Inside Track

Spanish journalist and writer Jose ‘Pepe’ Rodriguez (center) recently launched his sixth book – Breaking Barriers, Creating Communities/Southeast Asia and ASEAN: An Introduction – at the Raffles Hotel in Makati City. Joining him are Pablo Martinez Echevarria, president of Global Center of International Studies, and Francisco Paco Aziz, president of the Asian Union International Center.

Veteran Spanish journalist and writer Jose “Pepe” Rodriguez recently launched his sixth book, Breaking Barriers Creating Communities/Southeast Asia and ASEAN: An Introduction. It presents basic information on the geographical, historical and present-day landscapes of the region and is intended to help raise awareness and understanding of Southeast Asia and ASEAN.

The book, written in cooperation with Filipino journalist Virgilio Galvez, is an introduction to a dynamic region which is home to some 630 million people who have only come to know each other better in the latter part of the past century.

Sponsoring the publication and book launch were both presidents of Spanish think tanks Global Center of International Studies (GCIS) Pablo Martinez Echevarria and Francisco Paco Aziz of Asian Union International Center (AUIC) from Madrid.

The book chronicles the end of Empire and the birthing of nations after World War Two, as well as the founding of ASEAN, and focuses on the association’s pivotal role in shaping Southeast Asia’s present and future.

It also provides a layman’s narrative of the rise of indigenous kingdoms and sultanates in the region and their fateful encounters with western powers.

In a message in the book, President Duterte said that “understanding the origin and evolution of (ASEAN) will enable us to appreciate the value of its mission and goals… let this book serve as an informative and powerful material that highlights how unity and mutual respect can pave the way for dynamic partnerships among our nations.”

Rodriguez is a former bureau chief for Asia and the Pacific of the international Spanish News Agency EFE and director of the Instituto Cervantes. He is currently associate publisher of PeopleAsia magazine.

He is also the author of Cronicas, Philippine First Ladies Portraits, Front Pages of Philippine History.

The book boasts of an introduction by former president Fidel Ramos, who praises the author for “having the audacity to put out a book that surely enhances the awareness and raises the level of understanding among ‘Aseans’ in this momentous period in our shared history.”