GOVPH

PHILIPPINE TOURISM CAMPAIGN “IT’S MORE FUN WITH YOU IN THE PHILIPPINES” AT THE HYUNDAI SEOUL

14 June 2022, Seoul – Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega attended the opening ceremony of the “It’s More Fun with You in the Philippines” at The Hyundai Seoul on 14 June 2022. The hybrid campaign is a special project of the Philippine Department of Tourism Korea (PDOT-Korea) aimed to promote the Philippines as a fun and safe travel destination in the new normal. It likewise aims to position the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination for Korean travelers with the opening of Philippine borders to foreign tourists and easing of pandemic restrictions.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was joined by Philippine Department of Tourism-Korea Director Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo, Mr. Alex Macatuno of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, Mr. Chang Sup Kim Senior Managing Director of the Hyundai Seoul, Ms. Misun Song CEO of Hana Tour and Mr. Intae You CEO of Mode Tour during the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch the tourism campaign. Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) COO Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones is also in Korea to visit the event site and to meet with Korean Travel and Tour industry companies and travel media.

Guests and participants enjoyed a brief tour of the pop-up event with an interactive display of Philippine tourism destinations like Palawan, Boracay, Clark, Bohol, Cebu, Manila, Siargao and the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal. END

PH EMBASSY HOLDS TRADITIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY RECEPTION FOR THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, KOREAN, AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

14 June 2022, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Korea held its first traditional Diplomatic Reception in three years. The event was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Itaewon, Seoul with 200 guests from the diplomatic corps, the Korean Government, and partners of the Philippines in the economic, security, political, cultural, educational, artistic, labor, agriculture, tourism, media, and other fields. 

In her toast remarks, Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega recalled the sacrifices of Filipino heroes as well as modern-day Filipinos as they navigate the increasingly complex path towards a peaceful, just, progressive, and sustainable future. She likewise celebrated the enduring and historic ties between the Philippines and Korea forged during the Korean War and moving ever forward. The Philippines and Korea mark 73 years of diplomatic relations and will commemorate a milestone 75 years of ties in 2024.

Korean Defense Acquisition Program Authority (DAPA) Minister Kang Eun-Ho and Trade, Industry, and Energy Deputy Minister Dr. Chun Yoon-Joong offered congratulatory remarks on the occasion. They joined Ambassador Carlos Victor Bongou, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and also Non-resident Ambassador of Gabon to the Philippines and Director General Cecilia Chung of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a ceremonial cake-cutting with Ambassador De Vega.

Cultural performances by vocalist Mr. Yuli Leonor and the Pearl of the Orient and Filipino Catholic Community of Seoul cultural groups further enlivened the occasion. Some of the guests also danced the popular folkdance "Tinikling" with the performers. 

Philippine cuisine, drinks, and fruits were enjoyed by the guests while Cebu Pacific Airlines gave away two roundtrip tickets for Seoul to Manila for the evening's lucky draw.

Other major Philippine events this month include starting this week an interactive travel promotion event organized by the Philippine Department of Tourism Korea office with the support of travel industry partners at the newest and trendiest mall in Korea - The Hyundai Seoul from 14 to 20 June. There will likewise be a Filipino Community Leaders’ Forum on 18 June to be held in person for the first time in more than two years in Seoul in time for Philippine Independence Month and Migrant Workers’ Month and the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Sentro Rizal-Seoul on 19 June. END

PH EMBASSY IN SEOUL COMMEMORATES THE 124TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROCLAMATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

12 JUNE 2022, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 124^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Embassy grounds with a series of events starting with a flag-raising ceremony led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega with officers and staff of the Embassy and heads of attached services.

In Independence Day message livestreamed via the Embassy’s official Facebook page, Ambassador Dizon–De Vega recalled the heroism and valor not only of the nation’s forebears who secured for the country the gifts of freedom and democracy but also the present-day Filipinos, particularly overseas Filipinos who responded resiliently to the challenges of the more than two-year pandemic. The Ambassador added, “On this special day, as we commemorate our solidarity and our unity as a nation and as a people, I hope that you will all individually take time to reflect upon the legacy of our heroes of the past and present especially our community here in the Republic of Korea, because all of you in your own ways are continuing to rise towards the challenges of a new beginning”.

The Ambassadors' message was followed by the reading of the Independence Day messages from DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez by Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay, DND Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana by Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Colonel Enriqueto R. Deocadez Jr, DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello by Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, DFA Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. by Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel and President Rodrigo R. Duterte by Ambassador Dizon - De Vega.

On the same day, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega delivered brief Independence Day Remarks for the Filipino Community at the Filipino mass held at Hyehwa-Dong Catholic Church in Seoul. END