Embassy Lauds PH Fulbright Program @70
Filipino Fulbright scholars with Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez (4th from right); Ambassador Jennifer Galt (center); Ambassador John Maisto (4th from left); and Embassy Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (2nd from right).
26 March 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy, led by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, organized a reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program at the Philippine Chancery Annex in the evening of March 22.
The Philippine Fulbright Program is the longest running Fulbright Program in the world and the longest education exchange in the Philippines.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano delivered a congratulatory video greeting that was played at the start the program.
“The Fulbright Program has been an important vehicle that ensures the enduring friendship between our two peoples,” said Secretary Cayetano.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Romualdez underscored the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and the United States that stems from their peoples, highlighting the importance of Fulbright Program.
“We are, therefore, honored to celebrate with all of you tonight the longest continuously operating Fulbright program in the world. Established in 1948, the first batch of Filipino Fulbright scholars left for the United States a year later,” said Ambassador Romualdez.
“Seventy years hence, the program continues to be what it was conceived for in the early years of the diplomatic relations between our two countries. It is a vehicle for mutual understanding. It provides students and scholars from both the Philippines and the United States the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research in academic environments that strengthen the ties between our peoples,” the Ambassador further noted.
One of the guest speakers, US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, emphasized in her remarks the dynamic role of education exchange in US-Philippines relations through the years.
“Thousands of outstanding Filipinos and Americans have participated since the program began, and have gone on to serve as leaders in their fields. Among the secrets to the Fulbright program’s longevity in the Philippines, and its continued strength and vitality is that it has enjoyed strong support from both our governments, reflecting its importance in our overall bilateral relationship,” said Ambassador Galt.
US-Philippines Society President, Ambassador John Maisto, who was once a representative to the Philippine Fulbright Commission, also stressed the importance of building on what the Fulbright Program represents.
“We raise awareness; we call attention to the modern US-Philippine relationship, which is based on mutual understanding. We reach out to the Filipino citizens and the Filipino-American diaspora here in the United States,” said Ambassador Maisto.
A simple reception followed the conclusion of the program which was live streamed at the Embassy’s official Facebook page.
A gala event organized by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) was also held at The Peninsula Manila, Philippines in the evening of 23 March 2018. Former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was one of the 10 Filipino alumni inducted to the Fulbright Hall of Fame during the Manila celebration. END
For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/philippinesusa @philippinesusa on Twitter
Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez delivers the opening remarks at a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program on 22 March 2018.
US-Philippines Society President John Maisto, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Galt, and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez engage in a conversation at the reception held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program.