The Philippines’ foremost scholar and expert on international-affairs studies, foreign policy and relations has agreed to write a column for the www.mabuhayradio.com. Our new columnist will write an occasional series of articles that he intends to call “Global Conversations with Prof. Jose David Lapuz.” This online publication will eventually publish a book containing his articles and essays.

Professor Lapuz was the guest speaker last Wednesday of a community forum sponsored by the Media Breakfast Club (MBC) of Los Angeles, California. The forum was held at the Social Hall of the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Temple Street. The MBC function was cosponsored by the FACLA, the Knights of Rizal and the Ladies of Rizal.

It was the sixth appearance of Professor Lapuz in the MBC. He first spoke at an MBC breakfast forum in 1994 and then in 1995. Then he started to make an annual lecture starting in 2004. During his May 30, 2007, talk at the MBC’s 877th function, he talked about his activities in the UNESCO as a Filipino High Commissioner, Philippine politics and the Knights of Rizal. Sir Jose D. Lapuz is also one of the country’s most-distinguished and most-renowned authorities on “The Life and Great Works of Dr. Jose Rizal,” the Philippines’ foremost national hero. Even his fellow Knights of Rizal gave him the sobriquet “Rizalista de Vanguardia.”

He has been teaching at the Dominican-run Pontifical University of Santos Tomas (UST) in Manila, Philippines, for some three decades now. Professor Lapuz received in 2001 and 2002 the highest award of the university, the “Dangal ng UST” (UST Honor) for his “dedicated service, deep devotion and steadfast fidelity to the commitment of the UST to education.”

To read more of the academic background and experience of Professor Lapuz, readers may click on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_David_Lapuz

Professor Lapuz said also that he would encourage the students at the UST to subscribe to the MabuhayRadio, so as to participate in his “Global Conversations” about the subjects that he teaches. The subjects are International Relations and Comparative Politics & Political Theory; Global Issues, Philippine Government and Constitution; and Rizal Course.

At the UNESCO, he serves not only as a High Commissioner representing the Philippines but also as the only Filipino member of the Paris, France-based International Advisory Committee on Human Rights and Poverty.

Professor Lapuz writes also a column for the Manila Bulletin newspaper of the Philippines. He becomes only the fourth columnist of the www.MabuhayRadio.com – after this writer, Jesse Jose (of Seattle, Washington), and former Lt. Governor S. B. Woo, Ph.D., of the Great State of Delaware.

Mabuhay, Professor Lapuz. Welcome to the MabuhayRadio Dream Team. # # #