07 September 2016 — Participants in the 2016 Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) Conference met with officers of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong on August 24. They attended HPAIR at the Chinese University of Hong Kong from August 19 to 23.

The Philippine delegation was comprised of around 50 students and young professionals from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo De Manila University, and De La Salle University. Twenty one (21) of the delegates paid a courtesy call on the Consul General.

During the courtesy call, the delegates were given a short briefing on the Consulate’s operations, programs and activities, the situation and profile of Filipinos in Hong Kong, and Philippines–Hong Kong relations, including historical linkages, Jose Rizal’s stay as an eye doctor, the making of the Philippine Flag, and Emilio Aguinaldo’s exile to Hong Kong.

Consul General Catalla answered questions from the HPAIR participants about the Consulate’s work and the Foreign Service. The group was given a short tour of the Consulate’s premises in order for them to have a better appreciation of its daily operations.

The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations is an annual conference of students and young professionals organized by the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences in order to promote understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural issues in the Asia-Pacific region among international students, academics, business professionals, and political leaders. The conference is conducted annually since 1991. END