GOVPH

PHL EMBASSY EXPLORES COOPERATION WITH SEOUL GLOBAL CENTER TO SUPPORT FILIPINO NATIONALS IN SEOUL

21 May 2025, Seoul. Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza met with representatives of the Seoul Global Center (SGC) on 22 April 2025 to discuss potential areas of cooperation between the Philippine Embassy and the Center in support of the Filipino community and other foreign residents in Seoul.

The Seoul Global Center delegation was composed of Ms. Mihyun Go (Elena), Manager of the Settlement Support Team; Ms. Song Hee, Team Leader of the Settlement Support Team; and Mr. Kwon Bo Geun, Director of the Seoul Global Center. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on possible joint initiatives that would enhance the welfare and integration of Filipino nationals and other foreign residents in the Republic of Korea. Also present in the meeting was ATN Officer Ms. Fatima Tabio and MWO-Seoul’s representative Apolonio Alvarez, Jr.

Discussions covered a range of collaborative efforts, including career planning and support for Filipino students studying in Korea, the conduct of educational seminars for foreign residents, and the co-hosting of cultural events that promote multicultural understanding. The two parties also explored opportunities for business consultation services for Filipino entrepreneurs, as well as the implementation of welfare programs focusing on psychological and mental health support for migrants.

Both sides expressed mutual interest in strengthening coordination and fostering inclusive programs aimed at empowering the migrant community. The Philippine Embassy looks forward to further engagement with the Seoul Global Center in the shared goal of promoting the well-being of Filipinos in South Korea. END

KAPE SA KOREA BRINGS FILIPINO COFFEE CULTURE TO SEOUL

23 May 2025, Seoul - In celebration of Filipino food month, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul brought the warmth and richness of Philippine Coffee to Korea through a special tasting event and coffee pop-up, Kape Sa Korea, on 24 April 2025.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was pleased to welcome some of the guests and introduce them to the rich heritage and distinct flavor of Philippine coffee drinks specially developed for the Korean palette using Apo ni Bayosa Coffee Beans — a premium coffee variety grown by indigenous communities, cultivated with care and tradition in Atok, Benguet.

Serving around 200 cups of Filipino coffee in iced, hot, regular, and special latte variants, Kape sa Korea drew a wide array of guests at the Philippine Experience Center throughout the day, including Former Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert, Korean beauty queen Mina Sue Choi, as well as Korean local government officers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and coffee lovers living and working in the area. It also brought a taste of home to Filipino clients of the Embassy.

The gathering served not only as a showcase of the global potential of Filipino coffee but also for the Philippine Experience Center as a dynamic space for cultural exchange and community building — one meaningful cup at a time.

Alongside the coffee, guests were likewise treated to a variety of Philippine rice and cassava-based snacks provided by the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul, showcasing rich Philippine culinary traditions and ingredients. A digital QR code for information on coffee was created for those who want to learn more about Philippine coffee farming practices, production, and distribution.

The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world capable of producing all four commercially viable coffee varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. This agricultural diversity is made possible by the country’s varied climates and fertile landscapes. The Republic of Korea’s coffee consumption is an impressive average of 405 cups per person annually, way above the global average of 152 which underscores the integral role coffee plays in the daily lives of the Korean community.

Ms. Dokyeom Jang, a Korean professional barista and café owner developed the recipes and assessed brewing methods from Philippine coffee beans for the pop-up activity.

The event was made possible by the joint efforts of the Embassy’s food and cultural promotions group, FOCUS Philippines, led by Ambassador Dizon-de Vega, the Embassy’s Economic Section, the Philippine Agriculture Office-Seoul, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Seoul. 

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul looks forward to continuing to promote the Philippines’ rich food and beverage heritage and strengthening the cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. END

BOYNEXTDOOR NAMED FIVB GLOBAL CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS FOR 2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINES

Seoul, Republic of Korea – The Philippines is set to host the FIVB 2025 Volleyball Men’s World Championship from 12-28 September 2025. As part of the lead up to this major sports event, K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR was announced as the Global Celebrity Ambassadors of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship during a commemorative ceremony held at Hybe Headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on 26 April 2025.

The FIVB World Championship in the Philippines is a testament to close PH - ROK relations in culture and sports. It aims to showcase international sportsmanship and elevate the Philippine hosting of sporting events to a broader global audience.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also serves as Executive Vice President of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) formally announced BOYNEXTDOOR global celebrity ambassadors during the appointment ceremony. Executive members of Hybe Corporation also shared their high hopes on the unifying power of sports and music through this collaboration.

In her congratulatory remarks, Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega highlighted that the partnership emphasized the powerful convergence between the Philippines, FIVB, the global reach of pop music, and the unifying spirit of international sports. She likewise added that the Philippines looks forward to extending a warm and friendly welcome to all the participants in the international tournament.

BOYNEXTDOOR, who recently visited Manila as part of their ‘KNOCK ON Vol. 1’ world tour, expressed their excitement at being named Global Ambassadors and their appreciation for the Filipino community’s enduring support for both volleyball and K-pop.

The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship is scheduled to take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena from 12 to 28 September 2025 and will bring together the world’s top 32 volleyball teams vying for the championship title. Presidential son William Vincent Araneta Marcos, will chair the Executive Board of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and will be supported by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as co-chairs of the Executive Board. END