24 March 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. promoted Philippine businesses, culture and tourism during his visit to the city of Monterrey, Nuevo León from March 8 to 10. His select tours in businesses and cultural institutions emphasized the strong historical, economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Mexico.
Ambassador Dilem met with Mr. Enrique Alanis and Mr. Adrián Castillo Cisneros of CEMEX, one of four major Mexican companies with operations in the Philippines. Mr. Alanis cited CEMEX’s very positive experience in the Philippines, and stated that they would be willing to share their testimony in the planned “Visit Philippines 2015” program of the Embassy.
The Ambassador also met with Dr. Renato Balderrama, a professor of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. Dr. Balderrama, who teaches a course on Asian history with a special portion on Philippine-Mexico relations, expressed his great interest in the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Ambassador Dilem informed Dr. Balderrama of the Embassy’s collaborative efforts this year to promote the 450th anniversary of the Galleon Trade, such as an ongoing historical lecture series.
The Ambassador also paid a visit to the Museum of Mexican History in Monterrey, which houses an exhibit of ivory religious icons from the 16th to 19th centuries originating from the Philippines and India. He was informed that the private collection, the largest of its kind in the Americas, is scheduled for display in the Philippines within the year. The pieces were excellent examples of the religious icons that crossed the Pacific via the Galleon Trade. END