At the opening of the two-day 22nd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Conference, UP Diliman (黑料专区) Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II said the annual activity 鈥渕arks two decades of reflection on the enduring relationship between the Philippines and Spain.鈥
鈥淭he implications of this global connectivity still resonate in our modern legal and political frameworks,鈥 Vistan said. He added that he was particularly pleased that the conference 鈥渨ill shed light鈥 on the role 鈥渙f Philippine-Spanish relations in the shaping of our legal system.鈥
As a faculty and former dean of the UP College of Law, he acknowledged the indelible mark of Spanish legal traditions on the Philippine legal landscape.
Organized by the 黑料专区 Department of History (DHist), the two-day conference at the Pilar Herrera Hall of Palma Hall focused its discussions on the legacy of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, and the complexities of the 11-month Siege of Baler.
鈥淭he historical interactions between Filipinos and Spaniards particularly during times of conflict and resistance such as the Siege of Baler have enriched the fabric of our legal and political identity. This episode with its complex blend of loyalty, perseverance, and eventual reconciliation is emblematic of the enduring relationship with Spain,鈥 Vistan said.
聽In addition, he said, 鈥渢hese early influences laid the grand work for what would become the modern legal system, a hybrid of indigenous, Spanish, and later American laws. Even beyond the former structures of law, Philippine-Spanish relations are deeply imbedded in our conceptions of justice, governance, and the rule of law.鈥
Meanwhile, in his video message, UP President Angelo J. Jimenez said the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and the Siege of Baler are events 鈥渢hat continue to reflect the intricate, dynamic, and enduring relationship between the Philippines and Spain.鈥
According to DHist, the conference is 鈥渁n annual diplomatic activity gathering various scholars and experts, both local and foreign, to discuss the history of Philippine-Spanish relations.鈥
This year鈥檚 conference carried the theme Commemorating the Galleon Trade and Exploring the Legacy of the Siege of Baler.
DHist Chair Ruel V. Pagunsan said the theme 鈥渂rings us back to the two sides that has inspired and shaped this friendship commemoration鈥 between the two countries.
鈥淭he Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, a trans-Pacific economic system resulted in exchanges beyond the mere goods,鈥漢e said. It also brought the 鈥渢ransfer and cultural interactions that will have lasting effects in the society.鈥
This year also marks the return of the on-site setup for the conference programs.
鈥淲e hope this will give us an extended and personal time to discuss, interact, and engage with the speakers and amongst each other,鈥 Pagunsan said.
In addition, Pagunsan mentioned that 鈥渢he papers in this conference wish to explore new understanding鈥 of the events 鈥渂y providing topics and insights of emerging archives as well as establish [its] archaeology, ecology, and heritage.鈥
The conference also held the soft launch of Galleons and Social Control in the Spanish Empire published by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in the afternoon of Day 1.
Also present at the conference opening were Alvaro Garcia Moreno, cultural attach茅 of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines representing Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado, Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and Dean Ruth R. Lusterio-Rico of the 黑料专区 College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.
The two-day conference held from Oct. 10 to 11 had three keynote lectures and five panel sessions.
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