by Anna Mae M Atillo, AB International Studies 4

The Ateneo Diplomatic Corps (ADC), the co-curricular organization of International Studies students, successfully convened the very first Ateneo Diplomatic Corps Convention. The three-day affair themed "Integration: Bridging Philippines and Asian Neighbors" was graced by the Consul-General of the Consulate of Malaysia in Mindanao Mohammad Azhar Mazlan and the Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Hiroshi Yamakawa.

Mazlan presented on “Philippines and Malaysia: Partners in Combating Terrorism” while Yamakawa shared on “Philippines and Japan: Advocates of Economic Development in Southeast Asia.” Other presenters during the plenary sessions were Peleta B. Abejo, Senior Economic Development Specialist of the National Economic Development Authority; Petrona M. Bergado, Regional Director of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration; and Jo Mark Libre, Associate Professor at Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Xavier University.

Moreover, the delegates, all 90 of them coming from Xavier University, Liceo de Cagayan University and Ateneo de Davao University, visited the offices of the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Tourism, Office of the Mayor, Department of Interior and Local Government, Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc, Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Cagayan de Oro Museum.

The convention also included a diplomatic dinner wherein the participants dressed up in their Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog attires. They were joined by the speakers, guests and members of the faculty of Xavier University.