Ambassador Rodriguez (third left) in front of the fusion art piece created by world-acclaimed painters Rene Robles (leftmost) and Emmanuel Garibay (rightmost) at the group exhibition of four Filipino visual artists organized by the Thai Culture Ministry in Nakhonpathom on 7 Jul. 2005. Joining them in the picture are Fine Arts Department Deputy Director-General Somsri Iamthum (second left), budding Filipino abstractionist Julio Austria (middle), Architecture and Traditional Arts Office Director Tanachai Suwanwatthana (third left), and provocative visual and performance artisté Sam Penaso.

Ambassador Rodriguez (left) and Morning Talk host Dr. Valerie J. McKenzie during the taping of the show's 10 Jun. 2005 episode. They had a lively discussion on developments in RP-Thai relations, the state of the Philippine economy, and the latest on the Filipino community in Thailand. Morning Talk is an English-language weekday talk-show which airs on Thai television channel 11, UBC channels 60 and 94 (broadcasting to Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Yunnan), and on the Thai TV Global Network (broadcasting to over 170 countries worldwide).

Ambassador Rodriguez and Madame Janette Rodriguez led Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino community at an austere celebration of the 107th anniversary of Philippine independence at the Embassy grounds on 12 Jun. 2005. Ambassador Rodriguez gave his annual remarks, while Embassy officials delivered the messages of Pres. Gloria Macagapagal-Arroyo and Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo. The participants were treated to a sumptuous breakfast after the celebration of a Catholic Mass.

Ambassador Rodriguez (left) and the five other signatories of the charter of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) during ceremonies held at the Thai MFA on 28 Feb. 2005. The six countries -- Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand -- are now the founding members of the new ADPC. Also in the picture are Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai (fourth from right), ADPC Chairperson Dr. Krasae Chanawongse (fifth from right), and ADPC Executive Director Suvit Yodmani (third from right).

Ambassador Rodriguez called on House Speaker Bhokin Balakula at the Thai parliament on 18 Mar. 2005 to personally convey invitations to the 112th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the first conference of the Southeast Asia Parliamentarians against Corruption (SEAPAC) to be held in Manila in April 2005. The two officials also reiterated their commitment to increasing bilateral cooperation. Speaker Bhokin assured Ambassador Rodriguez that the parliament's RP-Thai Friendship Group would continue to help enhance the two countries' ties.

Consul Louis Alferez (right) and Mr. Angel Cayabyab raised the flag in a simple ceremony at the Embassy grounds on 28 May 2005 in celebration of Philippine Flag Day. Ambassador Rodriguez, delivering remarks in Filipino, described the occasion as an opportunity "to recall the sacrifice of our national heroes whose efforts are forever embedded in the colors and shapes of the Philippine flag."