The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

EMBASSY AND FILIPINO COMMUNITY LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN PILOT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SEMINAR AT THE BORAMAE SAFETY EXPERIENCE CENTER

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega together with the Boramae Safety Experience Center Director Jeong Jinki and the rest of the participants from the Philippine Embassy and Filipino community leaders in Seoul.

Seoul, 11 February 2023. Personnel of the Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, together with Filipino Community leaders based in Seoul and neighboring areas, participated in the pilot session of the emergency preparedness seminar held at the Boramae Safety Experience Center (BSEC) on 3 February 2023. A second batch underwent the same training on 10 February 2023.

Located within Boramae Park, the BSEC runs a disaster experience program aimed to enhance disaster preparedness by immersing participants in simulated environments of various disasters such as earthquake, typhoon, fire, strong winds and rain, and traffic accident, among others, and which were patterned after real-life disasters experienced in ROK. The participants were oriented on handling emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, gas masks, fire escape pulleys, etc. A specialized training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other first aid techniques were also provided.

To enhance the capacity of its personnel and assist the Filipino community in ensuring their safety in emergency situations, the Philippine Embassy will continue to promote emergency preparedness in partnership with relevant institutions in Korea.

The Philippine Embassy plans to roll-out similar training activities for Filipino community organizations at various safety centers throughout South Korea. END

EMBASSY MEETS WITH IOM CHIEF OF MISSION ON GLOBAL MIGRATION POLICIES AND CONCERNS

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and IOM Chief of Mission Steve Hamilton, joined by Embassy officers Consul General Jun Israel, Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista and Migrant Workers’ Attaché Maya Valderrama

07 February 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy team, led by the Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, met with Mr. Steve Hamilton, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)-South Korea, to discuss global migration policies and concerns, and how to better respond to them.

Both agreed that the need for post-pandemic policies on migrant integration, support, education, protection, and welfare remain at the forefront of global migration concerns. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that one of the key initiatives of the Philippines in 2023 is the operationalization of the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers to better serve all categories of Filipino workers. In Korea, among the Embassy’s priority programs will be in support of the overseas Filipino community including workers, marriage migrants, students, and professionals based in South Korea.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and IOM Chief of Mission Mr. Hamilton agreed to work together in support of programs for Filipino migrants in South Korea. END

POPULAR KOREAN DIGITAL ARTISTS VISIT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY

[L-R] Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega together with Ms. Nayoung Wooh and Mr. Na Seung Hoon during their courtesy call on 06 February 2023 at the Philippine Embassy. Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario joined the Ambassador during the courtesy call.

07 February 2023, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega warmly welcomed popular Korean digital artist Nayoung Wooh and cartoonist Na Seung Hoon at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 06 February 2023.

Ms. Wooh presented some pieces she created for her special exhibit in the Philippines last 2022 at the Korea Cultural Center in the Philippines. The series of artworks were inspired by Filipino folktales and Ms. Wooh’s fond memories of traveling to and diving in the Philippines. Mr. Na Seung Hoon, will conduct art related activities and workshops in the Philippines in May.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise shared updates on the Philippines’ vibrant and evolving art scene. In pursuit of the Embassy’s cultural diplomacy initiatives, the Philippine Embassy is encouraging Filipino artists to visit and showcase their work in various art galleries in Korea. END

PH EMBASSY HOLDS THE FIRST LEADERS FORUM FOR 2023

Amb. Dizon-de Vega welcomes participants to the Forum; PH Embassy officials provide updates on various issues and activities; Participants gather for a commemorative photograph on the rooftop of the Embassy

06 February 2023, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, together with POLO OWWA, and other attached agencies held its first regular Leaders Forum for the year on 04 February 2023. More than 70 leaders representing the Filipino community organizations and migrant support network from the different areas in South Korea attended the forum which was held in a hybrid online and face-to-face gathering at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Hall.

In her opening message, Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega said that the year 2023 brings many changes, challenges, and opportunities. The Ambassador welcomed the establishment of the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) now transitioning into a fully operational agency which aims to bring about more cohesive policies and processes in addressing employment, welfare, and other assistance concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). She noted the possible forthcoming changes in entry regulations to Korea and the impact on the Filipino community as well as the growing need for social safety nets. There are likewise challenges and opportunities in advocating for greater multiculturalism. She encouraged Filipinos in Korea to maximize opportunities for greater two-way tourism in the Philippines.

The Embassy likewise invited the Filipino community to be active participants in the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea in 2024. “Amidst this period of challenges, and opportunities, the Embassy remains highly committed to serve and respond to the growing needs of our Filipino community in Korea in partnership with our active and engaged Filipino community organizations”, the Ambassador said.

Embassy officers and heads of attached agencies presented recent updates on consular and labor matters, overseas voting registration, emergency preparedness, and general health and entry/exit protocols. Activities for the first half of the year including PEAK Pinoy sessions, Know Your Rights and Responsibilities seminars, Livelihood Skills Trainings, Outreach Missions, Post-Arrival Orientation, Balik Saya Para sa OFWs sa South Korea from OWWA, and Bisita, Be my Guest project of the Philippine Tourism Department. An open forum provided an opportunity for the FilCom leaders, including those participating online, to discuss their concerns and suggestions which were responded to by the Embassy.

Ambassador de Vega likewise announced the holding of an in-person 125^th Philippine Independence and 28^th Migrant Workers Day celebration in June, and the Summer School and Palarong Pinoy in August. She called for volunteers from the community to be part of the various Committees for these events. The leaders expressed interest to support the different tasks identified.

Ms. Mishka Camulte a Filipino performer based in Seoul rendered a song number and FilCom participants were given a tour of the newly-renovated consular, cultural, ATN, and main lobby sections of the Embassy designed to provide more comfortable spaces for kababayans visiting the premises. END