FSI Celebrates 48th Anniversary at the PICC
MANILA 23 December 2024 - On 9 December 2024, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) celebrated its 48th Founding Anniversary at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay.
Notably in attendance were Mr. Armand Tristan Surratos, Head of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Secretariat & Liaison Officer of the Philippines to the APO and DAP’s representative on behalf of PCEO Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, former FSI personnel and now De La Salle University (DLSU) Professor Dr. Rene C. de Castro, FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, Executive Director Lolita B. Capco, Deputy Director General Marichu C. Liwanag, Ph.D. and all FSI personnel.
As the Institute looks forward to #FSIPhilippines_RoadTo50, this year’s anniversary highlighted FSI’s achievements in the Year 2024 and recognized the outstanding people behind the successful year. Several awards were given including 4 Outstanding Employee of the Year Awards, 1 FSI Graduate Studies Scholarship Award, 2 Career Development Incentive Awards, and 10 Loyalty Awards.
Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III summed up all of FSI’s programs and new initiatives launched this year, some of which include the Partner’s Lecture Series, Ambassador’s Lecture Series, Cultural Wednesdays, and Roundtable Discussions. DG Fernandez also proudly shared FSI’s newest initiative, the Training and Research Outreach Program (TRO), aimed at responding to the needs of colleagues from Consular Offices outside of Metropolitan Manila. FSI also successfully provided learning platforms for FSI personnel such as the AHA! Hour, Good Morning, FSI!, and Cultural Visits to Intramuros and Cavite. Further, he shared one remarkable achievement for FSI this year—the revival of the Retreat of ASEAN diplomatic academies which was participated by senior representatives of diplomatic academies in Southeast Asia geared towards the strengthening of ASEAN solidarity. The last conference of ASEAN diplomatic academies was held 40 years ago in Manila.
DAP’s PCEO Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago and Member of the FSI Board joined in the celebration as she delivered her message of congratulations to FSI’s 48th anniversary through a recorded video message. She greeted all the 2024 FSI awardees and expressed continued support to maintaining collaborative partnerships for new capacity-building initiatives on research and training, while highlighting FSI’s and DAP’s strong ties since its inception.
Ms. Elsa A. Sajul of the Publications Section delivered her Testimonial Speech as she shared some of her career highlights in her 40 years of public service in FSI from 1984 to 2024.
At the end of the program, FSI’s Executive Director Lolita B. Capco shared an inspiring closing remark, sharing that she herself witnessed FSI’s and its people’s growth through the years.
A donation drive was also put in place to raise funds for affected Filipinos who were victims of the typhoons that struck the Philippines this year.
Ms. Dulce Amor N. Fortunado, one of FSI’s Loyalty Awardees and CPRSD’s 2024 Outstanding Employee of the Year, serenaded the audience with her rendition of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” and one of Eraserhead’s classics “With A Smile.”
A same-day edit video featuring the celebration’s highlights created by FSI’s Jule Patrick M. Tinga and Anne Bernadette E. Turao was also presented to conclude the program.
The event was also graced by a number of former FSI personnel including FSOCC Batch 29 (Layág) Antonio Emannuel R. Miranda, Ms. Maria Teresa A. Sebastian, and Ms. Rachelle R. Abarrientos of the DFA.
Mr. Josemari Janathiel P. Borla of CIRSS and Ms. Bea Marie B. Lopez of CPRSD served as masters of the ceremony.
The Foreign Service Institute is the training and research office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was created under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and its role was expanded under Republic Act No. 7157. The FSI Board is chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs with the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Director General of the FSI, President of the University of the Philippines (UP), and President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as members. END
