DFA shows media how to deal with foreign dignitaries

Be prim and proper in dealing with officials from international communities, a Department of Foreign Affairs official has urged media practitioners yesterday.

Angel H. Espiritu II, protocol officer at the office of Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto, briefed the editors, reporters, photographers and other staff of The Freeman and Banat News, as well as selected students and faculty members of the University of the Visayas during a half-day seminar on diplomatic, official and social protocol held at the school's library yesterday morning.

The activity, which was requested by The Freeman editor-in-chief Jerry S. Tundag through Benedicto's office, was held in preparation for the upcoming 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

As part of the diplomatic protocol, Espiritu said that officials and dignitaries who would attend the event should be extended honor, courtesy and respect due them.

He also gave lecture on how to dress and act when with top officials of the ASEAN, and the proper way to address them during official functions and interviews.

For his part, Tundag thanked Espiritu and the office of the DFA undersecretary for educating journalists, students and teachers about the proper way to deal with foreign dignitaries.

The 10-member ASEAN, in which The Philippines is a founding member, will hold its summit in Cebu on December 11 to 14.

Other countries that are members of the association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The heads of state and other top officials of these countries, as well as of some other nations with interest in the region are expected to attend the event. - Wenna A. Berondo