Also called the Bastille Day, the occasion commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which started the French Revolution that gave birth to the French Republic, espousing the values of liberté (freedom), égalité (equality), and fraternité(brotherhood). On the same night, Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina Ortega was conferred the Ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit) with the rank of Grand Officier (Grand Officer) for her distinguished service.