Book excerpt: THE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND FRANCE DID NOT MERELY BEGIN OVER 70 YEARS AGO. The journey of discovery began even earlier, when French cartography was being developed as early routes to and around the Philippines were first being plotted by adventurous maritime explorers. The cover of this book depicts this journey: a French frigate bravely traverses the seas of Guillaume Deliste's 17th century world map, headed eastward in search of new discoveries, guided by the Philippine sun. As both countries rediscover each other by building an even better relationship in the future, it will be a continuous journey of both discovery and rediscovery.