RIYADH: Former Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Hassan received on Monday the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of Datu, the Katangiang Pilak Award.
Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago, assisted by Consul General Iris C. Arribas, conferred the award on the former Saudi envoy to the Philippines during a ceremony at the Philippine Embassy.
“The award symbolizes the exemplary service of former Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Hassan in promoting bilateral ties between the two countries,” the Filipino envoy said.
President Benigno Aquino lll was originally scheduled to grant the award earlier at the end of the tour of former Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Hassan.
The awarding ceremony was witnessed by Foreign Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis, First Secretary and Consul Christopher Patrick T. Aro, First Secretary and Consul Mary Jennifer Dingal and other embassy staff.
In receiving the award, Al-Hassan expressed his gratitude to the Philippines where “I represented my country, Saudi Arabia, in the best way that I could to bolster ties binding the two countries.”
He also thanked the Philippine Embassy, including Foreign Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis “who made the Philippines a home away from home for me and my staff at the Saudi Embassy in Manila.”
The Order of Sikatuna, the country’s national order of diplomatic merit, is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious service in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines.
The Order of Sikatuna was established by President Elpidio Quirino through Executive Order No. 571 on Feb. 27, 1953 and commemorates the first treaty, the Pacto de Sangre, between the Philippines and a foreign country.
Consul Mary Jennifer Domingo Dingal, consular section head, said the Order of Sikatuna has the following ranks: Grand Collar or Raja, Grand Cross or Datu, Grand Officer or Maringal na Lakan, Commander or Lakan, Officer or Maginoo, and Member or Maharlika.
Former Saudi envoy to Manila honored
Former Saudi envoy to Manila honored
