#181 RFA Interview:
Her Excellency,
Philippine Ambassador to Australia,
Hellen De La Vega
(January 2019)
Her Excellency, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Hellen De La Vega, recently took up her post as the Philippines' top official in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra at the end of 2018.
The Ambassador brings to Australia a great level of energy and dynamism with a focus on furthering the excellent historical relations between the great nations of the Philippines and Australia. During the interview with RFA, Ambassador De La Vega talks about her background growing up and being educated in the Philippines. The Ambassador graduated with Cum Laude honors at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila with a Bachelor’s Degree in Asian Studies. With such impressive qualifications and a desire to serve her country, she joined the Philippine Foreign Service. Over time, due to a unique combination of her dynamism, dedication, skills, as well as high level communication and people skills, she quickly rose through the diplomatic ranks to become one of the Philippines' most senior and well respected diplomats. Australia is lucky to have Ambassador De la Vega as the Philippines' representative for its diplomatic relations, just as |
it has been so lucky with previous high-calibre ambassadors of great respect, some of whom were also interviewed by RFA.
During the RFA interview, Ambassador De La Vega demonstrates her practical focus when talking about the ongoing relationships between Australia and the Philippines, with a strategic forward-looking view to 2021 which celebrates a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between the two countries. She says:
"... as for my own projects, I intend to focus on programs or activities that would build on our comprehensive partnership, and hopefully elevate it to a strategic partnership in time for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine diplomatic relations with Australia in year 2021."
The Ambassador also talks about the details of her diplomatic role in leading her talented team of multi-tasking embassy officials to achieve four main objectives. Ambassador De La Vega directly continues on from her strategic partnership statement:
"My team here in Canberra, in our embassy, have discussed our work plan for 2019 guided by the pillars of our foreign policy, and that is promoting national security and territorial integrity. Second is on economic diplomacy. Third is on the promotion and protection of the rights of Filipinos overseas, and of course the fourth is cultural diplomacy, or image building."
In regard to the economic realm of the relationship, Ambassador De La Vega sees the enhancement of trade and investment ties as particularly important. She quotes "$2.1 billion dollars" as the total trade between countries and believes this can be increased much further. In the education sector the ambassador wants to increase student exchanges and institutional partnerships.
Listening to Ambassador De La Vega is inspiring. She is well organised, very detailed and highly articulate in communicating her thoughts through a genuine, passionate and enthusiastic spirit to achieve even greater things for the relationship between the Philippines and Australia. This furthers, with honour, the great work laid before her by previous ambassadors.
During the RFA interview, Ambassador De La Vega demonstrates her practical focus when talking about the ongoing relationships between Australia and the Philippines, with a strategic forward-looking view to 2021 which celebrates a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between the two countries. She says:
"... as for my own projects, I intend to focus on programs or activities that would build on our comprehensive partnership, and hopefully elevate it to a strategic partnership in time for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine diplomatic relations with Australia in year 2021."
The Ambassador also talks about the details of her diplomatic role in leading her talented team of multi-tasking embassy officials to achieve four main objectives. Ambassador De La Vega directly continues on from her strategic partnership statement:
"My team here in Canberra, in our embassy, have discussed our work plan for 2019 guided by the pillars of our foreign policy, and that is promoting national security and territorial integrity. Second is on economic diplomacy. Third is on the promotion and protection of the rights of Filipinos overseas, and of course the fourth is cultural diplomacy, or image building."
In regard to the economic realm of the relationship, Ambassador De La Vega sees the enhancement of trade and investment ties as particularly important. She quotes "$2.1 billion dollars" as the total trade between countries and believes this can be increased much further. In the education sector the ambassador wants to increase student exchanges and institutional partnerships.
Listening to Ambassador De La Vega is inspiring. She is well organised, very detailed and highly articulate in communicating her thoughts through a genuine, passionate and enthusiastic spirit to achieve even greater things for the relationship between the Philippines and Australia. This furthers, with honour, the great work laid before her by previous ambassadors.
Photo above: Philippine Ambassador Hellen De La Vega calls on AU Gov. Gen. Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd.) for the presentation of credentials [photo courtesy Philippine Embassy Website].
Photo: Philippine envoy, Ambassador Hellen De La Vega inspects an Australian Guard of Honor and Band. [photo courtesy Philippine Embassy Website].