The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SOUTH KOREA HOLDS ONLINE LEADERS’ FORUM 2020

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2020 Leaders’ Forum: Zoomustahan with FilCom Leaders in Korea by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Chargé d’affaires a.i. Christian L. de Jesus

Seoul, 2 November 2020- The Philippine Embassy in Seoul held an online Leaders’ Forum on 31 October 2020, which brought together around seventy (70) leaders of Filipino organizations, religious communities, and migrant center partners in South Korea, and the Philippine Embassy officers and personnel headed by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus.

For many years, the Leaders’ Forum has served as the dialogue platform between the Embassy and Filipino community, through their respective leaders, on consular, labor and other urgent matters. By holding the online meeting, the Embassy was able to fulfill its commitment to regularly consult, inform and engage with the Filipino community despite social distancing measures during the pandemic.

In his address, CDA de Jesus lauded the enabling role of the Filipino community leaders in implementing the programs of the Embassy and for initiating assistance to their respective members on the ground especially during the pandemic. “Hindi po lubos na magagawa ng Embahada ang aming tungkulin kung wala ang ating mga Filipino community leaders,” CDA de Jesus said. Upon his designation earlier this year as Chargé d’affaires, a.i. until the assumption of a new Ambassador, he said that the FilCom leaders were his constant source of information, ideas, friendly advice, and constructive feedback as the Embassy faced new challenges and implemented changes in its frontline services. “Kayo po ang nagsilbing inspirasyon namin, at taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo for your teamwork with the Embassy and for heeding the call of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in coming together to heal as one community in this time of pandemic,” the CDA added.

During the Forum, the detailed presentations and ensuing open forum focused on the latest consular and labor updates, particularly on the Embassy appointment system, Overseas Absentee Voting, entry and exit requirements to or from the Philippines and Korea, anti-illegal recruitment, online reintegration seminars, arrival and quarantine services for returning Filipinos in the Philippines, and the new DOLE-OWWA livelihood grant program for OFW groups. The concept of a FilCom event in December, “Paskong Pinoy 2020” was also presented and unanimously endorsed by the FilCom leaders. Labor Attaché Maya Valderrama and POLO-OWWA Korea led the participatory activities for the attendees.

The FilCom leaders expressed their appreciation to the Embassy for the highly informative and interactive Forum. “Thank you so much for a well-organized Zoomustahan meeting. It has been a notable experience for me. It did not only bring us new experience but also saved us a lot of time especially as we normally need at least 10 hours to travel to and from Seoul,” said Mhar Peji of the Filipino community in Geoje.

In closing, CDA de Jesus advised the participants that he would continue to welcome suggestions and initiatives of the FilCom leaders as new challenges continue to emerge due to the pandemic. “These are extraordinary times, and often, we find that the solutions and answers are neither tailor-made nor easily available. We appeal to you for your continued support and understanding as the Philippine government, in cooperation with the host government, exerts coordinated efforts to address these new challenges,” he said. END

TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE CUISINE: LUTONG BAHAY NI MAMA SITA

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30 August 2020. The Philippine Embassy in South Korea, in cooperation with the Philippine Agriculture Office-Seoul and Mama Sita Foundation, launched a special project on Philippine cuisine entitled Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita, a series of videos on Philippine food promotion to generate greater awareness of Philippine food in Korea and to provide an opportunity to learn and experience Philippine culture during the pandemic.

The project also aims to encourage the Filipino community in Korea to be partners in the promotion of Philippine cuisine, to inform the wider community of the availability of Philippine products and ingredients in the Korean market and to invite the Korean public to visit the Philippines when normal travel resumes.

About 60 guests attended the virtual launch of Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita on 30 August 2020. The guests included leaders and members Filipino-Korean migrants associations, Filipino workers, associates from various Korean cultural organizations, Korean and Filipino business owners and food enthusiasts.

During his welcome message, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus underscored that during this time of travel restrictions, “our food is our connection to, and a reminder of our country.” He also reminded the migrant multicultural families of their important role in bridging the cultural divides and fostering mutual understanding between the Filipino and Korean cultures. He emphasized that through sharing our food, which is an extension of our Filipino heritage and identity, Filipino migrants can help influence the wider community to be more accepting of another culture.

In his special video message, the Honorable Secretary of Agriculture William D. Dar mentioned that South Korea is included among the Philippines’ top 5 export markets for Philippine agriculture and fisheries products, and the Philippines enjoyed a net surplus of more than US$300 Million from its agri-fisheries trade with Korea in 2019. Secretary Dar stated that the Department of Agriculture, through the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul, is engaging in new and innovative ways of actively promoting not only traditional Philippine agri-fisheries exports but also new food export items through online platforms such as this collaborative project with Mama Sita’s. Secretary Dar lauded the efforts poured in the project saying that, “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they have done an admirable job in promoting the Philippines, Filipino culture and identity through gastronomy.” He also expressed the hope that with the support of the Filipino community in Korea and Korean food bloggers, grocery chains, restaurants and other food and cultural institutions, Philippine cuisine will also attain the recognition and patronage that other foreign cuisines enjoy in Korea.

Mrs. Clara Lapus, President of Mama Sita Foundation delivered an inspirational message where she narrated to the guests the beginnings of Mama Sita. She also talked about the similarities in the food cultures of Filipinos and Koreans. Apart from encouraging the guests to try Mama Sita’s simple and healthy lutong bahay (home-cooked) recipes, Mrs. Lapus also paid tribute to the dedicated Filipino suppliers and hardworking farmers who are partners in bringing Philippine products and flavors to our dining tables.

The Embassy received positive feedback from the participants in the virtual launch of Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita.

Filipino marriage migrant community leader Mrs. Fe Kim welcomed this project and expressed that some members of her association are planning to open a small Filipino restaurant as they were greatly encouraged by the availability of Philippine products and ingredients in Korea.

Korean food blogger Hungry Seoul wrote on his Facebook page about his excitement for the cooking videos on Philippine cuisine: “Even though Korean food uses a lot of chilis, there are still a lot of similarities with Filipino food. This is why I love eating Filipino food as well.”

The Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita marks the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the Buwan ng Wika in August. END

31 August 2020

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(L-R) Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus, Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, Mama Sita Foundation President Clara R. Lapus, and Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang, during the official launch of the Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita, with guests from the Filipino married migrant communities, Korean cultural organizations, food businesses and food enthusiasts

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL ASSISTS 143 FILIPINOS WITH SPECIAL FLIGHT TO MANILA

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Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria Viejo delivers the message of Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus to the departing Overseas Filipinos during the briefing on health protocols that passengers undergo upon arrival at NAIA.

Seoul, 05 August 2020 – As part of its continuing effort to assist Overseas Filipinos in South Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul arranged another special passenger flight from Incheon to Manila via Asiana Airlines OZ 703 on 05 August 2020. A total of 143 landbased and seabased Overseas Filipino Workers joined the special flight.

To date, the Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs have arranged a total of 8 special passenger flights and facilitated the return of 1,412 stranded Overseas Filipinos, with the support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Manila International Airport Authorities (MIAA).

Before the flight’s departure, Philippine Embassy officials met the departing Overseas Filipinos at Incheon Airport and walked them through the necessary preparations for the health protocols they will undergo upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. As in the past, the Embassy also distributed vitamins and face masks to all departing passengers, courtesy of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO OWWA Korea).

The Overseas Filipinos expressed their appreciation to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Philippine Government for facilitating their return to the Philippines. END

06 August 2020

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Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria Viejo, ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, and Protocol Officer Denni Carlo Marnilego pose with the 143 Overseas Filipinos departing on the special Asiana Airline flight OZ 703.

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Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria Viejo, ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, and Protocol Officer Denni Carlo Marnilego with departing Overseas Filipinos on the Asiana Airlines flight OZ 703.

DOLE AKAP OFW BENEFICIARIES IN SOUTH KOREA REACH MORE THAN 700

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“Napakalaking tulong po ito! Hindi ko akalain. Salamat po!” 700^th DOLE AKAP grantee, Mr. Edwin Mendoza Castillo, a Forklift Operator from Icheon, personally received the USD200 from POLO OWWA Korea.

Seoul, 2 August 2020 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to provide cash relief to Overseas Filipino Workers whose employment were affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic, through the DOLE AKAP.

More than 700 OFWs in South Korea have received the one-time financial cash assistance amounting to USD200 each under the DOLE AKAP, a program being implemented by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) to assist OFWs worldwide who are displaced by the pandemic.

According to Chargé d’affaires a.i., Christian L. de Jesus, OFWs in Korea who were displaced from their jobs, whether permanently or temporarily due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, and those who were quarantined for 14-days upon arrival may apply for DOLE AKAP. “The Embassy continues to assist Filipinos in Korea amidst the pandemic. Since March, we have extended assistance by providing masks, hygiene kits, and food packages to our kababayans especially those in the most affected areas in Korea. We have also organized seven (7) special flights for around 1,200 Filipinos who found themselves stranded in Korea due to cancellation of flights from Incheon to Manila. And for those whose employment or income were seriously affected due to the economic impact of COVID-19, our OFWs in Korea were extended cash aid under DOLE AKAP,” said CDA de Jesus.

OFWs in Korea who received DOLE AKAP sent SMS and email messages expressing appreciation for the timely assistance provided by the Philippine government.

“Isa po ako sa dumating last June 25 dito. Malaking tulong po para samin ito na na-Mandatory Quarantine ng 14 Days. Muli po, maraming maraming salamat po.” (R. Macay, Sincere worker)

“Grateful po ako sa tulong na naibigay ninyo sa akin sa pamamagitan ng mabilis na pag proseso ng ayudang 200 dollar. Malaking kaginhawahan po ang halagang ito ngayong panahong may Covid 19 sa Korea. Kahit na undocumented po ako ay natulungan nyo ako. Maraming salamat po, Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte.” (R. Arasanzo, factory worker)

“Salamat po muli lalong lalo na po sa bayan kong Pilipinas, ramdam namin ang pagmamahal ng sariling bayan namin.” (E.J. Espinar, EPS worker)

POLO OWWA continues to receive applications for DOLE AKAP from OFWs in Korea. For information and application form, please check out the Embassy website and POLO-Korea FB Page or call 02 3785-3634/5 for inquiries. END

02 August 2020