Interview with Ambassador of Philippines in Mexico, Eduardo José A. de Vega

What has been your agenda and goals as the current Philippine Ambassador to Mexico?

My main goal has been to reinvigorate the special relations between the Filipino and Mexican peoples, dating back centuries when the ports of Manila and Acapulco were linked through the historic Galleon Trade, called the Galeón de Manila in Mexico, where there was a very impressive and significant exchange of goods and products, ideas, cultural manifestations, and yes, people, between Asia and the Americas. 

I would like to help both Filipinos and Mexicans realize all the more that theirs is a shared history, and that the exchanges between them contributed greatly in creating their modern nations. But at the same time, I wish to move the relations forward, so that Mexico and the Philippines would each consider each other their gateway to the other’s region.

What are the main similarities between Mexico and the Philippines?

The first 250 or so years of Spanish colonization of the Philippine archipelago actually was being administered not directly from Spain but through the Viceroyalty of New Spain, here in Mexico, before Mexico became independent. That is why a lot of the Spanish traditions in the Philippines actually came from Mexico. 

Note our colonial architecture and clearly, the Philippines’ Catholic Churches show a lot more Mexican influences rather than direct European influences from Spain.    

And because of the Spanish and American influences in the Philippines, the average Filipino is a southeast Asian who is religiously Catholic, very family-oriented, a proud defender of his nation and his individual freedoms, proud of his native culture but also fond of many things typically American (such as their food, movies and sports) and one who works hard but also knows the value of enjoying life. Note that I might as well have been describing the Mexican people!  

Also, while there are few Filipinos who still speak Spanish fluently, a Hispanohablante will easily note that the sound or accent of a Spanish-speaking Filipino is somewhat closer to that of a Mexican than to a Spaniard. That includes myself, actually!

What do you like most about this country?

There is so much to like about this country, of course. Aside from its similarities with the Philippines, I like its universality: the fact that it is a country in the Americas that shares a long history with both the Old World as well as the Asia-Pacific region. And also, the diversity of its landscapes. You could see anything you want to see. Beaches? Rainforests? Desert? Mountains? Pre-colonial temples or colonial architecture? Or something more modern? Mexico has all of them.   

And I am not even mentioning its great culture and food!

What advice would you give to Mexican people?

Well, one message I wish to provide the Mexicans is this: we know they are proud of their history and culture, but one thing they must learn more of is their connection to Asia and the Pacific, through the Galeón de Manila. And through that, they will see: while Mexicans fear that walls are being built or doors being closed to them elsewhere, we Filipinos and all Asians WANT to INCREASE our engagement with Mexico! We would WELCOME more Mexican commerce and tourism and investment and cultural exchanges. 

We should not at all be seen as a far-off, unknown and exotic place, but something quite dear to the hearts of all Mexicans who value their great history. One of the greatest Mexican writers ever was the Nobel Prize Winner Octavo Paz, a former Mexican Ambassador to India. If Mexicans would read his book “In Light of India” (“Vislumbres de la India” in Spanish), they would note how Octavio Paz himself noted this great contribution of Asia in the formation of the modern Mexican nation. 

If you could be the Mexican president for one day, what would you do?

I wouldn’t dare at all to suggest that I would be able to do a better job than any of the dedicated men (and perhaps in the future, women), who have held the title of President of the United Mexican States. But one thing I would like to say in this regard, if I suddenly awoke as the current Mexican President, a lot of Filipino ladies would be happy: when we hosted the APEC summit in 2015, President Enrique Pe?a Nieto topped a local poll for who they considered the best-looking APEC leader!

With the Trump presidency, will Philippine-Mexican relations be better or worse and why?

I would like to think that our state of relations would not depend on who holds the presidency in Washington. The Philippines and Mexico should continue to strengthen their relations irrespective of the policies of the USA.

However, as I said earlier, current realities actually provide our countries with this opportunity to truly explore greater ways to enhance our commercial and other ties. The Philippines actually is the recipient of the largest amount of Mexican investments in Southeast Asia, through FEMSA and CEMEX. But we still need to improve our total trade relations, with our total trade amounting to less than 1 billion dollars annually, and heavily favoring the Philippines. 

As Mexico seeks to diversify and explore new markets due to what is happening north of the border, the Philippines should be considered as an emerging market for Mexico, and the most logical choice as Mexico’s gateway to Asia and specifically, the ASEAN market, with the Philippines serving as ASEAN Chair for the year 2017.

Furthermore, Mexico and the Philippines have always been among those nations spearheading the international crusade for the protection of migrants, and I would expect cooperation in this issue to once again be prominent in our agenda.

What are the common causes the US, Mexico and the Philippines can work towards?

We hope that the three great countries can cooperate towards promoting the rule of law in international relations and peaceful settlement of disputes. And since all these countries are multicultural and multi-ethnic societies, we should serve as examples to the world of how countries can actually be united in diversity, with people of various faiths and ethnicities treating each other as brothers and sisters. This would greatly alleviate much of the strife which so sadly exists in many parts of the world. 

Agustin Carstens departure effect?

I am glad to note that in our recent talks and roundtables with Mexican businessmen and businesswomen on trade opportunities with the Philippines, not one has mentioned the departure of Mr. Carstens at all. I do not expect it therefore to have an impact, positive or negative, and we are glad.

What is your goal in the near future regarding political relations between Philippines and Mexico?

After the successful visit of President Pe?a Nieto to the Philippines in 2015, I certainly hope to be able to arrange a similar visit to Mexico of Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who will certainly be able to learn much from Mexico in various fields such as tourism promotion and infrastructure development, which are among his government’s main goals. One of the most recognizable Filipinos among Mexicans is our great boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, now a Philippine Senator. He was a frequent Mexico visitor but before, but who knows? The next time, he may be joining the President’s delegation and be visiting Mexico this time as a legislator of the Republic of the Philippines.   

But whatever happens, the Philippine Embassy in Mexico is committed to exerting only our best efforts to strengthen our special ties. Perhaps the day will come when both peoples will universally consider each other as sister nations. That will always be a dream of mine.