Women on top

MANILA, Philippines - “Our lady ambassadors serve as a source of inspiration for all women in the Philippines as they inspire other Filipinas to develop themselves and reach their maximum potentials, regardless of background, religion, class status and other factors,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo at the opening of the photo exhibit, “Her Excellency: Philippine Lady Ambassadors at the Frontlines of Diplomacy,” on Aug. 16 at the DFA main lobby in Pasay City.

The exhibit featured 66 past and present female ambassadors and their lives in the foreign service, narrated through pictures from their tours of duty overseas and at the home office. 

“In 1955, the Department of Foreign Affairs opened its doors to women as it supported a transition to a merit-based institution through the Foreign Service Officers’ Examinations, considered the toughest government examinations,” said Secretary Romulo. “The rest, as they say, is history.”

Romulo lauded the achievements of the lady ambassadors and relayed how they serve as inspiration to all Filipino women. “I am sure that with this exhibit, we will realize that a Filipina ambassador is not just a paragon of beauty and intelligence, but also the summation of what makes an exemplary public servant — having dedicated their time, effort and expertise in the service of the Filipino people, wherever they may be.”

Secretary Romulo with Ambassador Shahani and Ambassador Narciso Escaler, and chief of staff Antonio V. Rodriguez, country representative of the UNDP Jacqueline Badcock

On hand for the exhibit opening were Romulo’s wife, Rosie Lovely T. Romulo, former Senator and Ambassador Leticia R. Shahani, Philippine Ambassador to Germany and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia D. Albert, and former Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo. Thirty-nine retired and active lady ambassadors and their representatives were present for the event.

Shahani delivered a message on behalf of the lady ambassadors, sharing her personal experiences during her tours of duty, while taking note of the accomplishments achieved by the country through the department.

The exhibit was organized and mounted by the Gender and Development (GAD) Unit of the Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations. It is the Department’s contribution to the worldwide celebration of the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and 15^th anniversary of the Beijing Platform For Action (BPFA), considered as the most comprehensive agenda for women empowerment. The activity was also held in line with the National Women’s Month theme for 2010, “Babae, Tagumpay Ka Ng Bayan.”

The opening of the exhibit kicked off the department’s week-long celebration on gender and development. The week was capped by a talk show, entitled The Empowered Filipina, a forum on women in power and decision-making on Aug. 20.