Following is the complete text of remarks by Albert del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, at Asia Society New York on September 28, 2015.

Honorable Kevin Rudd;

Honorable Henrietta Fore and Mr. Ronnie Chan, Co-Chairs of The Asia Society; Distinguished Members of The Asia Society Board of Trustees; Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. and the Philippine Embassy Officers; Ambassador Lorie Yparraguirre and the Philippine Mission Officers and Staff; Consul General Mario de Leon and the PH Consulate General Officers and Staff; 

Honored Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good evening.

It is a rare privilege, and with great pride as a Filipino, to host this evening’s reception, honoring and celebrating the Philippine Gold Exhibit, made possible by Ayala Museum, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and a host of generous partners.

The Philippine organizers could not have found a better partner than the Asia Society, a global institution that promotes "greater knowledge of Asia across the fields of policy, business leadership, education and arts and culture."

Dubbed as Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms, this spectacular exhibit provides stunning evidence that, indeed, the Philippines not only had a sophisticated culture that thrived even before Western contact, but also had pre-colonial connections with our South, Southeast and North Asian neighbors. 

This fascinating collection of 10th to 13th-century gold treasures is proof positive of the Philippines’ rich tradition as creative artisans, as a trading civilization, and as a maritime nation.

The superior quality of these ancient gold works and ornaments provides a clear narrative on the robust maritime trade in Southeast Asia, a dynamic region that will be integrated as One ASEAN Community this December.

Ladies and Gentlemen, fresh from the success of the Philippines’ re-introduction to the world cultural stage via the 56th edition of the Venice Biennale, this unprecedented Philippine exhibition here in New York City is a most worthy endeavor which further cements the country’s emergence as a rich cultural force.

Let me, therefore, encourage our guests this evening and the Filipino-American community to invite their family members and friends to see this groundbreaking gold exhibition which will run until early January 2016.

This exhibit is a Philippine triumph.

Thank you once again for this privilege, and please enjoy the rest of the evening.

I thank you.