Language familiarity promotes solidarity

 For historical reasons, Filipinos have a natural affinity for the Spanish language, including baby boomers who completed approximately four semesters of mandatory Spanish courses in college.

Had those lucky enough to live in that age taken the courses to heart, Filipinos would not have lost their proficiency in the Latin-based tongue.

As the director of Instituto Cervantes Manila, Francisco Javier Lopez Tapia leads an institution dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and the rich cultural heritage of the Spanish-speaking world.

With its presence in 86 cities in 45 countries, Instituto Cervantes is the largest global public institution for Spanish language education and cultural exchange.

In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE’s online show Straight Talk, Tapia shares his journey, insights on the institution’s mission, and the growing interest in Spanish within the Philippines.

On languages and cultures

Tapia’s journey with Instituto Cervantes spans decades and continents.

“Instituto Cervantes is a government institution founded in 1991, and in the Philippines, we’ve been present for 36 years,” he shares. “We currently have 102 Instituto Cervantes centers worldwide, operating in 58 countries. Our main task is to promote the Spanish language and the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.”

Tapia’s fascination with languages and cultures began at an early age. Since childhood, I have been interested in learning about different cultures and languages. That’s why I studied translation and interpreting at university,” he explains.

His passion led him to specialize in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Eventually, he found his place at Instituto Cervantes, an institution he regards as “the most prestigious in teaching Spanish worldwide.”

Tapia’s career began as a teacher abroad, an opportunity that required him to take an exam to secure a public position. “I got the position, and they sent me to Beijing,” he recalled.

“At first, I thought, ‘Why Beijing?’ I was living in Madrid when I suddenly found myself in China. I stayed there for five years.”

His time in Beijing was transformative. “It was magical. I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. Sometimes, we have stereotypes about different nations in mind, but I found the people very welcoming, and there were so many growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. We had about 5,000 students a year at that time.”

From Beijing, he moved to London, where he encountered a different but equally enriching cultural experience.

His career then took him to Prague and Tel Aviv before he assumed his current role in Manila.

Manila is unique because it is my first posting as general director. The connection between the Philippines and Spain is profound, and I am genuinely interested in the language and culture here. I feel warmly welcomed.”

Spanish-Philippine connection

Tapia acknowledges the challenges of adapting to Manila’s dynamic environment but remains enthusiastic about its opportunities. “Some might say Manila is a difficult city, but the human warmth here balances things out. The city and the country are open to discovering new things and building bridges between cultures.”

Since arriving, Tapia has explored several parts of the Philippines. “I’ve been to Boracay, El Nido and Siargao. My next stop is Bohol. Traveling helps me connect with the country beyond Manila.”

Historically, Spanish was compulsory in Philippine education, but later became optional. Despite this shift, Tapia prefers to focus on the positive. Currently, we are offering courses at De La Salle University, St. Benilde, Poveda, and soon at Mapúa and Everest Academy in BGC. We are also starting a promising collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs.”

His data shows a strong demand for Spanish language education. “There is a real desire and need for Spanish to be part of academic programs. We are a public institution offering affordable programs that ensure accessibility. Collaboration with local institutions is key for us — it doesn’t make sense to stay within our premises without engaging with the community.”

Innovative language education

Instituto Cervantes integrates history and culture into its language courses. “Our approach is very communicative. Language is a tool for communication, but it’s also deeply connected to culture. Given the shared history between Spain and the Philippines, historical topics naturally enter our classrooms.”

Tapia emphasizes that learning Spanish can open global opportunities. “Many Filipinos tell us they never realized how useful Spanish would be until they moved to the US, where the Hispanic community is large. Being bilingual in English and Spanish makes them more competitive in the job market.”

Instituto Cervantes Manila also organizes cultural events. “In January, we hosted an exhibition on wine and architecture, complete with wine tasting and tapas. We know how much Filipinos love food and wine! We will screen food-related films in June in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy. We are also working with hospitality schools to showcase Spanish gastronomy.”

The institute has embraced digital innovation, particularly in response to the pandemic. “Manila is unique within the Instituto Cervantes network because 70 percent of our courses are now online. This allows us to reach students outside the city, including those in Cebu and other provinces. It’s a game-changer in how we deliver education. We also provide online assessments, allowing students to take tests from anywhere.”

Tapia recognizes that young Filipinos are particularly drawn to Spanish. Compared to other countries, our students here are young, mostly in their twenties. In Tel Aviv, the average student age was 40 to 50. Learning Spanish is linked to exploring new opportunities, so we design innovative materials that align with their interests, such as cinema and music.”

Spanish anyone?

According to Tapia, the future of Spanish is bright. “Spanish is the second most spoken language on the internet and ranks high on platforms like Spotify and Netflix. It’s also growing in the US, which will naturally increase interest in learning the language.”

On a broader scale, he believes that linguistic diversity enriches societies. “Not all political leaders agree on this, but we firmly believe that knowing more languages creates more professional and personal opportunities. The more languages you learn, the more open-minded you become.”

He also notes a growing interest in Spain among Filipinos. “Data shows an increasing number of agreements between Spanish and Filipino companies and more tourists visiting Spain each year. When you go to Madrid or Barcelona, you’ll meet many Filipinos who have integrated into Spanish culture. We share similar climates, culinary traditions, and a common past — much more unites us than separates us.”