Quezon Memorial Shrine lighted for 80th Philippines-Australia celebrations

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May 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon Memorial Shrine in Quezon City was illuminated in green and gold on Friday evening to mark this year’s Philippines-Australia Friendship Day and the 80th anniversary of bilateral relations of the two countries.

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown was joined by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and other officials during the ceremony, which was highlighted by the switch-on of the pylon light that showed Australia’s national colors.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a historical marker commissioned by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to commemorate Australia’s support for former Philippine president Manuel Quezon and his government during the Second World War.

“In 1942, Australia welcomed President Manuel L. Quezon and his government during one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history,” Innes-Brown said.

“That spirit of friendship endures today, in our strategic partnership, our extensive cooperation and in the more than 400,000 Filipinos who call Australia home,” he added.

The event was attended by Foreign Affairs undersecretary for policy Leo Herrera-Lim and NHCP Executive Director Carminda Arevalo.

Formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia were established on May 22, 1946 with the opening of the Australian Consulate in Manila.

In its statement, Australia said it remains committed to working alongside the Philippines “as a trusted friend and partner, advancing shared priorities in key areas such as defense and maritime cooperation, trade and investment, education, development cooperation and people-to-people links.”