PH Embassy in Amman Personnel Undergo 4-Day Training Workshop on Basic Diplomatic Protocol
AMMAN 08 April 2024 - The Philippine Embassy in Amman personnel held a retooling seminar on basic diplomatic protocol during the Holy Month of Ramadan in a 4-day series on March 25, 27, April 01, 03 at the Bayanihan Hall of the Chancery.
Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos who served as the DFA Chief of Protocol said in his opening remarks that having a good knowledge of protocol is important for diplomats, especially in carrying out their duties. Protocol teaches us the fundamental rules on precedence, order, arrangements, and prevents misunderstandings, embarrassments, and most especially ignorance, Ambassador Santos remarked.
"Looking back in my career in foreign service, my training, experience, and knowledge of protocol enabled me to handle the visits of three Secretaries for Foreign Affairs - Blas Ople, Delia Domingo Albert, and Alberto G. Romulo; to be involved in various presidential and ministerial, official and state visits both in the Philippines and abroad; and to serve as resource speaker on the subject," the Ambassador added.
Ambassador Santos received the Order of Lakandula, which was conferred to him by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for his services as Philippine Liaison Officer to Japan during the Philippines hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2007.
The two resource speakers for the training workshop on the basic protocol were Administrative Officer John Jiao, Jr. and Communication Officer Allan G. Oseo, Jr., who both served as protocol officers under the two most active divisions—Socials Division and Ceremonials Divisions—in the Office of the Protocol (OP) at the DFA Home Office.
Mr. John Jiao, Jr. served in the Socials Division in OP and was previously involved in presidential visits to San Francisco and the 2015 Papal Visit to the Philippines where he served as the close in Transportation Officer for Pope Francis. He was also involved in the preparations and actual conduct of President Ferdinand Marcos' Inauguration in 2022.
Mr. Allan Oseo, Jr. served in the Ceremonials Division and was involved in various official and ministerial visits to the Philippines as well as attending to Secretary Enrique Manalo.
The Embassy personnel were introduced to various discussions on social activities such as event and venue requirements, table set-up, seating arrangements, invitations, dress code and table manners.
The Embassy personnel also engaged in lively discussions, a Q&A portion and simulation workshop sessions on table setting, seating arrangements, courtesy call, reception line, and signing ceremony. END