SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio (leftmost) with Canadian Ambassador David Hartman (center) and colleagues at SEARCA, namely (from left), Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, program head, Research and Thought Leadership; Ms. Sharon Malaiba, unit head, Partnerships; and Ms. Loise Ann Carandang, senior associate for communications.
MANILA, Philippines—In a series of diplomatic engagements last week, Dr. Glenn Gregorio, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), had interacted with three ambassadors to the Philippines, the Center's host country. Two were envoys of associate member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), SEARCA's mother organization. Dr. Gregorio said their discussions focused on the Center's upcoming initiatives and potential collaboration opportunities to enhance agricultural development in the region.
Dr. Gregorio with Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss (center) and Ms. Ester Buzgan, incoming deputy ambassador to the Philippines, after their meeting on the sidelines of the 45th NAST ASM.On the sidelines of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) Annual Scientific Meeting at the Manila Hotel, Dr. Gregorio met with Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, along with Ms. Ester Buzgan, the incoming deputy ambassador to the Philippines, and Ms. Dee Urtua, development cooperation officer at the Embassy of the State of Israel. Their talks revolved around SEARCA's future projects and the possible contributions that Israel could make in their co-design and implementation.
In the evening of the same day, a SEARCA delegation led by Dr. Gregorio attended the celebration of Canada Day at the Grand Hyatt Manila. Dr. Gregorio and his colleagues met Canadian Ambassador David Hartman and Mr. Eric Russo, counselor and readiness and security program manager at the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. During their discussion, the SEARCA team briefed the embassy officials on the Center, its scope, and its mandate, fostering a deeper understanding of SEARCA's work. Their most recent partnership was the completed Southeast Asian Upland Agriculture Fellowships funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and implemented by SEARCA.
Dr. Gregorio with French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz at the Bastille Day celebration.Dr. Gregorio also attended the Bastille Day celebration at the Embassy of France in the Philippines on 14 July where he met French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz. This encounter provided another opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding partnership between SEARCA and France, particularly in research and capacity development programs. Currently, the Center is hosting two MS Agronomy students from ISARA-Lyon as they undertake their internship. Ms. Edith Coronel is working with SEARCA on its School-Plus-Home Gardens and School Edible Landscaping for Entrepreneurship projects, while Ms. Louise Fau is immersed in the Center's Web-based Integrated and Spatial Engine and Smart Ecosystem (WISE) Carbon and calamansi projects.
SEARCA's presence at the national day celebrations of Canada and France strengthened its ties with SEAMEO Associate Member Countries, fostering international cooperation in agricultural and rural development.