Assistant Professor John Paul P. Mondejar, Director of the International Relations Office (IRO) of the University of San Agustin (USA), paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Holy See, during his visit to Rome to participate in the 2026 Villanova International Sustainability Conference, held from 12 to 15 October 2026.
The courtesy call provided an opportunity to convey greetings and express appreciation for Ambassador Lotilla’s service in representing the Philippines before the Holy See. It also underscored the importance of strengthening connections between Philippine higher education institutions and the country’s diplomatic community.
Director Mondejar expressed particular pride in meeting Ambassador Lotilla, who hails from Antique, a neighboring province of Iloilo on Panay Island, where the University of San Agustin is based. Their meeting highlighted their shared regional roots and their respective commitments to service and representation on the international stage.
The engagement also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and the Holy See, as well as the University of San Agustin’s connection to this diplomatic presence. The Embassy of the Philippines to the Holy See is located on property owned by the Order of St. Augustine, reflecting the enduring ties between the Catholic Church, the Augustinian community, and the Philippines. In this context, the courtesy call affirmed the University’s commitment to fostering meaningful links among Philippine institutions, the Augustinian tradition, and the country’s diplomatic mission to the Holy See.
The visit further reflects the University of San Agustin’s continuing commitment to internationalization, global partnerships, and meaningful participation in conversations that advance academic cooperation, intercultural understanding, and sustainable development.
SDG: 16, 17
