BEFORE DIPLOMACY, FRIENDSHIP
Rizal and Blumentritt knew something diplomats sometimes forget: You learn very little from another country when you think you know better.
Respect is the ultimate foundation of diplomatic relations. This is the core message shared by Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines Karel Hejč, during his talk entitled “The Philippines and the Czech Republic: Decades of Diplomatic and Cultural Synergy” before young and aspiring Filipino diplomats.
“The Czech Republic and the Republic of the Philippines celebrated 53 years of diplomatic relations this year,” Hejč noted. “When you say it like that, it does not really sound like a long time.”
“It is a formal relationship between two countries, but it can only happen if there are already existing ties on the people-to-people level,” he explained. “And people-to-people ties between our two countries go a long way in the history.”
Hejč walked the audience through the friendship between Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal and Czech scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt, whose amicable exchange of letters became the groundwork of the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
Contrary to the common misconception wherein Blumentritt served as Rizal’s mentor, the Ambassador clarified their ties flourished into one between two peers, one based on enriching each other’s knowledge about the country, the people, and the culture.
“They built it on mutual respect, on absolute dignity, and admiration for each other, two equal people coming from very similar historical backgrounds,” he said.
“Both our countries underwent very similar turbulences in the past,” he added. “We both know the price of independence — of freedom — and this bond established by Rizal and Blumentritt is probably the strongest foundation of our relationship.”
Today, a bust of Blumentritt can be found at Rizal Park in Manila. A road and a train station were likewise named after him — tributes that recognize not only his connection with the Philippine national hero but also his contributions to the country’s history.
The Czech Republic likewise commemorates the time of Rizal in their country through museums and historical sites, particularly in the town of Litoměřice, where the Blumentritt and Rizal Bastion features a permanent exhibition on the intellectual exchange between the two scholars.
Hejč assured the Czech Republic will never look at the Philippines as a student and will never approach the country from the perspective of a teacher. They are equals which may learn from each other.
“Respect was the primary value of Rizal and Blumentritt’s friendship — a truly deep and honest friendship,” he said. “And that is the value that must be omnipresent throughout anything and everything you do in your aspiration to establish international dialogue and cooperation.”
He likewise advised the aspiring diplomats to put down their smartphones and start talking face-to-face to one another.
The lecture was organized by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance as part of its SDG Ambassador Lecture Series, which concurrently ran during the Benilde Global Week 2026.
“Our relations have a very solid foundation, and it is my and your responsibility to keep it that way — but maybe even make it stronger, make it better, and make it more flourishing than ever before.”