Philippines Study Trip 2026
From March 14 to 21, 2026, the Johns Hopkins SAIS cohort traveled to Manila for a capstone study trip led by Professor Henrietta Levin. The trip gave students an opportunity to engage directly with high-ranking government officials, diplomats, civil society representatives, and private sector leaders, bringing classroom analysis into conversation with policy practice on the ground.
The capstone aims to deepen students’ understanding of how policy is planned and implemented in real-world settings. Through meetings with senior interlocutors across government, business, and civil society, the cohort examined both the opportunities and constraints that shape decision-making in the Philippines. These conversations will inform the group’s final research and contribute to policy recommendations grounded in practical observation and direct engagement.
Manila offered a particularly compelling setting for the trip. As a key actor in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific, the Philippines provides an important window into regional diplomacy, security, and economic strategy. The visit helped students better understand the country’s evolving foreign policy priorities and its relationships with major regional and global partners.
Across the week, discussions focused on a wide range of issues, including Philippine foreign policy; the Philippines’ relations with the United States, China, Japan, and its Southeast Asian neighbors; national security; maritime security; economic security; and human rights.
Edited By: Ana-Maria-Elena Radu
Study Trip Highlights
Philippine Coast Guard: West Philippine Sea Transparency Group
with Rear Admiral Commodore Jay Tarriela
Monday, March 16, 7:30 AM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
with Ambassador Kazuya Endo
Monday, March 16, 12 PM
Photo Courtesy of the Embassy of Japan
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines
with Ambassador Jing Quan
Monday, March 16, 2 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Asian Development Bank
with Director Andrew Jeffries, Principal Operations Coordination Specialist Lanie Thomas (SAIS Alum), and Evaluation Specialist Ambra Avenia (SAIS Alum)
Monday, March 16, 4 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines
with Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow and Minister Michael Ting-Sheng Lee
Tuesday, March 17, 10 AM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Embassy of the United States of America
with the Political Section, Economic Section, Development Finance Corporation, Department of War, and Public Diplomacy
Tuesday, March 17, 1:30 PM
Civil Society Organizations – Human Rights Roundtable
Human Rights Watch Philippines Representative with Mr. Carlos H. Conde, Center for Trade Union and Human Rights with Executive Director Kamille Pauline Deligente, Ateneo Human Rights Center with Atty. Paula Sophia Estrella
Tuesday, March 17, 4:30 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Department of Migrant Workers
with Dr. Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos, Atty. Eric Dollette, Ms. Maricarl B. Fabian, Director Jerome Yanson
Wednesday, March 18, 9 AM
Photo Courtesy of Laidlaw Zhang
Department of Trade and Industry
with Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, and Executive Director Benedict M. Uy
Wednesday, March 18, 11 AM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Department of Foreign Affairs
with Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim
Wednesday, March 18, 1:30 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Senate of the Philippines
with Senator Erwin Tulfo
Wednesday, March 18, 4 PM
Photo Courtesy of Fulbright Philippines
Chamber of Mines of the Philippines
with Executive Director Ronald Recidoro
Thursday, March 19, 9 AM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Fulbright Philippines Panel Discussion
with Prof. Herman Kraft, Atty. Karen Jimeno, Dr. Peter Galvez
Thursday, March 19, 10:30 AM
Photo Courtesy of Fulbright Philippines
Makati Business Club
with Executive Director Rafael Ongpin and Policy Manager Bettina Bautista
Thursday, March 19, 1:30 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Department of National Defense
with Assistant Secretary Agusto V. Gaite
Thursday, March 19, 3:30 PM
Photo Courtesy of Fulbright Philippines
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Friday, March 20, 9AM
Photo Courtesy of Laidlaw Zhang
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, Breakout Session
with Counsellor Kwon Syoonhyun
Thursday, March 19, 6 PM
Photo Courtesy of Carlo Landayan
Philippine National Police, Virtual Breakout Session
with Police Major Sonny B. Galicia
Friday, March 20, 1 PM
Photo Courtesy of Keanu Paul Sygaco
Department of National Defense, Breakout Session
with Director Jessie Pascasio
Friday, March 20, 1 PM
Photo Courtesy of Nikidrea Rey
Environmental Justice Foundation, Breakout Session
with Angel Marie Ysik
Friday, March 20, 1 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
AECOM
with Vice President Sylvester Timothy Wong
Friday, March 20, 3 PM
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Saturday, March 21
Baluarte de San Diego, Intramuros
Saturday, March 21
Photo Courtesy of Helen Getu
Study Trip Delegates
Henrietta LevinProfessor | |||
Hannah DavisMaster of Arts in International Relations | Erin Elizabeth DempseyMaster of International Public Policy | Helen GetuMaster of Arts in International Relations | |
Maissoun HusseinMaster of Arts in International Relations | Nihar IyengarMaster of Arts in International Relations | Yuki KimuraMaster of Arts in International Relations | |
Carlo LandayanMaster of Arts in International Relations | Han LiuMaster of Arts in International Relations | Nicholas MeekerMaster of Arts in International Relations | |
| Erika MenendezMaster of Arts in International Relations | Nikidrea ReyMaster of Arts in International Relations | Carlos Vicente SanchezMaster of Arts in International Relations | |
Wyatt ThielenMaster of Arts in International Relations | Minami TonookaMaster of International Public Policy | Emma Vengosh WeinthalMaster of Arts in International Relations | |
Laidlaw ZhangMaster of Arts in International Relations | Keanu Paul SygacoTeaching AssistantMaster of Arts in International Relations | ||