Dear Members and Friends,
On Monday 3 November (The first Wednesday was booked out at the Double Tree
Hotel), we will hear from Jose Manuel Romualdez, Ambassador of the Republic of
the Philippines.
The Philippines—an archipelago of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia—is a nation
where breathtaking natural beauty meets a complex and deeply layered history. A
former U.S. colony and now a key strategic ally, the Philippines sits at the heart of one
of the world’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoints: the South China Sea. As tensions
rise between China and the United States, this vibrant country finds itself on the
frontlines of global power dynamics. But beyond its strategic significance, the
Philippines captivates with its rich cultural tapestry—a fusion of indigenous heritage,
centuries of Spanish and American influence, and a deeply rooted Catholic tradition. It
is a land of paradoxes and potential, where tradition meets transformation and local
identity coexists with global relevance.