40th Anniversary of PH-Ethiopia Ties Honors Legacy of Pioneering Filipino Teachers in Ethiopia
DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella (right) presents to Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Philippines Shiferaw Jarso (left) a copy of the book “Filipino Footprints in Africa: The Pioneering Mission of Filipino Teachers in Ethiopia” during the latter’s courtesy call at the DFA on 23 February 2018.
01 March 2018 MANILA — A commemorative book on the story of the 137 Filipino teachers who went to Ethiopia in 1970 to answer Ethiopia’s need for educators was launched as a culminating event in the celebration of the 40th year of the formal establishment of Philippine-Ethiopia diplomatic relations.
A copy of the book was presented to Amb. Shiferaw Jarso, non-resident Ambassador of Ethiopia to the Philippines, by Undersecretary Ernesto Abella during the latter’s visit to the Philippines at the Department of Foreign Affairs on 23 February 2018. Amb. Jarso felt personal nostalgia during the presentation recalling that he was a student of Mr. Narciso Gabriel, one of the 137 teachers. Amb. Jarso credited his Filipino teacher for his decision to pursue his university education which led to an illustrious professional career later in life.
The Filipino teachers who went to Ethiopia during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie were dispersed to the remotest areas and made a big impact in the Ethiopian education system. The book was published by the Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) of the DFA and will be distributed among government agencies and diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa as well as the various Philippine schools where the 137 teachers taught prior to going to Ethiopia.
PH-Ethiopia diplomatic relations were established on 07 February 1977. END
Feeling nostalgic, Ethiopian Ambassador Shiferaw Jarso (left) beams as he flips through the pages of the commemorative book.