19 February 2014 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with Robinsons Malls, opened the exhibit, “The Philippine Foreign Service: Its Beginnings,” at Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City on February 17. The DFA Exhibit is part of the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini.
The opening of the exhibit was graced by DFA Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis, Robinsons Malls Regional Operations Manager Mylene Del Rosario, and Robinsons Malls Senior Consultant for Government Affairs and Special Projects Tommy Lee O.
Also present were Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena M. Sanchez, DFA Assistant Secretary Domingo P. Nolasco and Assistant Secretary Mary Jo B. Aragon, and other officials and staff of the DFA and Robinsons Malls.
The exhibit will be available for viewing at Robinsons Magnolia until February 27. Mall goers will be given a glimpse of the rich history of the Philippine Foreign Service from the time of Apolinario Mabini, the first Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary, and be acquainted with the men and women who helped shape the institution.
The 11-day exhibit features various rare photos and documents sourced here and abroad, including items from the Carlos P. Romulo collection, photos of luminaries such as President Elpidio Quirino, Carlos P. Romulo, Leon Ma. Guerrero, Raul Manglapus, Narciso Ramos, and pioneering Filipino women diplomats, among others. A digital display will also inform exhibit visitors on selected topics on the Philippine Foreign Service.
The exhibit features antique travel and consular documents, showing the evolution of the Philippine passport, from the issuance of manually-scripted passports to the modern-day and highly-secure e-Passports. DFA personnel will also be manning a booth at the exhibit area on February 19, 22 and 25 to provide information on passport and other consular services, as well as information on the Foreign Service examination.
A section of the exhibit likewise showcases the public-private partnership between the DFA and Robinsons Malls in bringing consular services closer to the people by opening satellite and regional consular offices. END
