09 July 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. accompanied by Philippine Honorary Consul in Guadalajara Martin Camarena de Obeso, Philippine Honorary Vice Consul Martha Castañeda and Administrative Officer Bernardo Bagalay were enthusiastically welcomed by school officials, students and parents from the Escuela Republica de Filipinas in Guadalajara City on July 03. Also on hand to meet the Philippine delegation was School District Supervisor Eldiberto Rios Rosales. The Escuela Republica de Filipinas which was founded on 09 October 1969 is composed of elementary students numbering 1,150 with  34 school officials providing the academic and administrative needs of the students. 

The highlight of the visit is the donation of  12 units of bicycles by Consul Camarena given to the best students of the school for the academic year 2014-2015. Consul Camarena addressed the student body and gave an inspiring message to the students where he mentioned that if a student studies hard and complete one’s assigned tasks, a bright future is guaranteed for that individual. Ambassador Dilem, for his part, assured the school body of the Philippine Embassy’s  participation, through its Honorary Consul in Guadalajara, in the school’s endeavors. He also motivated the school officials to continue to provide quality education to students in order to maintain the institutions high standards.

School district supervisor Eldiberto Rios related some historical facts on the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and cited it as the beginning of Philippine-Mexican relations. For this reason, he considers it an honor for the school to be named after the Philippines. 

A representative from the student body, Ms. Mary Montserrat expressed her appreciation on behalf of her fellow students for the Philippine Ambassador’s presence as well as the donation of bicycles. She inspired the students not to perform well only because of a material reward, but more for the long term benefits that it will provide them in the future.  END