Bahrain, and what are the key sectors they are involved in?
According to the latest figure from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, there are more than 57,000 Filipinos in Bahrain. They work across various fields including engineering, healthcare, accounting, education, architecture, graphic arts, retail, hospitality and household services. There are also entrepreneurs among them. Our nationals are contributing significantly to Bahrain’s economy in numerous sectors.
How do you view the role of Filipino expatriates in Bahrain’s society and economy, and what measures are in place to support their welfare and integration?
Filipino expatriates are highly regarded for their strong work ethic, commitment and skills. They contribute significantly to the growth and development of Bahrain and help build community, not only within the Filipino community, but also with other expatriate groups and within Bahraini society. The Embassy works tirelessly to support their welfare and integration, offering services and programmes that help protect their rights and promote their well-being.
What are the main areas of cooperation and collaboration between the two countries? Could you highlight any recent developments or initiatives aimed at enhancing trade and investment?
Trade and investment are key areas of cooperation. Last year, we organised a business-to-business matching session with several Philippine food companies. We aim to diversify this engagement to include non-food items such as office equipment and supplies, furniture, garments and personal care products. We want to promote the Philippines as a choice destination for business as well as for tourism. Additionally, the Filipino Business Council, formed last year, is an instrumental partner in fostering deeper business engagements between Filipino and Bahraini enterprises.
Your embassy is an avid supporter of the Filipino Creatives Bahrain. What efforts are being made to support such groups in Bahrain, and how does the embassy promote cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections between the two nations?
We are immensely proud of the artistic talent within the Filipino community in Bahrain. The Embassy has organised several exhibitions showcasing their work, such as the Salam Salamat art exhibition held in December 2023, which featured 22 Filipino and 23 Bahraini artists. We also promote Filipino culture through the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal, named after our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, which displays artworks by the members of Filipino Creatives Bahrain. These initiatives help strengthen cultural ties and foster mutual understanding between our nations.
What opportunities do you see for further strengthening the diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Bahrain in the coming years?
We look forward to formalising several agreements, including one on labour cooperation. We are working towards convening bilateral meetings that would pave the way for the implementation of a number of joint activities and programmes across various sectors. There are many areas of cooperation that both our countries can continue to explore and I believe that these present opportunities for us to forge even closer ties in the future.
The Philippines’ Independence Day will take place on June 12. What events will be taking place in Bahrain to celebrate this auspicious occasion?
In celebration of the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, we have a series of activities planned throughout June. Highlights include performances by the Filipiniana Rondalla, a Filipino cultural group of seven musicians who will perform during our National Day reception as well as at a concert to be held at the Cultural Hall. We are also organising a week-long art exhibition. We will also showcase Filipino cuisine and products and host contests and activities for the Filipino community such as essay writing, poster making and painting.
On the occasion of the Philippines’ Independence Day, what message would you like to convey to the Filipino community in Bahrain and to Bahraini nationals regarding the future of bilateral relations?
We are grateful to HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and to the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain for providing an enabling environment to Filipino nationals. We are confident that our bilateral relations will grow even closer and stronger in the years ahead. We look forward to 45 and more years of productive and fruitful cooperation, serving our mutual interests and aspirations. To my fellow Filipinos, I wish you a meaningful and joyful observance of Philippine Independence Day. Let us remember the legacy of our forefathers who fought for our freedom and continue to contribute positively to the task of Philippine nation-building.
