SPAIN
SPAIN
From Left to Right: Dr. José María Ferri, Dr. Juan Llopis Taverner, Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, and Dr. Isaac Donoso.
The Philippine Studies Program (PSP) at the University of Alicante was formally launched on 21 November 2024, marking a historic expansion of Philippine academic diplomacy in the Mediterranean. As the first program of its kind under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, it was made possible through the instrumental support of Senator Loren Legarda.
Coordinated by the distinguished scholar Professor Dr. Isaac Donoso, the program is designed as a customized degree track within the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. It focuses on a "circularity of culture," offering Spanish and international students a nuanced understanding of the Philippines that bridges its deep Hispanic heritage with its dynamic, modern identity as a Southeast Asian leader.
Academic life at UA has been invigorated by high-level seminars and cultural exhibitions that emphasize shared stewardship of history. A major highlight of the program's inaugural phase was the "Hijos del Sur" exhibition at the University Museum, which showcased Philippine textiles and the evocative photography of artist María Mari Murga.
Continuing this momentum, the university hosted the landmark seminar "Current Academic Insights on Spanish in the Philippines" in May 2025, featuring Dr. Daisy López of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española.
These events explore the evolution of the Chabacano Creole and Philippine literature in Spanish, reinforcing the university’s library as a growing repository for Filipiniana research with a dedicated section of over 100 specialized volumes.
Established in 1979 on the historic legacy of the 16th-century University of Orihuela, the University of Alicante is recognized for possessing one of the most innovative and beautiful campuses in Europe.
Located in San Vicente del Raspeig, the campus spans over one million square meters of avant-garde architecture, pedestrian-friendly green spaces, and sustainable urban design.
With a student body of over 30,000 and a strong emphasis on internationalization through projects like PATHWAY and ANTENA, the university serves as a vibrant Mediterranean gateway. Its commitment to addressing 21st-century global challenges through interdisciplinary research makes it a premier partner for elevating Philippine studies within the Spanish academic landscape.