It is an honor to welcome the CALESA DIGITAL project on behalf of the participating institutions and the coordinating team. This achievement represents the culmination of years of effort and dedication, bringing to life a dream born out of the desire to strengthen the ties between the academic and legal communities of Spain and the Philippines.
What began in 2013 as an aspiration has now become a reality, thanks to the commitment of an enthusiastic group of university scholars who, with determination, have made possible what once seemed unattainable. Looking back, the journey taken and the efforts accumulated to consolidate this initiative are truly remarkable, built upon collaboration and a shared will to forge a common future.
From its inception, this project has given rise to significant milestones, including:
• I Latin American and Filipino Congress on Civil Law (2013)
• II Latin American and Filipino Congress on Civil Law (2014)
• First International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (Málaga, 2015)
• Second International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (Ateneo de Manila, 2016)
• Third International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (Málaga, 2017)
• Fourth International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (Ateneo de Manila, 2018)
• Fifth International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (Deusto, 2019)
• Sixth International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (University of the Philippines, 2022)
• Seventh International Scientific Congress on Hispanic-Filipino Law (Málaga, 2024)
Furthermore, the project has facilitated Erasmus mobility scholarships and funding from the University of Málaga’s own program, enabling more than 30 students to undertake semester-long accredited exchanges in both regions. Additionally, 20 Filipino professors have carried out teaching residencies at the University of Málaga, fostering a fruitful academic exchange.
One of the most remarkable milestones has been securing the Erasmus+ CBHE CALESA Project, with funding close to one million euros. Led by the University of Málaga, this project has included participation from European universities such as Deusto, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and University College Dublin, as well as prestigious Filipino institutions: the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, University of San Agustín, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA).
This process of academic and legal partnership would not have been possible without the leadership and inspiration of Professor Rubén Balane, who generously opened the doors of Filipino institutions to us and guided us in rediscovering our shared Hispanic-Filipino identity. His invaluable contribution has been recognized with the Encomienda de Isabel la Católica, awarded by the Kingdom of Spain in honor of his efforts to recover our shared cultural and legal heritage.
Today, we celebrate the birth of CALESA DIGITAL, a Cooperation Project for legal, social, academic, and digital progress in the Philippines, funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), within the Justice and Rule of Law sector, and managed by FIIAPP. This support from the Spanish State marks a milestone in the consolidation of a dream that was born in Málaga more than a decade ago and has now reached maturity, with the firm intention of continuing to advance.
Much remains to be done, but the essential has already been achieved: a mutual trust that drives us to progress together. We congratulate ourselves on this success and express our best wishes for CALESA DIGITAL to become a solid pillar on the path we have embarked upon.
José Manuel de Torres Perea
Coordinator
Cooperation Project for legal, social, academic, and digital progress through the creation of a legal framework for social progress in the Philippines. CALESA DIGITAL
