GOVPH

PHILIPPINES REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AT 8TH SESSION OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY STEERING COMMITTEE

26 September 2024, JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA - Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John E. Uy represented the Philippines at the 8th Session of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Steering Committee (APIS-SC-8) held in Jeju Island, South Korea from 25-26 September 2024. The meeting was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) for APIS, and hosted by the Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives (KFCC). Secretary Uy was joined by officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega. 

During the Steering Committee Meeting, the DICT Secretary reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to closing the digital divide using digital innovation to drive sustainable growth and digital inclusion. The Philippines recognized the essential role of technology, multilateral cooperation, and enhanced financing in advancing the 2030 Agenda. Secretary Uy also enjoined the meeting to take decisive steps in enhancing regional connectivity, a central goal of the APIS Action Plan 2022-2026, positioning the Asia-Pacific as a global leader in digital transformation. Secretary Uy also highlighted that the DICT is working to bridge the digital divide through policies that will enable Filipinos to participate in the digital economy. 

Organized by ESCAP and hosted by the Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives (KFCC), APIS-SC-8 focused on reviewing progress and discussing the 2024-2025 work plan and further solidifying the region’s dedication to digital cooperation and inclusion. Since 2016, the ESCAP secretariat has been promoting the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative (AP-IS). As a region-wide multi-stakeholder platform, AP-IS aims to bridge the digital divide and accelerate digital transformation by promoting digital connectivity, digital technology, and data use in the Asia Pacific region.

The Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives, ROK’s leading mutual financial institution, also hosted a forum in collaboration with the UN ESCAP on Community Development and Digital Financial Inclusion.  The forum, divided into multiple sessions, discussed the role of financial cooperatives in community development and Digital Financial Inclusion for Global Community Development. END

PHL EMBASSY AND PIKO SUCCESSFULLY HOLD 2024 SIYENTIPIKO RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM, STRENGTHENING PHILIPPINES-KOREA RELATIONS THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

21 September 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul co-hosted with the Pinoy Iskolar sa Korea (PIKo) and with the support of the Association of Filipino Educators in Korea (AFEK), Seoul National University - Asia Center, University of Southeastern Philippines - College of Applied Economics (USEP), and Batangas State University - ARASOF, the 2024 SiyentiPIKO Research Colloquium on 21 September 2024 at the SNU Asia Center.

Held both online and offline, the event attracted the participation of over 180 attendees, including 70 online participants and 110 offline participants. Themed "Paghahabi ng Kaalaman at Karunungan: Weaving the Fabric of Philippines-Korea Relations through Research, Development, and Innovation," this year’s Colloquium highlighted the strong relationship between the Philippines and South Korea, especially in the fields of research, development, and innovation.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the vital role of research in shaping policies and strengthening the Philippines-South Korea partnership. She noted that research drives innovation and informs strategic decision-making on key issues such as technology, education, sustainability, S and T, trade, infrastructure, AI, agriculture, the creative industries, and labor migration. The Ambassador encouraged PIKo and its participants to share their findings with the Philippine Embassy, as these insights could be valuable for government initiatives. Looking ahead, the Ambassador expressed the Embassy’s commitment to continue supporting Filipino students, academics, and researchers in South Korea and leveraging their work in fostering international cooperation and promoting knowledge exchange.

The Colloquium accepted research proposals and published works by Filipino students in South Korea under three thematic areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS); and Business, Entrepreneurship, and Mathematics (BEAM). 

A panel of judges, composed of professors from AFEK, selected the best research from each thematic area. The selected studies were Ms. Catherine Joy Escuadra, Ph.D. in Education, Ewha Womans University, and her study entitled “Outcomes Insights: A Learning Analytics Dashboard for Entry-Level Physical Therapy Learning Outcomes in a University in the Philippines” under HASS; Mr. Joseph Rei Mark Co, Masters in Economic Development Policy (Major in Sustainable and Inclusive Growth), KDI School of Public Policy and Management, and his study entitled “Public-Private Partnership for Highway Infrastructure Development in the Philippines” under BEAM; and Mr. Robie Vasquez, MS-PhD Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, and his study entitled “Oral Immunization with non-GMO surface displayed SARS-CoV-2 spike epitopes on bacteria-like particles provokes robust humoral and cellular immune responses, and modulated the gut microbiome in mice” under STEM.

The event also featured two distinguished plenary speakers, Dr. Cynthia P. Pantinople of Daegu University who spoke on “Engineering the Future Towards Global Excellence through Educational Partnerships between the Philippines and South Korea;” and Dr. Joeffrey Calimag of Kyungsung University, who presented his study on “Population and Economy: The Case of South Korea and the Philippines.”

The Philippine Embassy expresses its appreciation to PIKo, the co-organizers, and participants for making the 2024 SiyentiPIKO Research Colloquium a success. The Embassy looks forward to future collaborations with PIKo and eagerly anticipates next year’s colloquium, fostering further innovation and strengthening Philippines-South Korea academic engagement. END

PHILIPPINES PRESENTS FIRST STANDALONE PH PAVILION AT THE 2024 GWANGJU BIENNALE

7 September 2024, Gwangju – The 2024 Gwangju Biennale theme of “Pansori - A Soundscape for the 21st Century” explored the interplay of space, images, and sound which inform social, political, ecological, gender, and power dynamics. Under the Artistic Direction of Nicolas Bourriaud, the latest edition is the largest in the history of the biennale with 31 country pavilions and a main pavilion featuring artists using different artistic media.

The Philippine Pavilion entitled “Locations of Freedom” features the works of renowned Filipino artists Adjani Arumpac, Sari Dalena, Toym Leon Imao, Dennis “Sio” Montreal, Paul Eric Roca, Veejay Villafranca with Karl Castro as designer. Avie Felix, one of the participating artists, likewise served as the pavilion curator. 

The Philippine Pavilion is supported by the vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery, Fundacion Sanso, Imao Studios, the University of the Philippines Film Institute, the Philippine Embassy in Korea, and the Gwangju Biennale Foundation. 

The Philippine pavilion was among those viewed by Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol a day before the opening of the Biennale on 5 September 2024. The other country pavilions visited by the ROK President included Vietnam and Singapore.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Artist-Curator Avie Felix, and Artist Veejay Villafranca were present to help guide President Yoon through the country pavilion at the Asia Culture Center of Gwangju.  

President Yoon was particularly struck by the photo art of Mr. Villafranca, the works of Felix, and the sculptural pieces by Toym Leon Imao which he said were a “moving homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the attainment of freedom” which strikes a familiar chord in Korean history. The Gwangju Biennale will run from 6 September 2024 to 01 December 2024 at the National Asia Culture Center, Gwangju. 

The Philippine Pavilion is part of the ASEAN cluster of pavilions on display at the sprawling National Asia Culture Center a mixed exhibition, art, and library, and multi-use space in Gwangju under the management of the ROK Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. 

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega and Philippine Embassy Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista and all the participating artists likewise took part in the opening ceremony for the ASEAN-Korea Centre Pavilion and the individual country pavilions of six ASEAN member countries. END