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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider Slovenia and PH connect through stories of two pioneering women travelers

Slovenia and PH connect through stories of two pioneering women travelers

Published Mar 16, 2026 01:28 pm
Cezar Gilbert Adriano, Executive Director of the National Library of the Philippines; Victorino Mapa Manalo, Executive Director of the National Archives of the Philippines; Dr. Smiljana Knez, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Philippines; and David Mlinaric, Curator of the Celje Regional Museum, respond to questions from members of the media.
Cezar Gilbert Adriano, Executive Director of the National Library of the Philippines; Victorino Mapa Manalo, Executive Director of the National Archives of the Philippines; Dr. Smiljana Knez, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Philippines; and David Mlinaric, Curator of the Celje Regional Museum, respond to questions from members of the media.
The Embassy of Slovenia in Manila, in collaboration with the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) and the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), recently launched the exhibition "Potovanje/Paglalakbay: Two Women World Travellers in the 1920s". The exhibition opened on March 9, 2026 at the National Library’s second-floor lobby, marking both International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month.
The exhibit drew significant interest from guests at the launch, particularly among women
The exhibit drew significant interest from guests at the launch, particularly among women
The exhibition brings together the stories of two remarkable women whose journeys across continents shaped intellectual and cultural exchange in the early twentieth century.
One of them is Alma Maximiliana Karlin, the Slovenian polyglot, writer, and traveler known for undertaking a solo journey around the world at a time when such pursuits were rare for women. The Embassy of Slovenia played a central role in bringing the exhibition to the Philippines, highlighting Karlin’s legacy as a pioneering voice in travel writing and cultural observation.
During the opening program, Slovenian Ambassador Smiljana Knez emphasized the importance of remembering Karlin’s contributions to literature and cross-cultural dialogue. Davor Mlinarič, curator of the Alma Karlin exhibition from the Regional Museum Celje, offered further insights into her life and work, providing context to a journey that continues to fascinate historians and readers today.
Victorino Mapa Manalo, executive director, National Archive of the Philippines, and Dr. Smiljana Knez, Ambassador of Slovenia at the opening of the exhibit
Victorino Mapa Manalo, executive director, National Archive of the Philippines, and Dr. Smiljana Knez, Ambassador of Slovenia at the opening of the exhibit
Alongside Karlin’s story is that of Dr. Maria Paz Mendoza-Guazon, a Filipino physician, suffragist, and intellectual. Her travels across Europe after the war allowed her to study hospitals and public health systems, knowledge she later brought back to the Philippines in support of education, healthcare, and public service. Together, the exhibition highlights how both women navigated a world where opportunities for women to travel, publish, and shape public discourse were still limited.
The opening ceremony drew members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from government and cultural institutions, students and faculty, as well as descendants of the Mendoza-Guazon family. National Library Director Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano expressed pride in hosting the exhibition, noting the institution’s continued commitment to initiatives that highlight the achievements of women in history.
Attendees wander through the exhibit, drawn into fascinating reads and eye‑opening perspectives
Attendees wander through the exhibit, drawn into fascinating reads and eye‑opening perspectives
Speaking on behalf of the family, Atty. Roberto J. Consunji reflected on Dr. Mendoza-Guazon’s enduring legacy in Philippine society.
Running from March 10 to April 16, 2026, the exhibition offers visitors a glimpse into the journeys of two women whose curiosity and determination carried them far beyond the boundaries of their time.
The opening frame welcomes guests into a world of stories waiting to be explored
The opening frame welcomes guests into a world of stories waiting to be explored
Broadly, the initiative reflects the growing cultural dialogue between Slovenia and the Philippines—one built not only through diplomacy, but through shared stories of exploration, scholarship, and the pursuit of knowledge.
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