23 March 2015 - As part of its public diplomacy efforts, the Philippine Embassy in Paris welcomed 39 students of the Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (HRIM) -Tourism Track from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on March 16. The students were in Paris for their World Tourism Tour, held from March 15 to 22. They were accompanied by the college’s Dean of HRIM Studies, Mr. Geronimo Ulayao; Program Chair of Hospitality and Tourism, Mr. Gil Victor Acuña; and Practicum Coordinator Mr. Jesus Zapanta, Jr. The delegation was received by Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Third Secretary and Vice Consul André Peter C. Estanislao.
Ambassador Lazaro gave an overview of Philippine-French bilateral relations and spoke about the positive developments in the continued strengthening of these ties. Ambassador Lazaro also spoke about the successful visit of President Benigno Aquino III to Paris in September 2014 and the recent visit of French President François Hollande to the Philippines in February 2015. She also expounded on the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation between the Philippines and France which was signed on February 26 during the visit of President Hollande to the Philippines.
Vice Consul Estanislao spoke about the consular and assistance-to-nationals work that the Embassy does and other services that are available to Filipino nationals.
This is the 8th year that the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde has been holding a study tour program in cooperation with the French-based Vatel International Business School. END