Ambassador Quintana shares insights on diplomacy at Silliman University

Philippine Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (front, center right) meets with Dr. Margaret Helen U. Alvarez (front, center left), Silliman University (SU) interim vice president for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR); Asst. Prof. Johanna A. Diago, School of Public Affairs and Governance (SPAG) Foreign Affairs chair; and SPAG students at the SU Boardroom Annex.

H.E. Philippine Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana visited Silliman University (SU) on November 29, 2024, engaging students of School and Public Affairs Governance (SPAG) in discussions about her experiences in foreign service.

Drawing from her diplomatic career in Beijing, Washington, Dublin, Muscat, and Abu Dhabi, Amb. Quintana emphasized that being an ambassador requires passion, character, and innovation to navigate challenges effectively.

One of her notable achievements was expanding Philippines-UAE relations beyond labor migration. During her tenure in the United Arab Emirates, she played a key role in forging a space cooperation agreement between the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the UAE Space Agency (UAESA). Signed on December 5, 2022, the agreement covers space research, data mobilization, and exploration, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Now serving as the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to ASEAN, Amb. Quintana continues to advocate for resilience and continuous learning in diplomacy. She encouraged students to embrace challenges, refine their skills, and adapt to new opportunities in serving national interests.

Quintana, Diago, and SPAG students pose outside the SU Hall to culminate their campus tour.