GOVPH

PH EMBASSY CONDUCTS POST ARRIVAL ORIENTATION SEMINAR AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO MARRIAGE MIGRANTS IN JEJU

17 November 2024, Jeju. The Philippine Embassy conducted its fourth and final Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) and Mentorship Program for Filipino Marriage Migrants for the year 2024 in Jeju City on 17 November 2024.

The PAOS, which aligns with the Philippine Embassy’s Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2023 with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, serves as a platform for equipping marriage migrants with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate life in South Korea. The seminar adopted a relaxed, open-sharing format, allowing experienced marriage migrants to mentor newly arrived individuals by sharing their experiences on multicultural family dynamics. Key topics included cultural differences, language barriers, and financial literacy, among others.

The program also featured informational discussions by Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista on consular services and the rights of dual citizens, while Director Kim San Og of the Jeju Counseling Center for Women discussed emergency protocols for domestic violence victims and other local support systems available to women migrants.

In 2025, the Embassy plans to expand its initiatives to better address the needs of Filipino marriage migrants. Proposed activities include training on financial literacy and inheritance matters—topics identified during the seminar’s open forum. Responding to growing demand, the Embassy also aims to conduct the PAOS to other areas of Korea.

The Embassy remains committed to its comprehensive approach to supporting Filipino marriage migrants, which includes ongoing programs like the Know-Your-Rights-and-Responsibilities Seminar Series, Eskwelahan sa Embahada for multicultural children, and family-centered events such as Family Day and Palarong Pinoy.

For updates on future activities and programs, the Embassy invites the Filipino community in South Korea to stay connected through its official communication channels. END

PHILIPPINES SEEKS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN WATER LEGISLATION AT THE 2024 AAWC CLIMATE AND WATER ROUNDTABLE MEETING

15 November 2024, Seoul – The Philippines, led by House of Representatives Members Hon. Romeo S. Momo Sr. and Hon. Jose Chaves Alvarez, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in achieving comprehensive legislation on sustainable water management for the Philippines during the 2024 Asia National Assembly Water Consultative Board (AAWC) Climate and Water Roundtable held on 5 November 2024 at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.

The AWC is an inter-parliamentary organization of Asian countries for water, focusing on the realization of water welfare and achieving Asia’s common prosperity through parliamentary cooperation. The AAWC has consistently prioritized the development and improvement of water-related policies across Asia, recognizing the critical role that water management plays in sustainable development and regional stability.

During the roundtable discussions, ROK National Assembly Representative and Council Chairman Jeoung-ae Han highlighted AAWC's efforts to advance cooperation in sustainable water resource management with the Philippines through intensive policy research.

Rep. Momo also underscored the importance of region-specific policy research the enhancement of PH-ROK partnerships, especially in infrastructure and water management, and the involvement of local communities in planning and implementing water management strategies as future strategies in water management for the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega also highlighted that comprehensive and science-based research like the AAWC policy research paper on the Philippines will allow countries to find complementarities and jointly address challenges in national integrated water management initiatives.

After the roundtable, participants also visited the Soyang River Dam, the Hanam Union Park, and the K-Water Han River Basin Head Office to learn more about water resource management and waste treatment best practices of the Republic of Korea. END

PH ARTISTS AND CULTURE SHOWCASED AT THE 2024 ASIA SONG FESTIVAL AND CULTURE BRIDGE FESTA

14 November 2024, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy recently participated in the 2024 Asia Song Festival and Culture Bridge Festa events held from 26 to 27 October 2024 at the Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. The back-to-back events were organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea (MCST), headed by Minister Yu In-chon and the Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE), led by its President Park Chang-sik. The Philippines and Jamaica were this year’s themed experiential cultural participants in the festivals that attracted approximately 48,000 attendees to the Mulbit Stage area in Yeouido Hangang Park.    

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega extended her congratulations to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of ROK, the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) and all the artists for organizing and participating in the two events.  She further stated, “These activities are being held at an auspicious time in Philippines-Korea relations as we commemorate 75 years of diplomatic ties and also the elevation of our relations to that of a Strategic Partnership during the State Visit of Korean President H.E. Yoon Suk Yeol to the Philippines earlier this month.”

 (PHOTOS: Top left: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega performs the tinikling with members of the Filipino Community. Top right: Ambassador Richards enjoying her turn dancing the tinikling. Below: Ambassador Richards, KOFICE Vice President Kim, Ambassador Dizon – De Vega with Jamaican dancehall musical group, Dance Xpressionz, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and Filipino and Korean volunteers.)

In addition, Park Chang-sik, President of KOFICE, shared, “This was a valuable platform for bringing together and celebrating the music and cultures of Asia and Jamaica. KOFICE will continue to serve as a leading force in promoting international cultural exchange.” 

The Philippine and Jamaica villages gave the visitors an authentic atmosphere of each country through its arts and crafts exhibitions, traditional attire photo booths, food and beverage tasting, and interactive experiences. The Philippine booths were manned by volunteers from the Kabayan Filipino Center of Incheon.

The first day of the Asia Song Festival at the Mulbit Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park featured live performances from prominent Asian artists. Music platform Spotify’s Filipino rising star, singer-songwriter and musician Dionela, entertained the audience with his original songs and energetic acoustics with his equally enthusiastic band members. Other artists who performed were from Jamaica, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, and Korea with a special collaboration number between Korean boy group 8TURN and Vietnamese Gen-Z star, Mỹ Anh (Vietnam). 

On 27 October, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group founded in 1972 by national Artist Ramon Arevalo Obusan, captivated the audience not only with their colorful costumes and vibrant dances but also with a performance that showcased the history of Filipino folk dances representing the different regions of the Philippines. A repeat performance by Dionela was much appreciated by the crowd with the artist relaying, “It is an honor to perform in Korea for the first time”. A mixed audience of Koreans, international viewers and members of the Filipino Community in Korea. 

The Asia Song Festival attracted about 31,000 attendees on-site, 81,000 viewers globally through YouTube live stream and about 45,000 guests visited the Culture Bridge Festa during the two-day event. END