PASAY CITY, 09 November 2022 – The DFA-Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC), in partnership with the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), held an inaugural virtual seminar-workshop on protocol, social graces, and etiquette for 30 selected diplomats from the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Marshall Islands on 26 – 27 October 2022.
The two-day seminar-workshop is part of the Department’s efforts in strengthening Philippine engagements with Pacific Island Countries through knowledge exchanges under the South-South technical cooperation. The workshop is aimed at enhancing awareness and skills in protocol, social graces, and etiquette for diplomats.
The seminar-workshop was facilitated by Mr. Revimarc L. de Mesa, a former Deputy Chief of Presidential Protocol of the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines (2006-2008) and recipient of several government awards for the successful hosting of Philippines-hosted summits and meetings.
In his welcome remarks, ASPAC Assistant Secretary Nathaniel G. Imperial highlighted that the Philippines and the Pacific Islands Countries belong to the same Pacific family, bound by geographical, cultural, and historical affinities, and shared aspirations.
At the end of the seminar-workshop, the participants from the three Pacific countries expressed appreciation for this initiative, noting that the topics on professional appearance, poise and decorum, dining etiquette and table etiquette, as well as cross-cultural courtesies and interactions will be beneficial as they represent their respective countries in the international stage as diplomats.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs