Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona Inaugurates Filipiniana Section at University of Alicante Library

Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. LAzaro signs a deed of donation for the 102 books donated to the University of Alicante for the latter’s Filipiniana collection.

BARCELONA 19 April 2024 – The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Barcelona inaugurated the Filipiniana section of the Main Library of the University of Alicante. Over 100 books on various domains of Philippine culture such as language, literature, folklore, religion, arts, geography, history, and politics, sourced from top publishers and available in multiple languages were turned over to the university on 16 April 2024.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Philosophy and Letters Library, attended by Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro and Consul Raisa Mabayo. University of Alicante officials were also present, namely, Francisco Torres Alfosea, Vice-Rector of Studies, Quality and Languages; José María Ferri, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters; Isaac Donoso Jiménez, Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies; José Pablo Gallo León, Director of the University Library; and María Victoria Játiva Miralles, Director of the Philosophy and Letters Library.

This initiative, largely driven by the Consulate General with the assistance of Professor Donoso, aims to enrich the academic resources of the University of Alicante, especially in preparation for the upcoming Philippine Studies Program that the Consulate General is planning with the University.

During the formal signing ceremony held in the Russell P. Sebold Room, the Consulate General handed over these publications to the University Library, which are now featured in a special collection in the library’s catalog and accessible via: https://cat.biblioteca.ua.es/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=34CVA_UA:VU1&collectionId=81253791630006257.

“The establishment of the Filipiniana section marks a significant milestone in our efforts to foster deeper cultural and academic ties between the Philippines and Spain. We are committed to fully stocking the shelves and promoting Philippine studies at the University of Alicante,” stated Consul General Lazaro. "Our contributions, including books from the University of the Philippines Press and Ateneo de Manila Press, were made possible through the generous support of the publishers as well as private individuals."

This initiative highlights the Consulate’s dedication to promoting Philippine culture and studies abroad, reinforcing the longstanding cultural, linguistic, and religious connections between Spain and the Philippines.END

For more information, visit https://barcelonapcg.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBarcelona/.