Bogota, April 4 (AseanAll)  — Philippine Ambassador to Colombia Adrian Bernie C. Candolada formally presented on 02 April 2025 his Letters of Credence to President Gustavo Petro Urrego of Colombia as the first Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia.

The presentation ceremony was held at the Casa de Narino, official residence and main workplace of the President of Colombia located in the historic center of the capital city of Bogota. Colombian President Petro welcomed Ambassador Candolada to Casa de Narino as the first Philippine Ambassador to Colombia.

Candolada conveyed to President Petro the warm greetings and well wishes of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the Colombian president as well as the government and the people of Colombia. While presenting his letters of credence, he re-affirmed the Philippine government´s commitment to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Colombia.

Petro expressed his admiration for the ambassador´s Barong Tagalog which he found to be similar to Colombia's Guayabera, the traditional men´s garment associated with the cultural life of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Petro then introduced Ambassador Candolada to Colombia´s Foreign Minister Laura Camila Sarabia Torres, Minister of Interior Armando Alberto Benedetti Vilaneda, and Director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic (DAPRE) Angie Lizeth Rodrigues Fajardo.

Candolada was joined by Second Secretary and Consul Judy Razon, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jan Mikhail G. Solitario, and Finance Officer Lourdes Francis Morallos during the ceremony.