By Kairos Rye A. Jalando-on, The Centralian Link Intern
Celebrating Freedom250! Fulbright Philippines brings ‘American Values in Everyday Life’ to CPU’s American Corner with guest lecturer Mr. Armando Jorge Quiroz IV from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
On February 7, 2026, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Fulbright Philippines, in partnership with the American Corner Iloilo, hosted a session of the FULBRIGHT FREEDOM250 Lecture Series at the American Corner, located on the 3rd floor of the Henry Luce III Library at Central Philippine University (CPU).The featured guest lecturer was Mr. Armando Jorge Quiroz IV, a Teaching & Learning Designer from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Mr. Quiroz, who is also a certified Spanish and ESL teacher and serves as a Supervisor of World Languages, delivered an engaging presentation centered on American Values in Everyday Life, exploring key themes such as Learning, Belonging, Community Engagement, Social/Cultural Experiences, and International Exchange. The lecture provided attendees, students, and faculty with valuable insights into how these core values shape daily life, education, and societal interactions in the United States. It also highlighted the role of international exchange programs, such as the Fulbright Program, in fostering global understanding and collaboration.
Ms. Chilou Batoon (left) presents a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Quiroz and the Fulbright staff.
The session concluded with an interactive open forum (Q&A), in which Mr. Quiroz fielded thoughtful questions from the participants. The discussions explored the contrasts between Filipino and American cultures and values, differences in classroom behavior and expectations, essential skills students need to thrive in a more globalized society, and the importance of maintaining cultural pride amid cross-cultural interactions.
This event not only commemorated a significant milestone in American history but also strengthened ties between Filipino and American educational communities, encouraging dialogue on shared values, mutual respect, and the transformative power of international exchange.