The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, in New Delhi, hosted the students of Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), OP Jindal Global University on 20th February 2023 for an immersive educational experience. The revered members of the Embassy and cultural officer of the embassy warmly welcomed a cohort of students accompanied by the esteemed faculty of JSIA, Dr Sriparna Pathak and Dr Manoj Kumar Panigrahi.
The program commenced with a brief welcome address by H.E. John Boitte C. Santos. It was followed by an illuminating presentation by Vice Consul Mark Anthony G. Articulo, enlightening the students with a general overview of The Philippines. The students were told that the Embassy in New Delhi is one the largest in The Philippines anywhere in the world!
The presentation encapsulated the key aspects of the Philippines’ history, geography and foreign policy. The students were succinctly explained how the geography and its large diaspora influence the foreign policy of the country. There was a focus on The Philippines as an archipelagic state, its long-standing conflict with China on the South China Sea and the 2016 tribunal verdict under UNCLOS.
The informative session was furthered by Vice Consul Mark Anthony P. Dizon. He threw light upon the strong bilateral ties India and the Philippines have shared for a long time, especially emphasising the words in Tagalog language being influenced by Sanskrit as a testament to long-standing cultural ties. The Vice Consul also spoke about the high-level visits between the two countries and also the signing of the Brahmos deal with India in 2022. Other Southeast Asian nations are also looking towards India, to further their defence ties with a keen interest in the Brahmos missile. Next year, in 2024, India and the Philippines mark 75 years of strong diplomatic relations which had been established in 1949. The officials expressed hope that direct flights between New Delhi and Manila will begin soon.
After an enriching session with the esteemed Vice Consuls, the dialogue was opened for questions. Students satiated their curiosity by putting forth well-researched questions that were answered with great clarity and comprehensiveness by the diplomats.
The questions ranged from the role of the Philippines and ASEAN in restoring democracy in Myanmar, the public sentiment regarding Spanish colonial heritage, risk of the Philippines becoming a frontline state in the event of a US-China conflict over Taiwan.
The illuminating session was followed by a delicious snack break. The students and members of the embassy lightened up and played a game of “Pinoy Henyo”, a traditional version of “Heads Up”. It was made furthermore culturally enriching, by the display of Tinikling, a popular folk dance native to the nation. The students also learned the art of dance and it was a delightful exchange of cultures. The students who won the game and participated in the dance activity were gifted beautiful coffee table books. After a break filled with dance and games, a well-rounded tour of the Embassy was given. The students witnessed all the important offices and the consular section. It was an interactive tour and students asked a variety of questions based on how they witnessed the working style and the setup of the Embassy. The tour was finally led to the Ambassador’s residence where lunch awaited. A variety of traditional Filipino delicacies like Puto and Sapin-Sapin were served which also included the traditional drink Sago at Gulaman. It was a scrumptious meal which reflected the warm and embracing culture of the Republic of the Philippines.
The enriching experience ended on a high note with the students learning extensively. The Embassy is looking forward to inviting more such educational collaborations with JSIA and other departments of OP Jindal Global University, soon. Therefore, it was a successful immersion of education and cultural exchange between the University and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines.
The visit to the Philippine embassy in India was an enriching experience. We gained insights into the functioning of the embassy and its role in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries. I appreciate the efforts of the embassy in fostering friendly ties and promoting cooperation between India and the Philippines. I would like to express my gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Enrique A. Manalo and the staff of the embassy for their hospitality and cooperation during the visit.