IS 2nd diplomatic dinner gathers ambassadors, diplomats

Ambassadors and diplomats from Timor-Leste, Norway, Vietnam, and Singapore join FEU International Studies faculty and students at the 2nd Diplomatic Dinner last April 6 at Makati Shangri-La, Manila. Department of International Studies

Far Eastern University’s Department of International Studies (IS) brought together ambassadors and diplomats from four nations for an evening of formal dialogue and cross-cultural exchange under the theme “Vessels of Diplomacy: Sailing through Concord and Solidarity.” 

The 2nd Diplomatic Dinner last April 6 at Makati Shangri-La, Manila was graced by H.E. Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva of the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Keynote Speaker, alongside Guests of Honor H.E. Christian Halaas Lyster of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila, H.E. Lai Thai Binh of the Viet Nam Embassy in the Republic of the Philippines, and First Secretary Jimmy Ang of the Singapore Embassy in Manila.

The event was largely organized and executed by IS students, who were assigned specific protocol and logistical roles throughout the evening which translated classroom learning into live diplomatic practice. For Princess Andrea Lantoria, an IS senior who co-led the organizing team, the experience pushed her into territory no lecture could have prepared her for. When a guest of honor cancelled hours before the program began, she and her committee moved quickly through a three-pronged contingency plan, ultimately delegating members to draft a message and toast on the spot. 

“Mastering contingencies, paired with diskarte [strategy] enables oneself to handle critical crises and build a resilient mindset fit for diplomacy,” said Lantoria. “The program ran smoothly and no disruptions were recorded—and that’s something you couldn’t have learned solely in the classroom.”  

Beyond the logistics, Lantoria also reflected on what it meant to simply be in the room. For IS students, she noted, ambassadors occupy a particular kind of esteem. “There’s always a mix of intimidation and admiration whenever I’m in the same room as them—intimidation because of the high-stake nature of their work, and admiration because of the excellence they have to showcase in representing their countries. In our world, we consider diplomats the pop stars of International Studies,” she said. Seeing them arrive one by one at the Shangri-La, she added, “was surreal in itself,” made more meaningful by the candid lessons the ambassadors shared during the networking session about their journeys, daily realities, and advice for aspiring diplomats.

“This event serves not only as a culminating activity or course requirement but also as a reflection of the program’s goals. It highlights how the curriculum provides a strong foundation for skills development—particularly for students aspiring to join the foreign service or pursue careers in diplomacy,” said Dr. Rex Llonora, IS department chair. 

“The theme was inspired by the department’s commitment to upholding regional solidarity and harmony among ASEAN member countries. It also served as our simple expression of support for the Philippine government in its role as this year’s ASEAN Chair. Additionally, the event functioned as a welcoming ceremony for Timor-Leste as the newest member of the ASEAN regional bloc,” said Llonora.

“One of the most memorable moments was the conversation among the ambassadors from Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Norway during the dinner. We viewed this as a valuable opportunity, particularly for Timor-Leste and Vietnam, to engage with the Norwegian ambassador and explore potential partnerships across various areas such as trade, politics, migration, the environment, and culture. The event served as a bridge connecting Timor-Leste with Norway,” said Llonora.

“The event was highly successful, from planning to execution, with all involved students assigned specific tasks. Their organizational skills were evident throughout the evening. Everyone felt a strong sense of pride, especially the IS faculty, as we witnessed firsthand how students applied theoretical knowledge to real-world practice in protocol and diplomacy,” he said.

To learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies program, please visit this link: https://www.feu.edu.ph/institute-of-arts-and-sciences/bachelor-of-arts-in-international-studies/