60 Years and Bon Vivant! Philippine-French Relations grew out of a symposium held at the Ateneo de Manila University on June 26, 2007 to mark the 60th Anniversary of the said establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The symposium covered four themes: France in Philippine history, France in Philippine culture, France in Philippine education, and Filipino families with French ancestry. The themes have hence been expanded to include business, and a folio of Filipino artists who lived, visited, or were touched by France.

All this history underscores the fact that the relations between the Philippines and France actually went way beyond 60 years.

Includes insightful articles by: H.E. Gerard Chesnel; H. E. Jose Abeto Zaide; Hon. Mayor Elionor ‘Ely’ I. Pillas; Olivier Dintinger; Deanna Ongpin-Recto; Sr. Maria Josefina Matias, RA; Sr. Antoninette Bengzon, SPC; Clemente Dreyfus del Castillo; Lourdes Gaston Dalupan; Felix ‘Nonon’ Guerrero Padilla; Louis Thevenin; Amparito Lhuillier; Felice Prudente Sta. Maria; Leovino Ma. Garcia, Ph.D.; Georges Gaston Feydeau; and Henri Ortiz. With excerpts from the writings of Brother Andrew Gonzales, FSC; Paul P. de la Gironiere, and Jose Rizal.