Justice Carpio Lecture, “Pag-asa” Documentary Screening Take Centerstage at University of Pompeu Fabra
BARCELONA 13 May 2025 — The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona concluded another university outreach, advancing the promotion of the Philippines as a maritime nation, at the prestigious Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona on 07 May 2025.
A keynote online lecture via Zoom by retired Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio headlined the event at the UPF Ciutadella Campus, where over 70 students in IR and Global Studies of UPF attended. The talk was preceded by a screening of a GMA Public Affairs award-winning documentary by Filipino journalist Atom Araullo titled “Pag-asa.”
“Might does not make right,” said Justice Carpio, underscoring a principle vindicated in the 2016 Arbitral Award. He emphasized that even smaller nations like the Philippines, when armed with international law, can stand firm against hegemonic overreach.
The “Pag-asa” documentary, presented with Spanish subtitles, laid out the background of the West Philippine Sea issue, putting on spotlight the continuing aggression around Pag-asa and the broader area of the Spratly Islands, where harassment of Filipino coastguard and fishermen, ramming of vessels, and images of the militarization of features were documented.
Leading the class was UPF’s Prof. Iraida Giménez, who praised the “Pag-asa” documentary for highlighting the human dimension of maritime conflict in the West Philippines Sea. “Geopolitical flashpoints such as the West Philippine Sea are not merely cartographic disputes but existential battles for dignity, survival, and justice,” she said. “Pag-asa” brought these realities to life through the stories of Filipinos living under constant threat yet unwavering in spirit”.
“Understanding the West Philippine Sea issue is vital in grasping the broader dynamics of ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region. In fact, for Europe and the rest of the world, the implications are profound. The South China Sea region has become the home to some of the world’s busiest sea lanes and most dynamic economies. This means that what happens in this area impacts supply chains, freedom of navigation, energy security, and the rules-based international order that Europe itself helped shape,” said Philippine Consul General in Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, highlighting the importance of the West Philippine Sea discourse.
The engagement at UPF is part of a broader public diplomacy initiative by the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona to promote the country’s maritime identity and champion the 2016 Arbitral Award. By engaging academic communities in Spain and Andorra, the Philippines continues to speak truth to power, reaffirming its place as a champion of international law, peace, and principled diplomacy. END
For more information, visit https://barcelonapcg.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBarcelona/.