DFA Brings Public Diplomacy Caravan to Northern Luzon

Office of Public Diplomacy Acting Executive Director Duke A. Villanueva formally opens the DFA Public Diplomacy caravan at the Cagayan State University (CSU); CSU students from its Andrews and Carig campuses attended in person, while students from CSU’s seven other campuses (Aparri, Gonzaga, Lallo, Lasam, Piat, Sanchez Mira, and Solana) participated virtually (as seen on the screen behind). (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

MANILA 06 May 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs successfully undertook the fourth leg of the DFA public diplomacy caravan at the Cagayan State University (CSU) in Tuguegarao City and Kalinga State University (KSU) in Tabuk City on 28 April and 29 April 2025, respectively, engaging around 850 CSU students who attended both in person and virtually, as well as  another 300 KSU students in  the Caravan’s Tabuk leg. The Caravan held at KSU also saw the participation of students from Saint Tonis College, a private higher educational institution also in Tabuk City.  

The DFA team was led by Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (OPPC) Deputy Assistant Secretary Jed Martin A. Llona and Office of Public Diplomacy (OPD) Acting Executive Director Duke A. Villanueva, and included other officers and staff from the OPD, the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, Office of ASEAN Affairs and Human Resources Management Office.

As in previous Public Diplomacy caravans, the students from both schools received a briefing from the DFA officials on an independent Philippine foreign policy, the West Philippine Sea, Philippine maritime zones, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), to the 2016 Arbitral Award, and careers in the DFA. The representative from the Office of ASEAN Affairs discussed ASEAN as a regional organization, the PH hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026, and ASEAN’s significance to the Philippines.

Part of the presentations from the different DFA offices was the sharing of job experiences by the speakers prior to joining the DFA, which highlighted the diverse professional background of officers currently serving in the DFA, and emphasized that the DFA does not require a particular course from jobseekers who are taking the Foreign Service Officers Examination or applying as staff.

To give students an opportunity to be clarified on issues that the DFA handles, an open forum followed the presentations where the DFA representatives responded to questions from students on current issues, particularly the West Philippine Sea and international dialogue and trade.   

The visit of the DFA to the above-mentioned higher educational institutions also included a courtesy call on university officials, which provided an opportunity for the DFA officials to share information on the functions of the DFA, including the consular services that it provides, and the issues that it handles.

The goal of the DFA Public Diplomacy Caravan is to give the public a better understanding of the DFA’s different functions and responsibilities, and have direct interactions with its stakeholders to better appreciate their concerns and perspectives in relation to the DFA as a public service agency. END

Deputy Assistant Secretary Jed Martin A. Llona (standing) addresses CSU students and discusses the independent foreign policy of the Philippines. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

OPD Acting Executive Director Villanueva shares with KSU students his experience joining the Department during his opening remarks. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) Principal Assistant Ashyanna Alexine A. Bangcola informs students about the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines’ maritime zones and DFA efforts to help defend our sovereignty and maritime domain. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

Office of ASEAN Affairs Acting Director Jose Santiago F. Olaguera gives a briefing on ASEAN and the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) Acting Director Jake Robin S. Ramintas briefs students about the Foreign Service Officers Examination and its requirements, as well as the other ways by which fresh graduates could land a job at the DFA. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

The DFA panel of speakers (seated on stage) respond to questions fielded by KSU students regarding the West Philippine Sea. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

Deputy Assistant Secretary Llona (2nd from left) and Acting Executive Director Villanueva (leftmost), along with the members of the DFA team call on Dr. Ana Marie Cristina C. Cauilan, CSU Vice President for Internationalization, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (2nd from right), who is accompanied by Dr. Loraine S. Tattao of the Office of Student Development and Welfare Director (rightmost). (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

The DFA team calls on KSU President Dr. Joy Grace P. Doctor (rightmost) before the start of the caravan. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

The DFA Team and CSU officials with CSU students. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)

The DFA Team and KSU officials with KSU students. (DFA-OPD photo by Jef Mendoza)