History of CIR

The College of International Relations started out as the School of Foreign Service. It was administratively under the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). It initially offered the Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree in School Year (SY) 1954-55, as authorized by the Department of Education under Recognition No. 35 Series of 1954. A total number of 1,000 enrollees in SY 1959-60 prompted Lyceum President Dr. Sotero H. Laurel to separate the School of Foreign Service from the CAS. Dr. Laurel became the Acting Dean of the newly separated School of Foreign Service. It was later renamed College of Foreign Service. In 2005, the College was further renamed College of International Relations (CIR).

Since its establishment, the College had in its roster distinguished and prominent professors and teaching staff that included the late President Diosdado Macapagal who became a Special Lecturer teaching Philippine Foreign Relations in 1969. Ten years later, former Ambassador to the Holy See Alberto Katigbak, in his capacity as Dean of the College, initiated revisions to the BSFS curriculum. In SY 1981-84, Dr. Jose D. Ingles became Dean of the College. He resigned in 1985 to become Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and subsequently Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Ambassador Luis Moreno-Salcedo, Ambassador Benjamin B. Domingo and Ambassador Dolores B. Sales also served as Dean of the College before Ambassador Reynaldo O. Arcilla took over as CIR Dean in April 2006.

Soon after his assumption as Dean, Ambassador Arcilla instituted changes in the CIR curriculum to ensure its responsiveness to the changing needs of its constituents and especially designed to prepare its students for the Foreign Service Officer examination given annually by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The following subjects were introduced: Philippine Political, Economic and Socio-Cultural Conditions, Cross Cultural Communications, Multilateral Diplomacy, and Field Research in Diplomacy. New emphasis was given to the study of International Relations, World History and Civilization, and International Organizations, the core subjects of the FSO examination.

The syllabi of practically all the CIR subjects have undergone revisions to bring them up to date, including Diplomatic Practice, Introduction to International Relations, Philippine Foreign Relations, Protocol and Etiquette, and International Organizations.

To strengthen the CIR faculty, new chairpersons were appointed. Ambassador Josue L. Villa, former Philippine ambassador to Thailand and to the People’s Republic of China, joined in April 2006 as Chairperson of the Department of Politics, Government and Diplomacy, and Ambassador Alfredo Almendrala, former Philippine ambassador to Myanmar and Consul General in San Francisco, as Chairperson of the Department of International Trade, in addition to their appointment as Special Lecturer.

In addition to long-time professors Ambassador Dolores Sale, Ambassador Fortunato Oblena, and General Cesar Fortuno, new professors were added to the faculty: Ambassador Apolinario Lozada, Jr., Ambassador Phoebe Gomez; Ambassador Nestor Padalhin; Atty. Ruby Sakkam, a summa cum laude graduate of St. Scholastica College; and Mr. Gil Santos, veteran journalist and former bureau chief of Associated Press. Ambassador Aladin Villacorte, Ambassador Emelinda Lee-Pineda and Ambassador Estrella Berenguel have also joined the faculty recently. Ms. Gladys Nalangan, Mr. Genesis Brillantes and Ritchelle Alburo, all bright and superbly qualified young teachers, are also in the faculty. The foreign language teachers are also all extremely well-qualified.

Starting SY 1992-93, Japanese Language (Nihongo) was offered in addition to French and Spanish which were the original foreign languages offered to Foreign Service students. Mandarin was later offered as another foreign language in 2003-04, although it was initially offered on an experimental basis. Similarly in SY 1992-93, adjusting to the growing importance of international trade and economics in a globalizing world, International Trade was offered as another major program of the BSFS degree. Therefore, starting during the said school year, two (2) major programs were offered: BSFS major in Diplomacy and BSFS major in International Trade.

The College encouraged the establishment of College-based organizations to help promote the holistic development of its students. The Foreign Languages Association (FLA) was established in SY 1998-99 as an umbrella organization of foreign language students associations. The FLA is composed of the Nihonggo Kaiwa Kai (NKK), an association formed in 1992 by Japanese language students. The Cervantino (CC), an association of Spanish language students. In addition, the Foreign Service Club (FSC) and the UNESCO Club, both organizations of Foreign Service students, were established in SY 1998 and SY 2002-03, respectively.

The College has forged cooperation agreements with various organizations, most notable of which are: a Memorandum of Cooperation with the United Nations Information Center in Manila; informal agreements with the DFA, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment, World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippine Air Lines, as well as with many other government and private establishments regarding the practicum training of BSFS students in those establishments.

The College also established the Philippines-Japan Internship Program whose first participant was Mr. Manabu Tanaka, a Japanese national who taught Nihonggo classes in the College. It organized the First Foreign Languages Song Festival in SY 2003-04 that was participated in by both Filipino and foreign students. The College helped in designing the curriculum for the Master’s Degree in Diplomacy offered in the Lyceum’s Claro M. Recto Academy for Advanced Studies in SY 2000-01. This course was later renamed Master of Arts in Foreign Service.

Summary of CIR activities:

A College Lecture Series was institutionalized in July 1999 to widen the avenue for intellectual and academic growth through research and share insights and to promote academic exchanges, discussions, esprit de corps and camaraderie among faculty members. The Lecture Series produced the following:

1. “ASEAN and the Philippines Today: Political Implication”, Liezel O. Agliam, 14 August 2002;
2. “Protection and Promotion of Overseas Filipino Workers Welfare: A Three-Pronged Approach”, P, Ross Q Quisao, 15 September 2001;
3. “Japanese Lifestyle”, Manabu Tanaka, 17 March 2001;
4. “Local Government Decentralization”, Victor Endriga, 19 August 2000;
5. “Sex and Gender in Politics”, Gladys P. Nalangan, 22 January 2000;
6. “Application of Autoregressive Models in Economics”, Luis F. Dumlao, 18 September 1999;
7. “US-China Security Concerns: the Rimland Theory Revisited”, Geraldo S. Petilla, 17 July 1999.

More recently a monthly luncheon forum was organized with the endorsement and approval of Lyceum President Atty. Roberto Laurel. A less formal forum than the Lecture Series, these monthly meetings started in November 2008 under the direction of CIR Dean Arcilla and moderated by Prof. Gil Santos, have brought together experts, professors, other faculty and students in lively interaction on the most prominent international and domestic issues, such as the US financial crisis, governance, corruption. overseas Filipino workers, etc.

Students from the College brought honor and recognition to the school with their participation in intra and inter-school competitions. Two CIR French classes qualified in the Inter-School Video Clip Production Competition during the La Journeee Inter-Universitaire de la Francophone sponsored by the Alliance Francaise on 20 March 2004. There were also students who won top honors in the Gawad Pluma’t Pandiwari (2003). Some were finalists in the Quiz Bee-General Information and International Affairs (2003 and 2004). One of the College’s French language students won second place in the French Language Song Contest (2003) sponsored by the Alliance Francaise. Another student won in the Inter-School Debate Competition (2003); another was First runner-up in the National Rizal Quiz Contest while another student was Second runner-up in the Inter-College Academic Contest in 2001. In SY 1998-99 first place was won in the Philippine Women Oratorical Contest and another student became Head Officer in the World Youth for Peace.

Scholarship and Travel Grants. Nerissa Barao was recipient of the Nihonggo Center Foundation Scholarship Grant (15 September 2001); one student was sent as Philippine Representative to the First ASEAN-Republic of Korea Youth Exchange Program (1998-89); and another was sent as Lyceum Representative to the Second National Youth Parliament the same year.

Members of the Faculty were representatives in various conferences and seminars held locally and abroad, most notable of which were the following:

1. Philippine-Iran Bilateral Conference on Dialogue Among Civilizations, Makati City, 4-6 August 2003;
2. “Ehem! Understanding Corruption & Changing Mindsets”, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, 7 July 2003;
3. Philippines-US-China Relations: Foreign Policy Issues and Economic Implications, Makati City, 3 July 2002;
4. Round Table Discussion on the Impact of the Post-September 11 US-led anti-Terrorism Campaign, 27 July 2002;
5. Third Workshop on Understanding Modern China for ASEAN Countries, China, 16-29 September 2002;
6. Official Observation Tour to China, 15-22 October 2002;
7. “Reconstructing Curriculum in Basic Education: The Critical Role of Teachers”, Philippine Normal University, 10 September 2001;
8. First Philippine Model United Nations Conference, Tagaytay City 23-25 February 2001; and
9. Fifth International Conference on Japanese Studies, Quezon City.

Faculty members were also consistent participants in the Japanese Language Teachers Seminar-Workshop sponsored by the Japan Foundation since 2001; Seminar for Teachers Teaching Spanish since 2001 sponsored by the Instituto Cervantes; and national Conferences of the Philippine Political Science Association of the Philippines since 2001.

The College sponsored the following symposia/lectures:

1. Philippine Foreign Relations, 26 June 2002;
2. Philippine Foreign Relations in a Global Society, 11 February 2002;
3. Cross-Cultural Protocol and Etiquette, 14 February 2002;
4. A Diplomatic Career Through the Foreign Service Officer Examination, 29 September 2000

Two faculty members authored books. They are: Dr. Victor Endriga, who wrote “Manila, Makati, Pasig and Local Government Taxation, First Edition”, and Prof. Juanito Donato, who wrote “Principles of Political Science” in 2000. Prof Donato’s book had been revised and used as textbook for students.

Linkages were established with the Georgetown University School of Foreign Services (2000-2001), the Aliance Francaise, the Instituto Cervantes, and the Chinese Embassy (1999-2000).

The College was a grantee of the 2001 Japanese-Language Teaching Materials Donation Program of the Japan Foundation.

The College celebrated its 50th anniversary during the College Week held from 16-20 February 2004 with the following activities: Foreign Languages Song Festival, Golden Anniversary Exhibit, Lecture-Forum on Philippine Culture, CIR-DTI-DFA Dialogue, Search for Future Diplomats, and Diplomats Ball during which the College honored Dr. Sotero H. Laurel as its Founding Dean.

More Travel Grants. Recently, CIR students were granted two separate travel grants by the Japanese Government under its Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) travel grants program. The first batch left for Japan on May 13, 2008 included five students: Jen Hans-Jo Dilag, Aveline Menor, Jayce Alexis Yu Shomura, Zarina Venzon and Rome Rangello Quiroz. The second batch left on May 20, 2008, was composed of Raissa dela Rama, Sherwin William Dimalanta, Arnette Joy Malatag, Jade Yuko Ogawa, and Ma. Monica Mamoyac. The JENESYS Programme, funded by the Japanese Government in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat seeks to deepen understanding of the different facets of the Japanese society including politics, diplomacy, economics and culture. It will promote solidarity among Asian countries and mutual understanding of the future generations of ASEAN and East Asia Summit countries.

Another group of CIR students were selected to participate in the India-ASEAN Students Tour Programme: Maricriz Cabai, Krista Erader, Francis Guiller Santos, Rome Rangelo Quiroz and Czarina Venzon. The programme took them to the following cities in India: Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Jaipur, Jamchedpur and Agra. The trip gave the students a deeper insight and better understanding of the life and culture of the people of this ancient civilization.

Since the establishment of the College, many of its graduates have taken and successfully passed the Foreign Service Officers (FSO) examination given by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The FSO examination is regarded as one, if not the toughest, government examinations. Almost all of them have reached the rank of ambassador. Others, numbering in the hundreds, have joined the administrative ranks of the Department. Many other CIR graduates became highly successful in other fields like politics, business and the mass media.

The CIR has a new College Secretary in the person of Ms. Maricel Abellera. She assumed the position on November 6, 2008 succeeding Mr. Nielo T. Domingo. Before Mr. Domingo the position was held by Ms. Jennifer D. Tucpi who has been promoted to the important position of Registrar of the Lyceum of the Philippines University. Ms. Abellera is not new to Lyceum. She worked for many years as senior staff member in the Registrar’s Office.

Volume 1 of the CIR Faculty Journal was published in May 2008 to further enhance efforts towards academic excellence. More specifically, this publication is intended to “acknowledge and project the potentials of the faculty members and the students, and encourage them to continually improve their professional competence and academic performance”. With Ms. Gladys P. Nalangan as editor, this first issue of the Journal provides a unique means of sharing knowledge, perspectives and insights into the variety of subjects discussed in the articles.

A new professorial chair in International Studies was established in the CIR. Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua, former Philippine ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, generously donated P200,000.

The College is participating in the University’s Research Project on Intramuros, that covers various aspects of community life in Intramuros, Kapayapaan, Kaayusan, Kalusugan, Kultura, and Kalinga. To accomplish the job, the Research Team has invited representatives from different colleges. The entire project is coordinated by the Lyceum Research Center. It is being undertaken as part of Lyceum’s campaign to achieve higher CHED status under the direction of Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Conrado Iñigo, Jr. The CIR is represented in the project by Department Chair Josue Villa and the College Secretary Maricel Abillera. They are assigned the topic “Peace and Order (Kapayapaan): an Evaluative Study.”

CIR College Day was held on December 4, 2008. To celebrate the day, photo exhibits by the different College organizations, including the Foreign Language Association, UNICEF and UNESCO clubs were held. A highlight of the activities was the Quiz Bee contest participated in by representatives from all the classes from 1st year to 4th year levels. The celebration was organized by the CIR Students Council led by its president.

On CIR’s initiative, a university-wide English oratorical contest took place on March 10, 2009 at the Jose P. Laurel Hall of the University. Two students from each of the seven colleges participated. A total of P50,000 in cash prizes were given to seven (7) finalists, with the winner receiving P20,000. As in the first competition held the year before within the College, the inter-college contest was sponsored by the headhunting firm KSearch Asia, Inc., headed by Managing Director Manuel Guilllermo.

Four recent CIR graduates have been employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs as staff assistants. Earlier, three were recruited by the Office of the Presidential Protocol in Malacanang.

To enable graduates to enter government service, Dean Arcilla started encouraging CIR students to take the Civil Service examination even before they graduate. Thirteen have since acquired professional eligibility.