Embassy officer Ivan Gonzales: A desire to transform the Philippine economy
‘One day I’d like to be a writer like my father.’
Believe it or not, contributing to the economic development of the Philippines was an aspiration Ivan Gonzales had since he was 4 years old. Today, he is making that dream a solid reality working for the Economic Section of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The son of writer P.J. Gonzales of Pandi, Bulacan and Cherry Gonzales of Argao, Cebu, Ivan was born in Cebu City, but lived mostly in his father’s hometown of Pandi until his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was at a very young age. Although Ivan didn’t spend his adolescent years in the Philippines, that never stopped him from having a desire to help his countrymen in some form or another.
He had a distinguished international education. He earned his Bachelors of Science degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University in 2009. As an undergraduate, he had also completed coursework at the University of Paris-Sorbonne in France, Sophia University in Japan and the Anglo-American University in the Czech Republic, before completing his graduate degree program at Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. in 2012 with a Master of Arts in International Relations and International Economics, with a specialization in International Law.
Washington, D.C. being one of the most significant diplomatic posts for the Philippines, it is naturally one of the most demanding. Ivan’s job as an economic desk officer has granted him several opportunities to conduct economic research in relation to the complex issues around Philippine-U.S. trade.
“Contributing to the Philippines’ economic development became a driving force for me to pursue an education in international relations and economics as well as my motivation to become engaged with various FilAm community organizations,” explained Ivan.
Ivan, at left, with the Economic Mission team at the Philippine Embassy led by Economic Minister JV Chan-Gonzaga (center), a career diplomat, and economic assistant Mylo Fausto.
One of Ivan’s proudest achievements had to do with Facebook. He was part of the team that assisted in the initial technical assessment of Facebook’s Internet.org initiative in the Philippines, which led to partnerships between government agencies and the country’s top telecommunications companies. This service would help provide free Internet access to individuals to certain web-based services as well to training programs from agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The initiative was very well received and even Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself posted about it on his personal FB page when the program launched.
Having been formerly assigned to the economic section of the New York Philippine Consulate General, I had the privilege of working with Ivan on several projects.
In 2016, we worked together in organizing and hosting of the 2016 Philippine Business and Investment Forum in New York City. It was, in my view, a milestone in PHL-U.S. economic relations, a tour-de-force conference of the nation’s top government and business leaders. The reception also memorably featured guest appearances by Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez, and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
Ivan has cherished memories working with former Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. and former Consul General in New York Mario de Leon Jr. while they both respectively headed the Embassy and New York Consulate. He is excited to have the opportunity to now be working with new Ambassador to the U.S. Jose “Babe” Romualdez, who he believes is the right person to further raise the economic profile of the Philippines, as well as to engage U.S. stakeholders in playing a positive and dynamic role in helping the Philippines transform the economy.
“The most rewarding aspect of my occupation is that I believe some of my efforts have resulted in a real positive impact to not only the country’s engagement with U.S. stakeholders, but also to actual people in the Philippines,” he remarked.
Of course, Ivan is adept at balancing pleasure with business. He recalled a time he was with a Philippine official visiting D.C. who insisted on traveling on foot to meet his Fitbit exercise goals.
“So it ended up just me and him jogging in our suits to different venues for his speaking engagements and meetings throughout the day,” he recalled.
Ivan devotes his spare time to reading. On his lunch breaks, he often walks or bikes to one of the used bookstores just right near the embassy and picks up books by some of his favorite authors, including Paulo Coelho, David Foster Wallace, Haruki Murakami, and Junot Diaz. Writing and literature are his other pursuits, with the aim of someday publishing his own book.
“My father is actually one of my inspirations. He had recently published a book called ‘The Deserter’ about the experience of his godfather who escaped as a prisoner of war during World War II. I would like to one day contribute to literature and be recognized as a Filipino American writer,” he said.
© The FilAm 2018
Speaking at a 2013 Summit of the Pilipino American Unity for Progress or UniPro
