GOVPH

STATEMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY ENRIQUE MANALO ON THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD ON THE SCS ARBITRATION

THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE LAUNCHES AMBASSADOR MONTEALEGRE’S “THE MUTE STORYTELLER”

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) launched “The Mute Storyteller”, a book showcasing the art and talent of Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre at a ceremony held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila on 13 June 2022. The launch was attended by Mrs. Ma. Lourdes B. Locsin, as guest of honor and who also delivered a message, as well as FSI Director General Jose Maria Cariño, Ambassadors Christopher Montero (Assistant Secretary for Human Resource Office of the DFA) and Sulpicio Confiado (DFA’s Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fiscal Management), and other DFA officials.

The Mute Storyteller tells the stories of scenes frozen in time, of moments captured into permanence, reciting the tales of changing seasons and the cadence of time. It features a compilation of photos of beautiful sceneries taken from various countries, including the captivating scenery of Vietnam. The Mute Storyteller generously shares to us a world of visual poetry and whispers the tales of places and scenes from different continents as captured through the lens of an artist and a diplomat.

Ambassador Meynardo LB Montealegre presenting a copy of his book, The Mute Storyteller, to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (second from left). Joining them in the photo is the author, Ms. Frances Marie B. Montealegre (far right). The book was published by the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Montealegre with Mrs. Ma. Lourdes B. Locsin (center), with the author Ms. Frances Marie B. Montealegre (2^nd from the right) and FSI Director General Ambassador Jose Maria Cariño (extreme right). In the photo is Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (extreme left), Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY INAUGURATES SENTRO RIZAL IN HANOI

Hanoi, Vietnam -Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo LB. Montealegre and Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) inaugurated Sentro Rizal in Hanoi on 21 June 2022 together with the members of the Filipino Community in Vietnam.

The Sentro Rizal Hanoi is part of the cultural diplomacy project of the Philippine Embassy and is supported by the NCCA through Republic Act no. 10066 or the Heritage Law. The Sentro Rizal’s main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language throughout the world. Aside from Sentro Rizal in Hanoi, there are also 36 Sentro Rizal all over the globe.

Ambassador Montealegre, quoting Dr. Rizal’s words when he wrote to the young women of Malolos in 1889, said, “Ignorance is like slavery because whatever the mind thinks, that is how the person will act. A person who does not have a mind of his or her own is not a person. A person who is blind from knowledge will follow what others will say and that person is no different from an animal who will blindly follow the leash. I encourage all of you, through our Sentro Rizal, to spread our heritage to family and friends in Vietnam so that they may understand us deeper and foster a more accepting and understanding international community.”

NCCA Executive Director Casaysay emphasized that each Filipino in Vietnam is a bearer of Philippine culture. “I encourage everyone to learn more about our heritage, develop programs that nurture our identity, and reinforce our activities for a creative and inclusive community. Makilahok, maki-alam, makisama sa pangangalaga at pagpapayabong ng ating kultura dito sa Sentro Rizal Hanoi. Together, let us be proud of our identity and culture, and forge ahead, strong and proud of our genius and heritage,” Executive Director Casaysay said to the attendees.

Philippine Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre and Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts unveils the Sentro Rizal marker at the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21 June 2022.

Ambassador Montealegre signs the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the establishment of the Sentro Rizal Hanoi, with NCCA Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay witnessing on behalf of NCCA Chairman Arsenio J. Lizaso.

During the inauguration ceremony, both the NCCA and the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which spells out the undertaking of both agencies for the maintenance and utilization of the Sentro Rizal. Executive Director Casaysay also took the opportunity to inspect the Rizal bust located at the Embassy grounds, which was unveiled by officials from the Philippine Embassy on 12 June during the commemoration of the 124^th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

Philippine Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre and Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21 June 2022.