The University of Santo Tomas hosted the VII Jornadas de ELE Manila, a two-day academic conference held on October 24 and 25, 2025, at the Central Laboratory Auditorium.
This conference fostered exchange and collaboration among Spanish language educators in the Philippines. The event brought together teachers, students, and advocates to share insights, best practices, and innovative approaches in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE).
Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, Secretary-General of the University, delivered the welcome remarks. He highlighted UST’s deep historical ties with Spain, emphasizing that the University’s royal insignia—tracing its roots to the Spanish crown—symbolizes a legacy of gratitude and cultural connection that Thomasians proudly uphold.
The event was graced by H.E. Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado of Spain, H.E. Ambassador Edgar Rodrigo Rojas Garavito of Colombia, and H.E. Ambassador Eduardo Antonio Young Virzi of Panama. Ambassadors from Spain and Colombia delivered messages of support and appreciation for the continued promotion of Spanish language education in the Philippines.
Members of the diplomatic corps, university officials, academicians, Spanish language
educators, and guests also attended the gathering.
Other notable speakers during the opening ceremony included Mr. Leandro Waisman (Deputy
Head of Mission, Argentina), Mr. Pedro Pizarro (Deputy Head of Mission, Chile), Mr. Marcos
Octavio Vara (Cultural Attaché, Mexico), Dr. Jerome T. Buenviaje (Department of Education),
Mr. Paul Vincent Mercado (Ayala Foundation), and Mr. José Ignacio Urquijo, Administrator of
Instituto Cervantes Manila, who delivered a message on behalf of Mr. Francisco Javier López
Tapia, its Director.
Throughout the opening ceremony, the speakers underscored the importance of collaboration,
innovation, and promoting the Spanish language and culture within Philippine education.
This year’s Jornadas carried the theme “Planificación de clases, secuenciación de contenidos y
recursos didácticos” focusing on creative strategies and effective practices for teaching ELE.
On the second day, Prof. Melanie D. Turingan, Ph.D., Dean of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters, delivered the closing remarks. She emphasized the power of collaboration in advancing Spanish language and cultural education in the country, expressing her gratitude and pride that UST hosted this year’s Jornadas. Mr. Francisco Javier López Tapia, Director of Instituto Cervantes Manila, also conveyed his appreciation to the organizers, UST, and all participants for their collective efforts in making the event a success.
The VII Jornadas de ELE Manila was organized by the Department of Modern Languages led by its Chair, Asst. Prof. Royce Randall G. Lim, together with UP Diliman’s Department of European Languages, Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Modern Languages, Instituto Cervantes Manila, and the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines. It reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Philippine universities and international institutions to strengthen Spanish language education and foster intercultural understanding across communities.