GOVPH

PH ENVOY LEADS ASEAN COUNTRIES AT THE 3RD ASEAN AMBASSADORS AND KOREAN BANK CEOs DINNER

PH EMBASSY LINKS UP WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN BUSAN

BUSAN, 25 November 2017 – Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez led a nine-member team from the Philippine Embassy in conducting a two-day consular outreach mission in Busan, the second largest city in South Korea and the number one trading port where approximately 2,060 registered Filipinos reside.

The consular outreach, the second in Busan this year, was held at the Philippine Honorary Consulate General located in the Gumjeong District in coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consul General, Dr. An Sang-wook and with the assistance of Ms. Ruby Alano, Ms. Erika B. Kang, Pastor Nicolas Cepe, Jr., Ms. Andrea Carla Cepe and Pastor Joel Caranay. 304 Filipinos availed of consular services including passport renewal, report of birth and notarial, as well as services for Pag-IBIG and OEC.

As part of the consular outreach, Ambassador Hernandez led a community forum where various issues affecting overseas Filipinos including consular and labor matters were discussed. Leaders and members of the Filipino community from Busan, Gimhae, Changwon, Masan, Ulsan and Geoje participated, as well as contingency plan area coordinators Mr. Mario Ramirez (Busan), Mr. Michael Sarmiento (Gimhae) and Ms. Hermie Albao (Ulsan). Ambassador Hernandez also reported on matters of interest to the community, such as the ten-year validity of passports beginning 01 January 2018, overseas voting, and updates on the Embassy’s contingency plan in case of an outbreak of armed hostilities between North and South Korea. Area coordinators were each given an Emergency Grab Bag to take back to their respective communities to spread awareness and encourage preparation for contingencies.

Assisting Ambassador Hernandez in the presentations were Consul General Christian de Jesus, Labor Attaché Ma. Luz Talento and Second Secretary Mildred Abordo. Honorary Consul General to Busan, Dr. An Sang-wook, graciously hosted the forum.

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PH ENVOY TO ROK AWARDED SEOUL HONORARY CITIZENSHIP

Seoul, 30 November 2017 – Philippine Ambassador to ROK Raul S. Hernandez was awarded the 2017 Seoul Honorary Citizenship by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in a ceremony presided by Seoul Mayor Park Won-Soon on 29 November 2017 in Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul. The ceremony was attended by families and friends of the awardees, members of Seoul’s business, arts, and civil communities, as well as representatives from the diplomatic corps. Twelve other awardees from different sectors were conferred with the award.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government confers Seoul Honorary Citizenships in an annual ceremony to recognize foreign nationals who have demonstrated their love and dedication to the city and its residents by contributing to their development and well- being. Foreign honorees should be Seoul residents for at least three consecutive years or cumulative of five years and be recommended by community leaders or heads of Seoul-based organizations. 

Since 1958, 707 foreign residents of Seoul from 94 countries have been conferred with honorary citizenships. The new Seoul honorary citizens will be provided with the opportunity to participate in events hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and are permitted free admission to the Seoul Museum of Art, the Seoul Museum of History, the Seoul Grand Park, and other public facilities owned and operated by Seoul city.

Notable awardees of the past include actor Jackie Chan (1999), James Bond actor Roger Moore (2002), former US ambassador to Korea Christopher Hill (2005), Holt Children’s Center Vice President and grandmother to adopted children Susan Cox (2005), humanitarian Sister Maria Vertilde (2011), Moscow State Institute of International Relations rector Anatoly Torkunov (2013), and Princess Astrid of Belgium (2017).

The event was formally opened by Mayor Park, who congratulated and profusely thanked the awardees for their efforts in contributing to the enrichment of the lives of Seoul citizens through their unique efforts, showing their dedication to their adopted city.

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