GOVPH

RECORD NUMBER 1,400 KOREANS ARRIVE TO FILIPINO WELCOME LED BY TOURISM SECRETARY FRASCO

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – On 13 April 2023, the Department of Tourism (DOT) hosted welcome rites for the record 1400 delegation of incentive travelers from Korea upon their arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA). Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco led the initiative to greet the Korean travelers sought to be the Philippines’ top source market and a driver for tourism growth. The travelers, who arrived at the MCIA via chartered flight KE 9615, are members of the Korea branch of UNICITY, a direct selling company on health functional foods, cosmetics and household items and with over 60 markets globally. 

As a reward to their top agents, sellers, and distributors, UNICITY-Korea sends a big volume of incentive groups to Southeast Asian countries annually. This year, the company is sending 1,400 people in four batches (Apr. 9, 13, 17, and 21) to Cebu. 

For 2023, Secretary Frasco happily shared that Korea has reclaimed the number one spot in terms of tourist arrivals to the Philippines. 

DOT data showed a significant pick up in Korean arrivals since last year, with 428,014 or a 16.13 percent share of the country’s arrivals received between February 10–when the country eased its borders for leisure travelers—up until December 31, 2022.  

During an interview, Secretary Frasco said that “The good news is that as of today, we have over 1.5 million tourist arrivals to the Philippines and our number one top source market are the Koreans. So, we're very grateful to our friends from Korea for continuing to show their love for the Philippines as they have come back in droves, and the UNICITY group in particular, has come with a delegation of no less than 1,400 individuals.”

Secretary Frasco was joined by Lapu-lapu City Lone Representative Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan; Lapu-lapu City Mayor Junard Ahong Chan; Mr. Rafael Aboitiz, Chief Executive Officer of GMR - Aboitiz; Mr. Julius G. Neri, MCIA General Manager; Mr. Heejin Noh, Corporate Business Team Leader of Tides Square Korea; and Mr. Sangyeol Ha, Korean Air Station Manager in Cebu, and officials of the DOT including Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, and OIC-Undersecretary Verna C. Buensuceso. 

To complete their preview of the colorful Filipino experience, the travelers were also welcomed with leis, fascinating performances by Filipiniana-clad rondalla serenaders as well as by vibrant Sinulog dancers. END

Source: DOT-Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy

Photo credits to the Philippine Department of Tourism - Korea Office (PDOT-Korea) and Department of Tourism (DOT)

PHILIPPINE PRIDE RJ ABARRIENTOS RECEIVES ROOKIE OF THE SEASON AWARD AT THE KOREA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

16 April 2023, Seoul –Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega was honored to confer the Rookie of the Year Award to Filipino import RJ Abarrientos at the Korean Basketball League 2022-23 Season. Abarrientos played for the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals for the season, leading his team to finish with a 34-20 record, good for fourth in the regular season. The KBL gives the award to best performing rookie players. Both Korean and foreign players are eligible to receive the award.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul takes pride in the excellent skills and sportsmanship of Filipino athletes currently playing in the KBL. Other outstanding Filipino rookies drafted for the prestigious KBL and making their mark this season are Rhenz Abando for Anyang KGC, Justin Gutang for Changwon LG, Ethan Alvano for Wonju DB, Christian David for Seoul Samsung, and SJ Belangel for Daegu KOGAS. Stay tuned for more updates on Filipino athletes in Korea by following the Philippine Embassy official pages. END

#phinkorea #sportsdiplomacy

Philippine Specialty Arabica, Fine Robusta, and Kapeng Barako (Liberica) Beans star in Korea during the Coffee Expo Seoul 2023

12 April 2023, SEOUL – Philippine Specialty Arabica, Fine Robusta, and Kapeng Barako (Liberica) Beans were the main stars at the Philippine Country Pavilion during the Coffee Expo Seoul 2023, Korea's Biggest Coffee Show in the first half of the year held at the COEX on 5-8 April 2023. Through the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippines was chosen by the Expo Organizers as the Guest Country for this year’s expo to attract the trendy Korean coffee consumers looking for new flavors and craft products. 

During the event, guests at the country pavilion experienced the Philippines through the taste and aroma of coffees from different regions and provinces of the country, such as the Cordilleras, Batangas, Bukidnon and Davao. Also featured were complimentary products like coconut sugar, coconut creamers, hot chocolate, premium dark chocolate bars, and healthy fruit snacks. 

One unique cafe product launched in the country pavilion and attracted many Korean consumers is the flavorful, all-natural, and vegan drink freshly prepared using 100% pure Cacao tablea, all-natural Coconut sugar and easy-melt Coconut Creamer, all sourced and made in the Philippines. 

DTI likewise featured specialty “green coffee beans” which is becoming increasingly popular in Korea. 

Our delegates were overwhelmed by the feedback they received from a number of importers, distributors, retailers, cafe owners, and consumers who conveyed their strong interest in our coffee beans and other products featured at the Country Pavilion. 

In-demand products were fine robusta, coconut milk, coconut sugar, liberica beans, baked fruit chips, specialty chocolate bars, and single-origin Arabica. 

The Korean VIPs that visited the Philippine Pavilion included the presidents of COEX Mr. Lee Dong Ki, the Coffee Association of Korea Mr. Song Chang Yoon, and the Korea Coffee Roasters Association Mr. Hae Ryang Jung.

DTI Regional Directors Juliet Lucas and Flor Gabunales led the Philippine delegation. Philippines Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega and DA Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban also visited the Ph pavilion and met with the delegates. 

In partnership with the organizers of the 2023 Coffee Expo, the Philippines also conducted a seminar during the event to introduce Philippine Coffee. 

The country's participation was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Export Marketing Bureau, Regional Operations Group and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul, in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Philippine Agriculture Office-Korea. END