On 3 May 2024, 39 Xavier Ateneo students taking foreign language classes visited the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to listen to DFA’s Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Asec Ariel R Peñaranda’s talk on the importance of foreign languages when working as a diplomat. The talk was collaboratively organized by FSI’s Language Programs Section, represented by Ms Eivette Lagman and Ms Mary Drew Dueñas, and Xavier Ateneo’s History and International Studies Department, represented by Faculty Members Ms Catalina Gaite and Mr Gleford N Lagcao Jr.

Asec Peñaranda with Xavier Ateneo’s Foreign Language Students
Photo Credit: Mr Ivan Amanense

Emphasizing the need to learn foreign languages, Asec Peñaranda shared his own experiences of learning languages and experiences of being confronted with real-life situations that required knowledge of foreign languages. Having been stationed in many countries for various diplomatic missions, he highlighted the important benefits of knowing languages. More than being able to communicate with people of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, Asec Peñaranda explained how learning foreign languages enhances intercultural communication and builds trust between countries. He exemplified how knowing foreign languages helped him establish connections with the locals of host countries and how it practically facilitated his interactions in daily life situations. During the talk, students also had the opportunity to test their capacity to identify different languages when Asec Peñaranda delivered a message about the Philippines' Foreign Policy in five languages (Spanish, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Turkish, and French).

Aside from being able to meet someone who can speak Turkish, Spanish, Arabic and French, the students also had the opportunity to have a glimpse of the kind of career that awaits them in the field of diplomacy and foreign affairs as Asec Peñaranda generously shared his experiences in the field. Since 1995, he has held important positions in the DFA. His first mission was in Amman, Jordan where he served as Second Secretary and Consul. Then, he was designated as First Secretary and Consul in Ankara, Turkey. He was previously the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations before his current assignment as Assistant Secretary and Chief Protocol of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Participants of the visit taking advantage of the opportunity to interact with Asec Peñaranda and
some exploring the resources of Carlos P Romulo School of Diplomacy’s library

After the talk, students were given time to explore the language learning program facilities of the Carlos P Romulo School of Diplomacy. Intended for self-paced learning for personnel and diplomats about to be assigned overseas, the language facilities were uniquely designed to provide a conducive independent learning environment for those who are learning foreign languages. To supplement the learning facilities, the FSI has in place a library specialized in varied disciplines.

Xavier Ateneo’s foreign language students with Usec Edoardo de Vega at the lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs
Photo Credit: Mr Ivan Amanense

The Department of Foreign Affairs’ undersecretary for migration affairs Usec Edoardo de Vega also graciously imparted his time to meet the students and talk about the languages they know.

Concluding the visit with a shared goal of helping foreign language students appreciate and recognize foreign languages’ practical and strategic importance, the representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Language Section and Xavier Ateneo’s History and International Studies Department look forward to maintaining ties to provide students more opportunities to be exposed to authentic foreign language learning experiences.