CEBUANA Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of micro-financial services provider Cebuana Lhuillier, has partnered with De La Salle University (DLSU) in solidarity with the National Quincentennial Committee and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to commemorate 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines, alongside the country’s valuable part in the first circumnavigation of the world by Ferdinand Magellan.

The event was held online with the theme, “Inspiration in Mission: A Commemoration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines,”which celebrates the long-standing linkages between the Philippines and Spain in culture, history and faith. It was attended by religious and academic institutions, including those represented by members of the Association of Catholic Universities in the Philippines (ACUP) as well as various diplomatic missions in the country.

The event was part of the National Quincentennial Celebrations commemorating the historical milestones that led to the discovery of the Philippines and the start of Philippines-Spain relations. The online festivity centered on the historical aspect of the culture of the two countries and how religion became an integral part of the Filipinos’ identity.

Kicking off the festivities were welcome messages from Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier and DLSU President Bro. Bernard Oca, followed by messages from Jorge Moragas Sanches, Ambassador of Spain in the Philippines and his counterpart, Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Philippine Ambassador in Spain. Both cited the productive and progressive relations of Spain and the Philippines going on for five centuries now.