On the evening of 24th June 2026, H.E. Maria Lourdes Bernadette Z. Banson hosted her inaugural National Day reception as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta to the Republic of the Philippines. Held at the Turf Room of the Manila Polo Club in Makati City, this celebration served to significantly reinforce the Order’s humanitarian mission and its diplomatic relations with the Philippines. The primary objective of the event was to increase the visibility of the Order and make its unique mission better known among the diplomatic community, particularly among the resident Ambassadors.

The day’s events began with a solemn commemoration of the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered at 16:30 in the Turf Room, presided over by Monsignor Esteban U. Lo, the Conventual Chaplain ad honorem of the Order of Malta in the Philippines. This sacred service was attended by the Knights and Dames of the Philippine Association, who were joined by their families in honoring the spiritual foundations that have guided the Order for nearly a thousand years.

The formal reception commenced at 18:30, wherein the presence of government officials, Church leaders, and partners reflected the Sovereign Military Order of Malta’s established standing in the Philippines and contributed to the strengthening of existing relationships. Notable attendees included H.E. Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as the Secretary of Health, Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa. The Guest of Honor was Hon. Ezzedin H. Tago, Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The program, hosted by veteran performer Ms. Pinky Marquez, opened with the National Anthem of the Philippines, Lupang Hinirang, followed by the Order’s anthem, Ave Crux Alba.

Ambassador Banson delivered a poignant Welcome Address that issued a call for a “diplomacy of tenderness and compassion unto eternity.” She shared the transformation of Sara, a sickly abandoned baby her family fostered in 1978 who grew up to serve abandoned children in Cambodia through the Swiss government. This narrative illustrated her personal history of fostering twenty-one babies alongside her husband and emphasized her conviction that the poor are not problems to manage but are our lords and teachers of humanity. The Ambassador highlighted that God is the source and summit of all their work, noting that a civilization of dignity requires a moral and spiritual commitment to the most vulnerable.

Hon. Ezzedin H. Tago subsequently spoke on behalf of the Philippine government, expressing deep gratitude for the Order’s enduring humanitarian presence. He lauded the Order’s consistent relief efforts during major national crises, including Typhoons Ondoy, Sendong, Pablo, and Haiyan, as well as in earthquake recovery in Bohol and Cebu. This exchange underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a relationship that holds diplomatic significance as many other Asian countries do not yet share such diplomatic ties. Undersecretary Tago concluded by offering a diplomatic toast to the friendship between the two states, the health of His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ John T. Dunlap and H.E. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and the success of the Order’s noble mission.

The program featured an audio-visual presentation that allowed guests to gain a deeper understanding of the Order’s 900-year history and its vital humanitarian work. Guests were treated to musical performances from the Women of Song trio (Pinky Marquez, Cathy Castaneda, and Cheekee Aurelio) who performed lively medleys including a Sergio Mendes set and 70s disco hits.
Additionally, the Banda Cuatro Malabon Youth, featuring musicians aged seven to sixteen, delivered their first public performance with renditions of “Manila Girl” and “Defying Gravity.” Ambassador Banson noted that supporting music for these children provides a healthy outlet for self-expression and teamwork, aligning with the Order’s focus on human development and dignity.

Ultimately, the National Day celebration not only inspired a renewed sense of hope and action in realizing the Order’s mission to nurture the faith and serve the poor, but it also successfully enhanced the Embassy’s visibility and profile within the diplomatic community and the Filipino people. Through making the Order’s nearly 1000-year legacy and its vital humanitarian work better known to the resident Ambassadors and government partners, the event effectively advanced a diplomacy of tenderness and compassion unto eternity, significantly strengthening the Sovereign Military Order of Malta’s humanitarian and diplomatic mission in the Philippines.