25 January 2004 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert hailed the on-the-spot art competition among elementary and high school students held today at the Lake Garden Hotel in Tagaytay City as a boost to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ efforts at cultural and public diplomacy.  “This partnership among the DFA, DepEd and the City Government of Tagaytay is a vehicle by which the young minds of our students are opened to the realities of this fast changing world, in effect preparing them for the world of tomorrow, which they will inherit,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also lauded the City Government of Tagaytay and Tagaytay schools for organizing this on-the-spot art competition as their response to a DepEd advisory encouraging the conduct of activities to promote awareness among students of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), whose senior officials and foreign ministers will be hosted by the Philippines in Manila and Tagaytay on 28-31 January 2004.

Secretary Albert noted that the Philippines’ hosting of international meetings such as those of FEALAC should also provide an opportunity to expand the world vision of the Filipino youth.  “Such global outlook becomes embedded even more when it is expressed through their artistic creativity,” the Secretary added.  The Secretary further explained that, in addition to the usual political, economic and migration issues dealt with by the DFA, the Department would also like to contribute to preparing our youth for the challenges and opportunities of the globalizing world.

In preparation for the competition, the participants have, in the past few weeks, been studying FEALAC’s objectives and its individual member countries, on the basis of materials provided by the DFA.  About 50 students from among Tagaytay’s public and private schools joined the contest’s intermediate and high school levels.  Known artists and respected residents of Tagaytay will be judging the artworks, guided by the competition’s theme “FEALAC: A Vision for East Asia and Latin America Convergence.

Tagaytay will be hosting FEALAC’s ministerial retreat, signaling the city’s debut in hosting international events.  The ministerial retreat is intended to allow the participating foreign ministers to interact with their counterparts in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere, while still being able to discuss matters that are important to their countries.  “Against the splendid backdrop of Taal Lake and amidst the fresh, unpolluted air of Tagaytay Highlands, I’m confident that there will be a lot of good relations and even friendships fostered among the ministers,” Secretary Albert quipped.  END.