Heroes Beyond Borders: A Dialogue with Foreign Ambassadors
“Heroes Beyond Borders” was not merely a conversation between two nations, but a living dialogue between the past and present, calling on students to become courageous custodians of history and champions of justice in their own communities.
On April 29, 2025, the University of the Philippines Manila opened its doors to an afternoon of reflection, diplomacy, and shared history through “Heroes Beyond Borders: A Dialogue with Foreign Ambassadors.” Held at Room 302 of Rizal Hall. The event marked the third installment of a student-led forum series organized by the PI 100 TFE2 class under the guidance of Professor Bernard Karganilla. The forum cast a spotlight on two towering figures of principled resistance: Dr. José Rizal and President Ho Chi Minh.
In his opening remarks, Professor Karganilla framed the dialogue as a meeting of minds and missions, where people draw parallels from heroes whose influence defies borders and whose moral courage remains instructive today. Dr. Ma. Teresa De Guzman, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, affirmed this point by emphasizing the lasting importance of dialogue across generations and cultures in forging mutual understanding among nations.
The event featured His Excellency Lại Thái Bình, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Philippines, as the keynote speaker. In his address, Ambassador Bình reflected on the foundational values that Rizal and Ho Chi Minh espoused, such as humility, intellectual rigor, and principled leadership, and how these continue to resonate with contemporary struggles for national development. He recounted Vietnam’s long struggle for independence and emphasized the vital role of young people in shaping the future: “To move forward, we must understand the past.”
A key segment of the program was the open forum, during which students were afforded the opportunity to engage the Ambassador through a series of carefully considered questions. The dialogue presented a high level of intellectual curiosity and critical engagement, as students inquired about the enduring impact of Ho Chi Minh’s leadership on contemporary Vietnamese society, the evolving role of diplomacy in Southeast Asia, and the responsibilities of youth in upholding democratic and nationalist ideals.
In his closing reflections, Ambassador Bình called on students to be both intellectually curious and socially grounded. He recounted Ho Chi Minh’s early life as a worker, traveler, and student of the world, before rising to national leadership. His message asserted the idea that personal discipline, humility, and education are foundational to meaningful leadership.
The forum concluded with closing remarks from student representative Roseth Liann Cacacho, who called on her fellow students to live out the spirit of these two heroes by embodying the values of justice, inclusion, and global citizenship in their own communities.
Photo courtesy to PI 100 TFE2 Class
