About

Throughout the years, the Philippines expands its relations with the international community by setting up embassies and consulates general around the world. As of 2024, the country has diplomatic and / or consular presence in ninety four (94) cities overseas. These foreign service posts (or what DFA personnel refer to as FSPs) serve as mirror representations of the Philippines in their host countries.

In the course of fulfilling their mission to promote and protect our country’s political, economic and cultural interests abroad, FSPs have also become havens for a remarkable collection of Philippine art.

The importance of art in diplomacy cannot be overemphasized. From masterful brush strokes to the sculptor’s touch, the photographer’s eye, the artist’s sketch, and the storyteller’s voice, the many forms of art foster deeper cultural understanding and connection.

This website is not only an attempt to catalogue the DFA’s art collection. It also seeks to invite its reader to discover the vibrant tapestry of Philippine art. This online gallery will permanently house these treasures, ensuring accessibility for generations to come.

Join us on this visual adventure as we celebrate Filipino artistry and its invaluable role in public and cultural diplomacy. May the stories behind these artworks inspire you to continue discovering the rich cultural heritage and traditions of our nation.

“The Colors of Diplomacy: A Register of Artworks in the Department of Foreign Affairs” showcases the immense collection of artworks owned by the Department, including those mounted and displayed in its Foreign Service Posts

This publication also captures the Philippines’ diplomatic history and rich cultural heritage. Over time, the Department was able to gather a collection of priceless artworks created by renowned Filipino artists who are based abroad or who may be visiting at the time the works were commissioned or donated. These works are testaments of Filipino ingenuity and creativity as they feature the thoughts and emotions, available materials and influences of the artists’ adopted country and their motherland.

To be able to reach a wider audience, the artworks featured in this coffee table book will be available in a database and in an online registry, which will periodically be updated by the DFA Archives to host, not just the artworks included in the current coffee table book, but of future submissions from Philippine embassies, consulates and missions.

I take this opportunity to commend the men and women of the Office of Asset Management and Support Services (OAMSS), the Office of Cultural Diplomacy (OCD) and the Office of Public Diplomacy (OPD) for their efforts to finally complete this long awaited curatorial project.

Preserving the Department’s artworks collected throughout the years from various sources and diplomatic exchanges and securing them regardless of commercial value should be the responsibility of each member of the foreign service.

Allow me to convey sincere thanks and appreciation to the team that make up our foreign service posts for their contributions in making this project a reality.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, one of the first government departments created following the establishment of the First Philippine Republic in 1989, has a vast collection of artworks acquired through the years from various diplomatic exchanges. Through the power of art, our nation’s story may be shared, celebrated and cherished by generations to come. This will ensure the preservation of our heritage and reinforce diplomatic excellence.

The publication of “The Colors of Diplomacy: A Register of Artworks in the Department of Foreign Affairs” aims to showcase the artistic legacy of our nation to foster cultural diplomacy and mutual understanding to enhance diplomatic relations with other nations through the universal language of art.

The accompanying online gallery will also serve as a resource for research and education that could be made accessible to researchers and the general public to have an appreciation of our artistic, cultural and diplomatic heritage.

I would like to congratulate the tireless men and women of the Office of Asset Management and Support Services (OAMSS), the Office of Cultural Diplomacy (OCD) and the Office of Public Diplomacy OPD) for coming up with this comprehensive collection of government-owned artworks held by the Department.

I was working under a former Undersecretary for Administration when I first heard of a plan to make an inventory of artworks in all Philippine embassies and consulates general. This was an idea raised by an official of the National Museum who was very fascinated with the extensive yet still-to-be-documented art collection of the Department.

And so when the Office of Asset Management and Support Services expressed their willingness to collaborate with was then the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy on creating a database for the Department’s art collection, I did not hesitate to say yes. After all, part of public diplomacy work is to strengthen the Department’s brand and image to its audiences. I am optimistic that this book and its future editions will only but strengthen the Department’s long-standing and active role in promoting and preserving our country’s cultural assets.

After months of meetings, deadlines and endless exchanges of communications, I would like to congratulate the members of the team who are mostly from OAMSS’s Archives Section. They are the ones who really worked the hardest in bringing this project to fruition. I could not be more proud of being a part of this pioneering endeavor.

Philippine art has always been a source of pride for the Filipino. Through the many art forms that we create, we show our appreciation for our culture, traditions and history. It is a medium where we tell our stories.

This book endeavors to catalog the existing collection of art works found in our Foreign Service Posts around the world. The collection, which ranges from the classic to the modern, by famous as well as still unknown artists, represents the many facets of Philippine art. These works depict Philippine art in their traditional as well as in their modern and innovative forms.

In my many years in the Foreign Service, I have witnessed how art can be a vehicle to reveal the character of the Filipino people. In publishing the book, Colors of Diplomacy, we hope to continue the tradition of documenting our past, present and future as a people and as a nation through art, in its many forms and manifestations.

It is with great pride that we present this “Colors of Diplomacy” publication, a comprehensive catalogue of government-owned artworks housed within our embassies and consulates across the globe. This book serves a dual purpose: firstly, as a register of the extensive art collection of the Philippine Foreign Service, and secondly, as a platform to showcase some of the most captivating masterpieces from the collection, works that embody the essence of our nation’s artistic landscape.

Beyond their primary function as diplomatic and consular offices, our foreign service posts also serve as cultural outposts showcasing a sampling of Philippine art and culture. Art pieces proudly displayed in the lobbies and hallways of our embassies and consulates serve as windows into the Filipino soul, revealing our rich history, cherished values, and the boundless creativity that defines our people.

Within these pages, you will encounter a portion of that collection specifically curated to reflect the diverse tapestry of artistic styles and movements that contribute to the distinctive identity of the Philippines. We present in this volume a spectrum of works, from those by our esteemed National Artists and established masters to those done by the rising artists within the Philippine diaspora.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank our DFA Archives team at the Office of Asset Management and Support Services (OAMSS) for their dedication and hard work in compiling this catalogue and its online companion website.

My sincerest appreciation also goes out to the Heads of Post, Cultural Officers and Property Officers of the embassies and consulates that actively participated in this project.

Whether you are a seasoned art enthusiast or simply embarking on a journey to discover the artistic essence of our nation, this book extends a warm invitation. Discover the captivating collective art collection of the Philippine Foreign Service, a powerful testament to the enduring power of art in fostering cultural understanding, advancing international diplomacy, and forging stronger relationships with our global partners.