GOVPH

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN THE 13TH FEALAC CYBER SECRETARIAT WORKSHOP

18 June 2023, Seoul. The Philippines participated in the 13^th Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Cyber Secretariat Workshop held on 15 June 2023 at the Westin Josun Seoul. Under the theme “New Action, New Era: Revitalizing FEALAC Cooperation in Overcoming Shared Global Challenges”, the workshop gathered representatives and experts from East Asia and Latin America to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two regions and share best practices and ideas in revitalizing FEALAC projects.

The Philippines, as one of the active members of FEALAC, looks forward to continuous cooperation within the and will strive to support FEALAC projects in East Asia as well as in the Latin American region including through fresh funding to the FEALAC Trust Fund.

Announced early in the year by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega in a meeting with Director General Jong Uk Choi of MOFA, the Philippines is seeking to enhance its engagement in inter-regional cooperation between East Asia and Latin America with the additional donation to the fund.

FEALAC was established in 1999 and is the only multilateral consultative body that brings the East Asia and Latin American regions very close. The Republic of Korea launched the FEALAC Cyber Secretariat in 2011 has been implementing diverse projects and activities since.

Deputy Minister Youngsam Choi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea in his opening remarks stated that the Republic of Korea aims to be a GPS nation, a “Global Pivotal State” and pursues the Indo Pacific Strategy to expand this cooperation beyond the geographical constrains of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.

The Philippines, like the Republic of Korea, sees East Asia and Latin America as key partners in realizing this vision and looks forward to strengthening its partnership with each member state of FEALAC through bilateral and multilateral channels in the future. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY ADMINISTERS OATH TO OFFICERS OF ILOCANOS IN SOUTH KOREA AND KABABAIHAN SA KOREA

21 May 2023, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega administered the oath-taking of the officers of two Filipino community organizations, Ilocanos in South Korea (ISK) and the Kababaihan sa South Korea (KSK), on 21 May 2023 at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Philippine Embassy.

Organized in 2018, ISK has been conducting various programs for their members and the Filipino community in South Korea, including sports festivals and community outreach. Led by its President Ms. Cherry Lyn Tolentino, ISK expressed their continued commitment to support Embassy activities geared towards the uplifting of the general welfare and profile of the Filipino community.

Also on the same date, the Ambassador presented the KSK with their Certificate of Registration as a new Filipino community organization. The organization, led by its first President Ms. Amabella A. Lee, aims to, among others, support women and assist them in developing their potential as “creative leaders, change-makers, and collaborators” in their respective communities or workplace.

Witnessing the recognition and oath-taking were Consul General Romulo Victor “Jun” Israel, Jr., Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, and Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista.

The Philippine Embassy continues to accept new registration, renewal, or administration of oaths for the induction of newly elected officers of Filipino community organizations in South Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/filipino_community.asp. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AND FILIPINO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION UNITED FIL-KOREAN FAMILIES (UFF) PARTICIPATES IN THE BUSAN GLOBAL GATHERING 2023

20 May 2023, Busan – The Philippine Embassy participated in the 18th Busan Global Gathering 2023 multicultural festival on 20 May 2023 in Busan, South Korea together with the United Fil-Korean Families (UFF), a Filipino Community organization based in Busan led by its President Maria Cherry Baek and Vice President Darreliza Ramos.

The UFF members came in full force donning traditional Filipino attire. Master Hongjae Baek and his partner, Ms. Nayeong Yeo, both children of multicultural families, won first place in the national costume competition. The designers of their winning Filipiniana attire are Mr. Vrian Jhet Federico, also from a multicultural family, and Ms. Linda Lee.

The “Flores de Mayo” themed UFF booth highlighted the rich and vibrant culture of the Philippines, showcased the Filipino talent and creativity and offered Filipino delicacies and tourism brochures to the multicultural crowd.

The Busan Global Gathering Festival 2023, with its theme “A Global City, Connecting the World” was participated in by Ambassador Dizon – De Vega and other members of the diplomatic corps based in Seoul who graced the VIP Reception and Opening Ceremony of the festival hosted by the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation (BFIC), and held at the Busan Cinema Center. The Embassy’s Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista likewise attended the activity.

Opening Remarks were delivered by the Secretary-General of the BFIC, Mr. Hwang Ki-sik, while Ms. Song Kyung-ju, of the Busan Metropolitan City delivered the Welcome Remarks. The Busan Metropolitan Council was represented by Mr. Choi Young-jin who delivered his congratulatory remarks.

The Korean Ministry of Justice – Busan Immigration Office, World Expo 2030 Busan, Women and Multicultural Family Support Center and Busan Foreign Residents Center Outreach Counseling and other government offices also offered their services to the visitors of the festival. On the part of the Filipino Community, second generation Filipino-Koreans and Filipino students based in Busan served as volunteers with the Youth Multicultural International Service Corps for the event. END