03 March 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. accompanied by Philippine Honorary Consul in Acapulco, Dr. Mario de la O Almazan and Mr. Bernardo G. Bagalay, the Philippine Embassy’s administrative officer, visited Acapulco  and met with the city’s mayor, Dr. Luis Walton Aburto  and other city officials on February 26.  During their conversation, they expressed their desire to promote cultural exchanges particularly because Acapulco was an important trade link between the Philippines and Mexico through the Galleon trade. The mayor also mentioned about the promotion of possible educational cooperation between the two sides.

Ambassador Dilem  also visited the Fort San Diego where a permanent exhibit  on the  Galleon trade is featured. The museum director, Mr. Victor Hugo Jasso Ortiz, explained the significance of the items on display and offered the facilities of the museum for any cultural activities of the Embassy. The director showed the area where the ships in the Galleon trade  docked  and unloaded their goods.

Ambassador Dilem likewise met the president and officials of the Chamber of Commerce in  Acapulco and discussed possible trade exchanges between businessmen in Acapulco and their counterparts in the Philippines. The president of the chamber expressed special interest in exploring the coconut/copra industry in the Philippines.

Ambassador Dilem met three Filipino residents in Acapulco who have been living in Mexico for almost 30 years. They are all married to Mexican nationals and engaged in the entertainment industry and restaurant business.  They are economically stable as shown by the fact that their children are all professionals or university students.

The Ambassador also visited the Mexico-Philippine plaza where a bust of national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal is enshrined. END