The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE MICE ROADSHOW 2023 HELD IN MAJOR CITIES IN KOREA

Top L-R: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivering her opening remarks at the Seoul leg of the Philippine MICE Roadshow 2023 and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles presenting the Philippines as the ideal Bleisure Destination. Below: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and COO Nograles were joined by DOT regional officers and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr (rightmost) of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and Tourism Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo (second from left) of the Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea.

21 October 2023, Seoul. The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) led by its Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles conducted the Philippine MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions) Roadshow 2023 in the Republic of Korea from 09 to 19 October 2023. The roadshow spearheaded by the Department of Tourism kicked-off with a series of tourism promotion activities in Busan on 11 October 2023, in Yeosu on 13 October 2023, in Suwon on 17 October 2023, and the culminating event in Seoul on 18 October 2023.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Philippine MICE Roadshow 2023 in Seoul, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega warmly welcomed Philippine industry partners, Korean travel trade partners, media representatives and Philippine government officials participating in the event. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega described the Philippines as a land of breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm-hearted people, which makes it an ideal choice for hosting events that leave a lasting impression. She said that “this roadshow is not solely about business and tourism, it is about strengthening the bridges of cultural understanding between our nations, nurturing relationships that go beyond business transactions, and creating lasting connections that promote collaboration, innovation and growth in the Philippine and international MICE industry.”

TPB COO Nograles highlighted that the roadshow is the very first MICE-related event in Korea marking the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a brighter future for Philippine tourism through the MICE industry, thereby placing the spotlight on the Philippines’ great potential for economic development. She presented the Philippines as an ideal Bleisure Destination, a growing trend post-pandemic that combines business and leisure travel.

Traveling to the Philippines is convenient due to the short travel time and availability of flight options with numerous daily flights from major cities such as Seoul and Busan to major airports in the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Bohol International airports. Among the compelling reasons why travelers should consider the Philippines in planning a trip include the Filipino brand of service excellence, travel convenience, value for money destinations, favorable exchange rate, stunning nature, award-winning islands, and high-quality venues and first class hotel facilities for business activities.

As of 02 October 2023, the Philippines recorded a total of 1,068,915 Korean travelers who visited the Philippines. The Republic of Korea is the Philippines’ number 1 source of visitor arrivals.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul expressed its continued support to the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board on their initiatives to promote the Philippines’ potential as a MICE destination. END

Philippine tourism stakeholders joining the roadshow discuss various tourism programs with South Korean events and incentive travel companies during the business-to-business networking session. They were also serenaded by Ms. Mishka R. Camulte during the event.

PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA UNDERSCORE SHARED COMMITMENT TO DEEPEN MARITIME COOPERATION IN 2ND MARITIME DIALOGUE

[First photo] DFA Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce with her ROK Counterpart, MOFA Director General Kim Dong Bae meet in Manila for the 2nd PH-ROK Maritime Dialogue held on 12 October 2023. [Second photo] The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce and to her left is Philippine Ambassador to ROK, Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega. [Third Photo] Delegation members of the Philippines and Korea to the 2^nd Maritime Dialogue poses for quick a photo opportunity.

12 October 2023, Seoul – The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea is pleased to share the press release issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs on the 2^nd Philippines – ROK Maritime Dialogue held on 12 October 2023 in Manila. Maritime cooperation is one of the most important aspects of PH-ROK bilateral relations and is the way forward of our long-standing and dynamic partnership.

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) underscored their shared commitment to deepen maritime cooperation as the two countries’ delegations met in Manila, for the second Philippines-ROK Maritime Dialogue, on October 12.

The two sides acknowledged the importance of the oceans to their national interests as they seek to build on their already robust engagement in the field of maritime cooperation.

The Maritime Dialogue covered a broad range of topics, including ocean economy, marine environment, maritime security and safety, and regional and multilateral maritime-related developments.

In her opening remarks, the Head of the Philippine Delegation, Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs said that this year’s Maritime Dialogue was “an opportune occasion to reaffirm our commitment to the enhancement of our mutual engagement in the maritime domain,” ahead of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations in 2024.

Assistant Secretary Ponce also took the opportunity to thank the ROK for citing the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea in its written submission to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the request for an advisory opinion related to climate change.

The ROK Delegation, for its part, said that the success of the Maritime Dialogue with the Philippines—its only maritime dialogue with ASEAN Member States—would serve as a model for the establishment of similar mechanisms with countries in the region in the future.

The Philippine Delegation included Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega and other DFA officials, supported by representatives of various national agencies in charge of maritime-related matters. The ROK Delegation, on the other hand, led by Foreign Ministry Director General Kim Dong Bae, was supported by representatives of key national government agencies. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOSTS A PHILIPPINE APPRECIATION AND NETWORKING NIGHT FOR FDCP AT THE BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (BIFF)

(Photos: Left - Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega delivers her welcome and congratulatory remarks. Right - FDCP Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz III conveys his appreciation and support to guests from the Korean film and creative industry.)

10 October 2023, Busan - The 28^th Busan International Film Festival was held recently from 04 to 13 October 2023. BIFF is now the most-attended international film festival event in Asia.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea hosted a “Philippine Appreciation and Networking Night” in honor of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by Chairperson & CEO Tirso Cruz III with guests from the Philippine and Korean film, creative content, cultural, and academic sectors.

The FDCP, along with other Philippine creatives, participated in the BIFF and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) during the more than week-long festival.

Ambassador Dizon – De Vega congratulated the FDCP Delegation and Filipino creatives for representing Philippine cinema at this years’ BIFF. She likewise updated the audience on the recently signed Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement as it stands to benefit the local film industry with provisions on potential cooperation in the film and creative industries.

For his part, Chairperson Cruz expressed his gratitude for the continued support of Philippine Cinema by the Philippine Embassy and the Korean creative and film industry.

Among the special guests at the reception were Korea Film Council Chairperson Mr. Park Ki-young, BIFF & ACFM General Manager for Public Relations Mr. Daniel Kim, Busan Film Commission Director & CEO Mr. Kang Sung Kyu, NEWONE Cinema (producer and distributor) Mr. Sony Won, Film and TV Actor Hoseung Jung, ASEAN Culture House Director General Mr. In-Hyuck Lee, Prof. Jeoffrey Calimag, and Busan University of Foreign Studies Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies Director Dr. Dong-yeob Kim.

(Photo: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega, Chairperson Tirso Cruz III, Special Guests and the FDCP Delegation pose for commemorative photos.)

Philippine participation at this year’s BIFF include: Essential Truths of the Lake (BIFF Film Icon Selection) produced by Ms. Bianca Balbuena and Directed by Lav Diaz; Filipiñana (Asian Project Market Selection), Director Rafael Manuel; Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (Asian Contents Awards nominees– Best Reality & Variety) produced by Lee Joseph M. Castel and Bryan Kristoffer J. Brazil; Moro (BIFF – Jiseok Award Selection), Directed by Brillante Mendoza; Daughters of the Sea (Asian Project Market Selection) Martika Escobar; Xixi by Wu Fan (Asian Cinema Fund Selection) Venice Atienza; and Arjo Atayde (Best Actor nominee Asian Contents Awards).

The film “Filipiñana” directed by Rafael Manuel and produced by Jeremy Chua won 3 awards at the 2023 Asian Project Market (APM).

(Photo: Special guests from the Korean film sector, academe, government and private organizations pose for a commemorative photo.)

The Philippine Embassy’s Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista was also present at the reception. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH SERVICE AND OVERSEAS VOTER MOBILE REGISTRATION IN GANGWON, SEOUL AND DAEGU

PR MTD 141 2023

15 October, 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy conducted a series of consular outreach missions in Gangwon on 30 September 2023, Seoul on 01 October 2023, and Daegu on 7 to 8 October 2023, with the cooperation of and in partnership with JIL-Korea, MCGI-Korea and the Daegu Filipino Community Council. Led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., the consular team rendered a total of 144 units of consular and Assistance to Nationals services to members of the Filipino community.

Representatives from Pag-IBIG and OWWA also joined the outreach and rendered a combined 116 services, including renewal of OWWA membership, and opening of Pag-IBIG regular and MP2 accounts. The Embassy also conducted an Overseas Voter Mobile Registration and processed the application of 157 Overseas Filipino Voters.

The Embassy looks forward to working with more Filipino Community organizations as partners in promoting Overseas Voter Registration among the growing Filipino population in Korea. The next outreach missions are scheduled on 22 and 29 October 2023 in Changwon and Pyeongtaek, respectively. END