ESU Philippines Launched Nov. 21

The English-Speaking Union of the Philippines, Inc. was formally launched on November 21, 2005 at the De las Alas Room of the Yuchengco Center in Makati City, with the Lord Watson of Richmond, CBE, ESU International Chairman Emeritus, as guest of honor.

Lord Watson was accompanied by Mrs. Valerie Mitchell, OBE, ESU Director General, and several other ESU members from the United Kingdom and other countries. They were met and hosted by ESU Philippines officers led by former Ambassador Cesar B. Bautista, Dr. Jose Dalisay Jr., Mr. Alfred Yuson, Atty. Katrina Legarda, Mrs. Erlinda Panlilio, and Dr. Ma. Luz Vilches.

The launching was the highlight of several days of activities designed to focus on the ESU, an international organization founded at the end of the First World War with the aim of promoting closer ties between English-speaking peoples.

Last Friday, November 18, a symposium on “Engagement with English: The Philippine Experience” was held at the Ateneo de Manila University, with Lord Watson delivering the keynote address on “The Asian and International Dimensions of English.” His talk was followed by brief presentations on English in the Philippines by Director Gill Westaway of the British Council, Dr. Isagani Cruz of Far Eastern University, and Dr. Ma. Luz Vilches of the AdMU.

In that same program, Lord Watson was presented with “The Loyola Schools Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Promotion of English.” Lord Watson is Chairman of Burson Marsteller Europe and Chairman of CTN (Corporate Television Networks). He advises many major UK and international companies on their communication strategies and is Chairman of the Coca-Cola European Advisory Board.

Key government and business leaders attended the ESU launch on the 21st, which was expected to spur efforts to improve the teaching and use of English in Philippine education and in the workplace.

Most Filipinos first heard of the ESU in 2004, when University of the Philippines sophomore Patricia Evangelista emerged champion in the International Public Speaking Competition in London, conducted by the ESU.

Since its founding, the ESU has grown into a worldwide organization operating in more than 50 countries, creating international understanding through the use of the English language. It was founded by Sir Evelyn Wrench and one of its first chairmen was Sir Winston Churchill.