Spanish presence in PHL tackled in Madrid lecture

Jose Rodriguez, former Manila director of the Instituto Cervantes of Manila, a non-profit organization created by the Spanish government, recently delivered a lecture in Madrid, Spain on "The Presence of Galicia in the Philippines." Rodriguez, who co-wrote with Lino Dizzon a book entitled "Cruceiro Spanish Galicia at some Crossroads in Philippine History and Culture (1521-1898)," delivered the lecture on March 7 at the Casa Galicia in Madrid.   In a news release, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said: "In his lecture, Mr. Rodriguez noted historical figures from Galicia who left their mark on the Philippines." "These historical figures included Governor General Gomez Perez das Mariñas, who ordered the construction of the walls of Intramuros and the Manila Cathedral, Jose Felipe Delpan, who was considered as the dean of journalists in the Philippines in the 19th century, and the three Gallegos, who were part of the 33 Spaniards known collectively as the 'Ultimos de Filipinas' of the Siege of Baler," the DFA said. Those who organized the lecture were Casa Galicia and the Board of Galicia.   The guests at the lecture included:  

• Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas
• Real Academia Española Secretary Dario Villanueva, and
• Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española Secretary-General Humberto Lopez Morales.

  Galicia, home to 2.79 million inhabitants, is one of 17 autonomous communities in Spain.  It includes four provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra. - VVP, GMA News