Philippine Studies Program Goes Global with Launch of Landmark Catalogue
(Left to right) Senator Loren Legarda, DFA Office of Cultural Diplomacy Acting Head of Office Arlene T. Magno, and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo unveiled “From the Philippines to the World: A Global Catalogue of Philippine Studies Programs Abroad Promoting Academic Excellence and Cultural Diplomacy” during its official launch at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros, Manila (Photo credits to James Ryan Artiaga, DFA-OPD)
MANILA 04 July 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Office of Cultural Diplomacy (OCD), in partnership with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda (OSL), officially launched the book, From the Philippines to the World: A Global Catalogue of Philippine Studies Programs Abroad Promoting Academic Excellence and Cultural Diplomacy at the Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.
The launch gathered personalities from the education, diplomatic, and cultural sectors, who witnessed the unveiling of the first publication on the Philippine Studies Program, an initiative which aims to establish academic scholarship, research, and cultural exchange on Philippine history, culture, language, and society in various universities worldwide. The catalogue documents 24 institutions across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania that were supported by the DFA and OSL who have formally incorporated Philippine Studies into their curricula.
In his welcome message, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo emphasized how Philippine Studies has flourished globally through enduring academic and diplomatic partnerships.
“These programs are cultural bridges. They are testaments to how a nation asserts its voice on the global stage not through force, but through narrative; not through dominance, but through understanding,” Secretary Manalo said.
He credited the long-standing support of Senator Loren Legarda as instrumental in sustaining these programs, citing her advocacy, leadership, and vision in promoting Philippine culture on the global stage. He also acknowledged the critical role of the DFA’s Foreign Service Posts and partner universities in developing and maintaining these programs.
“As we look to the future, let this catalogue be a blueprint, a call to further deepen our partnerships, expand our academic footprint, and foster mutual understanding through knowledge,” Secretary Manalo added, emphasizing the DFA’s vision to sustain and grow the Philippine Studies Program as a key platform for international engagement.
Senator Loren Legarda, who tirelessly worked to make this program what it is today, delivered the keynote address. She described the Philippine Studies Program as a powerful means to shape the country's image abroad, not through spectacle, but through substance.
“Diplomacy does not begin in embassies alone. It begins in libraries, in classrooms, in acts of curiosity,” Senator Legarda said. “And for the Philippines, it begins when the world speaks about us with nuance, with depth, and with dignity.”
She traced the program’s roots to its first partnership with the School of Oriental and African Studies - University of London in 2017 and noted how it has since grown into a dynamic network of academic institutions engaging with Philippine realities across disciplines.
“This is soft power at its most strategic: scholarly, reciprocal, and deeply human,” she said. “The Filipino experience, presented on the world stage, on our own terms, sparking new conversations about our heritage in ways that ripple across sectors.”
In her remarks, Legarda also emphasized that the program provides space for critical, interdisciplinary engagement, supporting research that ranges from climate gentrification and indigenous knowledge systems to the Philippines’ role in early global trade and cultural integration.
A special video presentation highlighted the significance and impact of Philippine Studies programs. The documentary-style video featured interviews with Secretary Manalo, Senator Legarda, historian and professor Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, Ph.D, and Dr. Mary Dorothy dL. Jose, Ph.D, as well as academics, scholars, and students from around the world who shared their experiences and insights on the value of engaging with Philippine history, identity, and culture through education.
The launch of From the Philippines to the World underscores the DFA’s commitment to cultural diplomacy as a cornerstone of Philippine foreign policy – one that builds people-to-people connections, encourages inclusive discourse, and positions Filipino voices in the global conversation on heritage, identity, and nationhood. END
Photo credits to James Ryan Artiaga, DFA-OPD
Photo credits to James Ryan Artiaga, DFA-OPD
Photo credits to James Ryan Artiaga, DFA-OPD
Photo credits to James Ryan Artiaga, DFA-OPD