28 October 2014 - The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hosted the launching of the newest book of Philippine Consul General Marciano R. de Borja entitled “The State Department Boys: Philippine Diplomacy and Its American Heritage” on October 23 at the Carlos P. Romulo Library of the DFA. The book is part of the ADST-DACOR book series and was published and released by New Academia Publishing of Washington, D.C. in July 2014.
The book deals with the story of the 40 pioneer Filipino diplomats who attended a special training program in the State Department between December 1945 to September 1947. They eventually played pivotal roles in the Philippine diplomacy and helped the fledgling Philippine Republic hold its own in the international arena.
In his remarks, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said “The book is not only a vivid account of the travails and triumphs of the so-called trailblazers; it also puts a spotlight on the Philippines’ progress in asserting its rightful place in the community of nations. The State Department Boys are now the acknowledged pioneers in our national pursuit to achieve an independent, pragmatic, and principled Philippine Foreign Policy.”
On the other hand, Dr. Ricardo T. Jose, Professor of History at the University of the Philippines said “the book fills a void in Philippine diplomatic history, the professional diplomats became pillars of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs and had sterling careers in building the institution and crafting Philippine Foreign Policy, thus the author has now given these men and their efforts due recognition”.
Philippine Consul General De Borja holds the rank of Chief of Mission II in the Philippine Foreign Service and is currently Consul General in Guam. His previous foreign assignments include the Philippine Embassies in Japan, Chile and Spain and Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. He holds degrees from the University of the Philippines and the University of Navarra (Spain) and studied International Politics at the University of Tokyo. He is also the author of FSO IV: Starting a Career in the Philippine Foreign Service (1999) and Basques in the Philippines (2005).
The book launching was attended by Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, US Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg, Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, Undersecretary Evan Garcia, Professor Ricardo T. Jose of the University of the Philippines, Executive Director Ruy Moreno of the Center for Global Best Practices, DFA Assistant Secretaries, DFA and FSI Officers and staff, members of the academe and business community as well as 14 young diplomats from Timor Leste who are undergoing training at the FSI. END