Abstract: Opening Spiel by Host

Ms. Mary Donna Grace J. Cuenca: To our University President, Fr. Joel E. Tabora of the Society of Jesus, to our Center for Politis and International Relations (CPIA) Director, Ms. Rhisan Mae Morales, to the Dean of the School of Business and Governance (SBG), Dr. Jenner Chan, and of course, to our guest speaker, Prof. Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, students, my fellow teachers, we welcome you all to this afternoon’s event, brought to us by the CPIA with the theme, Beyond roads and seas: The trajectory of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the current Philippine reality. At this juncture, may we request everyone to please stand for the invocation to be given to us by Ms. Krizza Janica Mahinay, a faculty of the International Studies Department, and thereafter please remain standing for the singing of the Philippine national anthem.

Talk Proper by Prof. Lucio Pitlo

Thank you Father Tabora for inviting me to come over here in the Ateneo de Davao. This is my second time to speak here. I think this is the same warm reception as the last time. I am always happy to connect with young