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The Consulate General of the Philippines will soon bid Cultural Officer Dexter Macaraeg who leaves Toronto on 28 September 2005.

Mr. Macaraeg completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication in the Philippines and received his Certification on Professional Education at the University of the Philippines in 1991.

Dexter joined the Phiippines' Department of Foreign Affairs after graduation and attended courses in French, Public Relations, and Tourism & Investment Promotion from Manila's Foreign Service Institute.

In 1995, he participated in the RP-Japan Friendship Programme for the 21st Century in Tokyo, Japan and attended the UNESCO International Theatre Institute Summit in Seoul, Korea in 1997.

He joined theater and film workshops with Mowelfund Film Institute, Repertory Philippines, CCP Tanghalang Pilipino, Eric Morris Actor's Workshop.

In 1999, he received his first diplomatic assignment to the Republic of Cuba, where he served as attache, in charge of Cultural, Protocol and Property, and later as acting Administrative Officer. One of his memorable experiences was when he represented the embassy during the state visit of Ecuadorian president to received an award and was up close in meeting Cuba's president Fidel Castro. Coordinated with Havana City Historian Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler the official visit of Former Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon, Jr., for the unveiling of Dr. Jose Rizal bronze bust at the Fraternity Park, Old Havana.

In Havana, he took the opportunity to study Spanish at the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Havana (2000-2001) and made regular visits to La Condesa Prison where three (3) Filipinos were in jail.

Mr. Macaraeg was reassigned to his country's consulate general in Toronto as Consular Assistant, in charge of cultural affairs.

During his two year term in Toronto, he completed Speaking Spanish High Intermediate at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus) and Advance Spanish Course at Toronto Spanish Centre(2003-2004).

Mr. Macaraeg has enjoyed working in Toronto, representing and organizing numerous events showcasing the culture of the Philipppines, including the Road to Asia Festival. Mr. Macaraeg begins his new duties at the Office of American Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs on 03 October 2005, but looks forward to returning to Cuba in the future.