GOVPH

PHILIPPINE TOURISM SECTOR INVITES TRAVELERS TO CENTRAL LUZON DURING KOREA ROADSHOW

25 August 2024, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered opening remarks during the Central Luzon product presentation conducted by the Department of Tourism Region 3 (DOT 3), Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD Corp.), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Provincial Tourism Office of Bataan and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea Office (PDOT-Korea) on 22 August 2024 at the Korea Press Center Building, Jung-gu, Seoul, ROK. The product presentation is part of the Central Luzon Tourism Development Roadshow that aims to boost inbound tourism to Central Luzon.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that Clark remains the number one tourism destination in the Central Luzon area. It is conveniently located less than two hours from the heart of Manila through a modern system of highways and roads. It is serviced by the new, efficient, modern, and award-winning Clark International Airport which has been adjudged among the best in its airport category globally and which is accessible by direct flights from several Korean locations. Clark provides multifaceted tourism and travel experiences from heritage tourism, farm tourism, leisure tourism, convention facilities, and culinary experiences. She likewise sought the support of Korean partners in promoting Clark as a unique, fun, and memorable travel destination.

Ms. Elenita Lorezo Manager of the Tourism Promotions Division of CDC, Ms. Raquel J. Delos Reyes, Division Chief 3, Tourism Department of SBMA, and Ms. Chriselle Yambao, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of DOT 3 made presentations on the various tourism destinations in the Central Luzon area to over 50 participants coming from the Korean travel and tourism sector as well as representatives from the media.

A day prior to the event, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was joined by PDOT-Korea Tourism Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo in receiving the delegation from the CDC headed by its President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, DOT Region 3 headed by STOO Chriselle Yambao, SBMA Division Chief 3 Raquel Delos Reyes and LIPAD Corp. led by their President and CEO Mr. Noel F. Manankil at the Sentro Rizal Conference Room of the Philippine Embassy. END

KINGS OF PINOY POP AND NCCA YOUTH AMBASSADORS SB19 VISIT SENTRO RIZAL AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL

28 August 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul was very pleased to welcome National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors SB19 to the Chancery on 28 August 2024. Considered trailblazers in bringing contemporary Asian pop music to the global stage, SB19 is an award-winning Philippine Pop boy group with a mission to promote the Filipino spirit, music, and culture worldwide.

SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin are also advocates of promoting Philippine arts and culture worldwide through Sentro Rizal. Sentro Rizal aims to promote Philippine arts, culture, and language throughout the world through the establishment of Philippine centers in various countries which initiate and organize cultural training programs and activities for overseas Filipinos. Sentro Rizal has thirty-eight (38) sites all over the world, including the Sentro Rizal Hall and Library located at the 2/F of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul which the group visited.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed SB19 to the Sentro Rizal Library and expressed her appreciation for the band’s solid contribution to uplifting the Filipino identity through their music and stellar performance. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also gave the band commemorative pins bearing the 75th anniversary logo of PH-ROK relations during their visit.

SB19 was in South Korea to receive the Voices of Asia Award, which honors their "groundbreaking contributions to Filipino music and their unwavering championing of P-pop on the global stage,” and which the group dedicated to the P-pop movement, Original Pilipino Music (OPM), and to every Filipino that shares their creativity and passion across Asia and the world. Filipina pop group Bini also received the same award.

The strong ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea are built through our people-to-people exchanges, particularly our shared affinity for music. In their role as Filipino music icons and cultural ambassadors, SB19 has been an active and solid partner of the Philippine Embassy in furthering PH-ROK cultural cooperation through numerous events, including headlining the 2024 Pistang Pinoy sa Korea Independence Day celebration in Busan last June and band member Josh Cullen’s solo stage at the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival Round in July 2024.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul will continue to advocate and initiate activities that bring the Philippines and the Republic of Korea closer together through culture, music, and the arts. END

Liga ng Mga Barangay Bicol Regional Chapter Conducts Benchmarking Activity in the Republic of Korea

25 August 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a 95-member delegation from the Liga ng Mga Barangay Bicol Regional Chapter consisting of barangay officials from the municipalities of Legazpi City, Pio Duran, and Daraga on their benchmarking activity in the Republic of Korea. The delegation was led by the Board Member Hisham B. Ismail, Regional LIGA President – Bicol Region.

On 21 August 2024, the delegation honored the sacrifices of the Philippine soldiers who served during the Korean War through a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Roll of Honors at the War Memorial of Korea (WMOK). Mr. Ismail and senior members of the delegation were joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario in a meeting with the Honorable Baek Seung-Joo, President of the War Memorial of Korea.

In their visit to the Embassy, the delegation was welcomed by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed her appreciation to the delegation for visiting the Embassy during a commemorative year of the 75^th Anniversary of PH-ROK diplomatic relations. She likewise conveyed that among the tasks of the Embassy is to facilitate more active and impactful subnational cooperation between the Philippines and Korea.

The delegation likewise received a briefing from Agriculture Attaché Lev Nikko Macalintal on Philippines-Korea agricultural relations with particular focus on the mandate of the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul (PAO-Seoul), agriculture data and PH-ROK agriculture projects. Agriculture Attaché Macalintal also discussed possible agriculture engagement with the ROK which may interest the Bicol region.

The Philippine Embassy will continue to provide assistance to PH local government entities in their efforts to obtain best practices from ROK local governments that may be implemented in their respective areas. END