The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

AMBASSADOR ELIZABETH BUENSUCESO DELIVERS SPECIAL LECTURES ON ASEAN CENTRALITY AND WOMEN PEACE AND SECURITY IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S MONTH

Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso during her special lecture at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Joining the PH Eminent Person to the High-Level Taskforce of the Post-ASEAN 2025 Community Vision are PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, heads and representatives of Diplomatic Missions in Korea, and officials of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

31 March 2023 - In commemoration of National Women’s Month, the Philippine Embassy in Korea invited Philippine Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force of the Post-ASEAN 2025 Community Vision and Foreign Affairs Adviser Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso to deliver a series of talks on the importance of ASEAN Centrality, the role of women in maintaining peace and security in ASEAN, and the post-2025 ASEAN Community vision roadmap in various Korean institutions. Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega also joined Ambassador Buensuceso in all the activities.

As a highlight of the lecture series, Ambassador Buensuceso delivered a special presentation at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) on 24 March 2023 to an audience of ROK government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Seoul, and students of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

Central to Ambassador Buensuceso’s lecture is the important role that women play in diplomacy and the Philippines’ active participation in making sure women continue to actively participate in the peace process and conflict resolution within the region through the ASEAN Women, Peace, and Security registry. She also offered her insights on the future of ASEAN-Republic of Korea relations.

Ambassador Buensuceso also delivered a special lecture on the importance of ASEAN Centrality, negotiations, and diplomatic communications to the students of the Graduate School of International Studies at the prestigious Ehwa Womans University on 22 March 2023. Ambassador Buensuceso likewise shared inspiring words to aspiring women foreign service officers based on her forty-two years of service as a Philippine diplomat.

Ambassador Buensuceso also visited the ASEAN Korea Centre in Jongno, Seoul to discuss future cooperation activities with ASEAN Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Haeyoung. The Asia Society in Korea also conducted a special interview with Ambassador Buensuceso’s as part of its Ambassador Interview series. The interview revolved around her experiences as a trailblazing Filipina diplomat. The interview series is uploaded on the Asia Society in Korea’s official page.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea held these series of informational discussions with the Republic of Korea to highlight the historical contributions of Filipinas in the diplomatic and policy-making space, share information regarding policies on women, including programs and projects in the Philippines, and underscore that gender equality is only achieved if both men and women are included in decision-making processes at all levels. END

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Left: Ambassador Buensuceso delivers a lecture at the Ehwa Womans University Graduate School of International Studies. She was received by GSIS Dean Brendan Howe, Professor Kisuk Cho, and students from diverse backgrounds. Top right: Ambassador Buensuceso donated a copy of her book, ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat to the ASEAN Korea Centre library. PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega and GAD Focal Person Third Secretary Reisha Olavario also joined the activities.

PH EMBASSY AND NACC CONDUCT KYRR SEMINAR ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

PR MTD 36 2023 KYRR Intercountry Adoption

19 March 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, conducted its first Know-Your-Rights-and-Responsibilities (KYRR) Seminar Series on 19 March 2023 focusing on intercountry adoption processes. In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that the topic was brought about by the increasing number of Filipino marriage migrants wishing to reunite and bring their children from prior relationships to South Korea. She expressed her gratitude to the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), a new government agency created under R.A. No. 11642, for supporting the Embassy’s advocacy of spreading awareness on legal adoption processes which would facilitate uniting families together and lessen the negative impact of migration.

For their part, NACC Undersecretary and Executive Director Janella Ejercito Estrada said that the seminar is a welcome development, noting the increasing number of multicultural families in South Korea. She also said that the NACC, which was created in January 2023 and taking over the role of the former Intercountry Adoption Board, is developing several core programs geared towards assisting overseas Filipinos in building a strong and happy family life.

The online event featured intercountry adoption experts NACC Assistant Secretary Atty. Madeline Arezu Ty Jam, NACC Unit Head Ms. Irene Fagayan, and Korea Legal Aid Corporation’s Atty. Wi Seung Yong. The speakers provided participants with the relevant information on facilitating intercountry adoption both in the Philippines and South Korea.

The KYRR seminar series is a quarterly activity initiated by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega in 2022 to equip overseas Filipinos in South Korea with the legal knowledge protecting their rights and welfare. Seminar materials from previous KYRR activities may be accessed at http://bitly.ws/BYkN. END

1ST DMW-OWWA BALIK SAYA HELD IN SOUTH KOREA

PR MTD 35 20231

28 March 2023, Seoul - More than 1,000 Filipinos in South Korea were treated to a highly exciting and entertaining show featuring standout performances by homegrown artists and fresh-faced talents, brought together under the “Balik Saya: Handog ng DMW-OWWA” program, on 26 March 2023 at the Dongseung High School Auditorium in Seoul.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) launched its first salvo of Balik Saya in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA, and the Seoul Filipino Catholic Community (SFCC), with support from the various Filipino community organizations in South Korea.

In her opening message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon De Vega lauded the DMW and OWWA for making South Korea as its first stop for its 2023 Balik Saya project. “Today’s activities provided important OWWA-related information, consultation, and a welfare caravan for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, while the special entertainment segment fostered a closer bond among overseas Filipinos and assuaged the homesickness of many OFWs”. She thanked OWWA Administrator Arnaldo ‘Arnell’ Ignacio, the Board of Trustees and his team for resuming the Balik Saya project especially for Filipinos abroad who have experienced years of travel and health restrictions due to COVID.

For his part Administrator Ignacio assured the Filipino workers in Korea that OWWA would strengthen its existing programs and strive to provide services to benefit overseas Filipino workers and their families. He likewise lauded the sacrifices and the world-class skills of our workers in Korea.

The event featured the OFW Got Talent contest where the top ten (10) OFWs/groups showcased outstanding prowess in singing, dancing, original song compositions, and extraordinary talents. Mr. Dexter Patente, an EPS worker in a plastic molding company who arrived in Korea four (4) months ago won the Grand Prize for his impressive Beatbox performance. The Legitimate Dancers, a group of six (6) Sincere EPS workers, and Haneson Darryl Turno, an EPS worker for five (5) years, won 2^nd and 3^rd prize, respectively.

Filipinos from all over South Korea enjoyed the performances of singer-comedienne Boobay and GMA7’s 2020 The Clash Grand Prize Winner Jessica Villarubin who belted out her winning numbers. Administrator Ignacio also shared the stage with the performers in surprise numbers to the delight of the OFWs. Lucky draw winners and the biggest FilCom delegation also took home special prizes.

Balik Saya commenced with a thanksgiving mass presided by Rev. Fr. Jason Antiquera, SSC and arranged by the SFCC. As part of the opening program, the team of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness for Overseas Filipinos in South Korea (or PEAK-Pinoy), which is the flagship project of the Philippine Embassy in support of the Philippine National Reintegration Program signed the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding, while the Philippine Tourism Office (PDOT) in Seoul launched the “Bisita: Be My Guest” (BBMG) program. -END-

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FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN SOUTH KOREA MEETS OWWA

PR MTD 34 2023 FilCom Meeting with OWWA

29 March 2023, Seoul- The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA in Seoul hosted the consultation meeting of the Filipino Community in South Korea with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on 25 March 2023 at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Hall.

OWWA Administrator Arnaldo ‘Arnell’ Ignacio was joined by OWWA Board of Trustees Captain Felix Rebustes, Atty. Antonio Partoza, Ms. Estrella Anonuevo and Mr. Emmanuel Regio, and OWWA Director Jocelyn Hapal. During the 4-hour activity, the program and services for OFWs were presented by the Embassy, MWO, and OWWA which was followed by an interactive discussion of employment, welfare, reintegration and OWWA membership concerns.

Representing Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega, Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. welcomed the OWWA delegation and participants, and highlighted the active cooperation and involvement of the Filipino community in the promotion of welfare and interests of Filipinos who are living, working and staying in Korea.

OWWA Administrator Ignacio enjoined the Filipinos in South Korea to maximize every opportunity to hone their skills, be disciplined in spending, and be clear and focused on their goals while working in Korea noting the favorable employment and services the host country provides to foreign workers. He reaffirmed OWWA’s commitment for its members with its mandate under the newly created Department of Migrant Workers.

The FilCom leaders discussed the concerns of their respective communities and presented their suggestions, while many also expressed their appreciation for the responsiveness of the programs and services of the Embassy and MWO-OWWA for them.

Administrator Ignacio also conferred certificates to the 245 graduates of MWO-OWWA Skills Training courses, such as Basic and Advance Sewing, Photography, Meat Processing, and Perfume Diffuser and Soap Making, and recognition of resource speakers. EPS workers Arnaldo Hicban and Michael Angelo Santos shared their success story of putting up Saranghae Chinguya Photography and Photo Booth in Pampanga after attending Basic Photography Classes conducted by MWO-OWWA. “Malaking tulong ang libreng training ng MWO-OWWA dahil nagamit namin ito, lalo na nung nagpandemic at wala kaming income, nakapagtayo kami ng negosyo”, EPS Hicban said. Before closing, OWWA Board of Trustee Estrella Anonuevo informed the participants of OWWA’s project to conduct trainers training for Reintegration counselors as part of the efforts to heighten awareness and reintegration preparedness among OFWs. -END-