On November 25, 2024, Dr. Rommel Banlaoi, Director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism Studies, gave a lecture to students enrolled in the Creative and Innovative Policy Analysis for Decision-Making Elites course, required for the Tsinghua University-SAIS Global Politics and Economics Dual Master’s Degree Program (TSDM). In the second class of the Autumn 2024 semester, Dr. Banlaoi shared insights from his academic and professional career, engaging in an in-depth discussion with program scholars on international relations theory, security studies, and career development paths.
Dr. Rommel Banlaoi is a renowned expert in peace, counterterrorism, and security studies in the Philippines. At the beginning of his lecture, Dr. Banlaoi introduced his academic and professional journey, from his early academic foundation in political science to his later work in counterterrorism and international relations. He discussed how he was able to apply academic theories to practical scenarios. This ability to bridge theory with practice is exactly what Dr. Banlaoi encourages students to pursue, motivating them to realize that academic research reaches its full potential when it can be applied to real-world scenarios.
Early Academic Journey: Foundations in Political Science
Dr. Banlaoi earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from 1988 to 1992 and later completed his Master’s degree in the field from 1993 to 1995. During the early stages of his academic career, he developed a growing interest in the dynamics of peace and violence, which led him to dive deeper into the field. From 1995 to 2005, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Banlaoi pursued a PhD in Political Science. During this time, he worked with prominent scholars including Dr. Clarita Carlos, an expert on Philippine-Palestinian relations. Under her guidance, he gained invaluable insights into the challenges and risks of working in difficult environments, particularly during his time at the Palestinian Embassy, which significantly shaped his views on global security issues.
From Academia to Career: Diplomatic Frontlines
Dr. Banlaoi shared how his academic pursuits shaped his transition into government service and eventually to leadership roles in think tanks. He first engaged in Philippine diplomatic work between 1998 and 2000, closely collaborating with the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, which sparked his interest in Sino-Philippine relations. This early experience was pivotal, as it gave him a deep understanding of promoting bilateral cooperation during times of geopolitical change. Since 2005, Dr. Banlaoi has made significant efforts to strengthen Sino-Philippine relations, actively preparing speeches for government officials and contributing to the “Golden Era of Sino-Philippine Relations.” His ability to combine academic knowledge with practical diplomacy highlighted the value of blending theoretical expertise with real-world applications.
From Practical Experience to Global Security Insights
Dr. Banlaoi then extended his personal experiences to discuss the evolution of global security challenges, providing the TSDM program scholars with an in-depth analysis of the historical reflections in security studies, particularly in counterterrorism. He mentioned the complex geopolitical situation in the Philippines during the 1990s, as well as the 1995 terrorist plot by Osama bin Laden targeting the Philippines, which led him to shift his research focus to security and counterterrorism. His subsequent work, especially his leadership role in a government-funded independent counterterrorism think tank, underscored the critical role academic research plays in informing policymakers and fostering international cooperation.
Reflection on Career “Low Points” and Inspirational Advice
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Banlaoi sincerely shared his reflections on the “low points” of his career, deeply moving the program scholars. He openly discussed the challenges he faced on both personal and professional levels, explaining how these experiences shaped his character and career path. Citing Confucius, he used the metaphor “dancing with the rain” to illustrate the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity. The core message Dr. Banlaoi conveyed to the scholars was that while setbacks—both internal and external—are inevitable in one’s career, the key to future success lies in the ability to adapt to changing environments and maintain optimism and determination during difficult times. He also provided valuable advice on how to apply academic knowledge effectively in international relations, diplomacy, and security fields.