GOVPH

PH EMBASSY COMMEMORATES 72ND ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES TO KOREA (PEFTOK)

12 October 2022, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the participation of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) in the Korean War with a program and wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial Museum in Seoul.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega recalled that the Philippines sent five Battalion Combat Teams (BCTs) from 1950-1955 with a total number of 7,420 personnel throughout the Korean War. The Philippines is the first country in Asia to do so, and the fifth in the world to respond to this very important call. According to Ambassador De Vega, PEFTOK is proof of the Philippines’ support of the principle of collective security to help the UN forces in Korea. “As a dutiful member of the family of nations, it was in fulfillment of our country’s obligation as a co-signatory of the United Nations Charter. More importantly, it was in fulfillment of our belief that for a country to have peace, a country must be free,” the Ambassador said. She also paid tribute to the legacies of PEFTOK veterans former President Fidel V. Ramos and Major Maximo Young who both passed away in 2022 and were recipients of distinguished decorations from the Korean Government.

She likewise underscored that since then, PH-ROK relations have enjoyed 73 years of cooperation in the political, defense, economic, socio-cultural, and people-to-people spheres and that the Philippines remains resolute in its commitment to elevate PH-ROK ties, as exemplified by the regular exchange of visits in defense and veterans affairs. 

Philippine Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary Joselito B. Ramos was the guest of honor during the commemorative activity. Assistant Secretary Ramos highlighted the long-standing and enduring defense and security ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea which exists today because of the PEFTOK. He likewise paid tribute to decorated PEFTOK veterans Col. Veneciano “Bonny” Serrano and Col. Conrado Yap whose lives serve as an inspiration for members of the Philippine military.

The Battle Resume of the PEFTOK was presented by Armed Forces Attaché of the Philippines Col. Enriqueto Deocadez.

Director General for International Cooperation Kang Yun-Jin of the ROK Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA), and UN Korean War Allies Association (UNKWAA) Chairman Kim Dugun were likewise present to pay tribute to the heroism of Filipino troops during the war.

The wreath-laying ceremony was attended by officers of the Embassy of the Philippines and its attached agencies, defense attachés of UN sending states, descendants of PEFTOK veterans studying in Korea, and friends and partners of the PH-ROK veterans community. END

PH EMBASSY WELCOMES PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION DELEGATION FOR A RESEARCH AND PLANNING TRIP TO ROK

06 October 2022, SEOUL – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed a delegation from the Philippine Sports Commission headed by Dr. Lauro Domingo, Chief, Planning, Research and Development Division of the PSC.

The training facility research and planning trip in the ROK is in line with the Philippine government’s mandate for the PSC to establish and construct the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC), which will serve as the national training facility for the members of the Philippine national team.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega shared during the delegation’s courtesy call that the Embassy will continue to support the Philippine government’s initiatives for the advancement of Philippine sports and in providing a world class facility where members of the national team could hone their skills. She likewise introduced SEA Games medalist Anna Gabriella Guinto who is a member of the Philippine Embassy in Korea team and discussed the importance of institutional support for working Filipino athletes, especially those in government like Ms. Guinto to help them continue excelling in their respective fields and in the international arena. During their visit, PSC met with officials of the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee (KSOC) and conducted site visits to the Jincheon National Training Center in Chungcheongbuk-do as well as the famous Olympic Park in Seoul, host to the 1988 Summer Olympics, as organized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. END

CHEONAN WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL FEATURES BAYANIHAN DANCE COMPANY

[Top left photo] Mayor Park Sang-don (center) officially welcoming the Philippines represented by the Bayanihan Dance Company at the welcome reception for the 2022 Cheonan World Dance Festival in Cheonan, Chungnam Province, Republic of Korea. [Top right photo] The Bayanihan Dance Company regales the audience with its introductory performance at the opening night of the 2022 Cheonan World Dance Festival. [Bottom photo] The Bayanihan Dance Company, led by Executive Director Marielle B. Javellana (front row, fourth from right), is joined by Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. in a photo opportunity during the opening night of the 2022 Cheonan World Dance Festival.

In its first international performance outside the Philippines since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world renowned Bayanihan Dance Company participated in the Cheonan World Dance Festival, showcasing Filipino artistry and creativity on the global stage.

Joining ensembles from Bulgaria, Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey, the Bayanihan proudly put together performances highlighting the rich and diverse indigenous dances, costumes, and folk narratives of the Philippines in the five-day festivity beginning on 21 September 2022.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul represented by Minister and Consul General Romulo Israel applauded their flag-carrying and goodwill-inspiring appearance before an international audience at the opening ceremony of the Cheonan World Dance Festival, which they won in 2011.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Marielle B. Javellana, the Bayanihan Dance Company will be taking part in other festivals in Korea and will return to the Philippines by the end of September. END