Dear Members and Friends,
On Monday 3 November, we heard 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.
