Outgoing French ambassador Marie Fontanel. Photo courtesy of Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia/Facebook.
Outgoing French ambassador Marie Fontanel chose to dedicate her country’s final National Day reception in Manila to the Filipino people who, she claimed, made her family’s three-year posting in Southeast Asia “an incredible journey of love and friendship.”
Fontanel decided to veer away from usually making her country the center of attention during this year’s Bastille Day celebration as she addressed diplomats, government officials and guests at the French National Day celebration on Tuesday evening.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France turned what could have been a simple farewell speech into a heartfelt tribute to the country she has called home since 2023.
“Tonight, with Alain, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for having made our lives an incredible journey of friendship for three years, sharing every day the true meaning of fraternity,” she enthused, widely smiling.
“This is why I wanted this year’s celebration to be dedicated to the Filipino people, to the people-to-people ties, to solidarity between France and the Philippines,” she added with empathy.
Joined by her husband, Alain, and their three sons, she recalled how warmly they had been welcomed upon arriving in the Philippines three years ago.
“The Filipino people are known throughout the world for their generosity, hospitality, resilience and extraordinary sense of community. I, myself, was truly privileged to feel immediately welcome, to feel immediately at home,” she cited while highlighting the strength of relations between France and the Philippines that goes beyond diplomacy and trade.
“The strength of a bilateral relationship is measured not only by diplomatic agreements or economic exchanges, but by the bonds between their people. (Our) cultural exchanges have flourished over the past three years,” she mentioned.
These included several endeavors, among them the French Film Festival, Cine Europa, Fête de la Musique, Goûts de France, educational partnerships, scholarships and youth exchanges.
Fontanel likewise paid special tribute to French and Filipino civil society organizations working across the country, particularly those supporting women, children, education, environmental protection and social inclusion.
Towards the end of her speech, she looked back: “The past year has been particularly harsh on the Philippines . . . It is a strong reminder that solidarity matters most in moments of adversity. (But right now), I seek comfort in reminding me that we made true friends here in the Philippines.
And in conclusion she raised a resounding toast: “Vive la République. Vive la France. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”
