Pepe Rodriguez launches 6th book: ‘Breaking Barriers’ @ Raffles Hotel
MANILA, Philippines — Veteran Spanish journalist and writer Jose “Pepe” Rodriguez launched his sixth book entitled “Breaking Barriers: Creating Communities (Southeast Asia and ASEAN: An Introduction)” last March 12 at the Writers Bar, Raffles Hotel in Makati City.
Rustan Commercial Corp. president Donnie Tantoco, Rustan Commercial Corp. chairman emeritus Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. and People Asia editor-in- chief and STAR Allure editor Joanne Rae Ramirez
The book, written in cooperation with Filipino journalist Virgilio Galvez, is an introduction to a dynamic region which is home to some 630 million people who have only come to know each other better in the latter part of the past century. The book chronicles the birthing of nations after World War II, as well as the founding of the Asean, and focuses on its pivotal role in shaping Southeast Asia’s present and future.
Amb. Wilfrido Villacorta, Atty. Mike Toledo, former VP Jejomar Binay, Gen. Roberto Lastimoso, Pepe Rodríguez, Coronel Austria, Manila 1st District Rep. Ernesto Dionisio and Mariano Cordero of PMA ’67
It also provides a layman’s narrative of the rise of indigenous kingdoms and sultanates in the region and their fateful encounters with Western powers. Photos by Bening Batuigas
