GOVPH

EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS OF FILIPINOS IN SHIPBUILDING PRAISED DURING PHL AMBASSADOR’S VISIT

29 August 2024, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with the officials and Filipino welders at the HJ Shipbuilding and Construction (HJSC) in Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan during her worksite visit on 28 August 2024.

HJSC is the biggest direct employer of Filipinos in Korea’s shipbuilding industry to date. Since March 2023, the HJSC has employed 201 skilled Filipino welders comprising 36% of the company’s field workers. Their work is critical to the company’s Hull Production Team.

During the meeting with Chief Executive Officer Yoon, Sang Cheol, the company praised the Filipino welders for their exceptional skills, dedication, and adaptability to the local work culture. “The arrival of the skilled Filipino workers has not only helped us overcome labor shortages but has also revitalized our manufacturing processes. We appreciate the Philippine government for providing such excellent workers and look forward to even greater development and collaboration between our countries”, the CEO said. 

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega expressed appreciation to the HJSC for providing a commendable work environment for the Filipino workers that promotes their welfare and productive employment. “Human resource development is an important pillar of the people-to-people ties of our countries, and for the last twenty (20) years, we have cooperated on Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) where the majority of our workers belong. The opening of the shipbuilding industry to skilled foreign workers has created a new employment pathway for our experienced and skilled welders, who are given E7 visa and equal protection under both  Philippine and Korean labor laws”, the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador was given a tour of the shipyard where the Filipino workers are assigned, and had a productive meeting with them. Ambassador de Vega said that she was pleased and proud to know that the HJSC is very satisfied with the exceptional skills and work performance of the Filipino welders. “I can see that the company provides you with a supportive environment like a family. I hope that you will continue to demonstrate your skills and positive work ethics that Filipinos are known for worldwide”, the Ambassador said.

She encouraged the workers to stay connected with the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA and to participate in its various activities, either face-to-face or online, such as Know Your Rights and Responsibility Seminars, Financial Literacy and Skills Training, Peak Pinoy, and Outreach Missions. During the open forum, the workers showed great interest on OWWA program and services, overseas voting, OEC issuance, and social security services. On behalf of the 200 Filipinos working in HJSC, OFW Reinier Villar expressed their appreciation for the visit of the Ambassador and other officials, saying that it has given them honor and great encouragement.

The Embassy delegation included Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama, Welfare Attache Cornelia DG Chanco and MWO staff, while the HJSC officials included Shipyard Executive Director Heo, Jung Goo, Chief Human Resource Officer Park, Yong-Sik, Production Team Leader Yun, Jae-woong. -END-

PH EMBASSY JOINS PINOY ISKOLARS SA KOREA IN RECOGNIZING GRADUATING AND EXEMPLARY FILIPINO STUDENTS IN KOREA

1 September 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul joined the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKo) recognize graduating and exemplary Filipino students-scholars in Korea at its bi-annual event entitled “Hayo at Gilas Summer 2024: Pagkilala sa mga Nagsipagtapos na Pinoy Iskolars Sa Korea,” held on 1 September 2024 at the Sentro Rizal Hall, Philippine Embassy Seoul.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega offered valuable advice to the graduates, encouraging them to find their "new space and foothold" in an ever-evolving world shaped by innovation. She emphasized the critical importance of research in navigating this landscape and expressed the Philippine Embassy's eagerness to collaborate and partner with PIKo initiatives that foster intellectual growth and support in order to build a support system for Filipino researchers, helping protect their work and encouraging a culture of innovation and collaboration.

She also highlighted the upcoming SiyentiPIKo Academic Colloquium, which the Embassy will support for the first time on September 21, 2024. The colloquium coincides with the commemoration of 75 years of Philippines-South Korea diplomatic relations, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega underscored that this platform will provide Filipino scholars an opportunity to present and exchange ideas, further strengthening the academic and intellectual ties between the two nations.

Joining the event was Ms. Jasmine Lee, former National Assembly member and President of the Filipino-Korean Heritage Association (FILKOHA), who invited the graduates to support their peers in navigating the challenges of adapting to the ever-changing cultural landscape within and around Korean society; and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista who also serves as an adviser of PIKo.

This year, PIKO celebrated the achievements of 13 graduates and honored an additional 11 students with scholarly papers published in various academic journals, reflecting the organization's commitment to academic excellence and its pivotal role in fostering intellectual exchange within the Filipino-Korean communities. For more information on PIKo’s programs and activities for Filipino students in South Korea, please visit https://www.facebook.com/officialPIKO. END

PHILIPPINE FILMS FEATURED IN THE 2024 ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL

22 August 2024, Busan – In commemoration of the 75^th Anniversary of Philippine – Korea Diplomatic Relations and the celebration of the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, the Philippine Embassy in collaboration with its hosts and organizers the Korea Foundation – ASEAN Culture House (KF-ACH) and the Busan Cinema Center (BCC) participated in the 2024 ASEAN Film Festival held at the Busan Cinema Center.

Philippine films featured in the festival were John Denver Trending, locally distributed by NewOne Cinema and directed by Arden Rod Condez, The Housemaid directed by Roman Perez, Jr., a remake of the 2010 Korean film Hanyeo, and lastly, Waiting for Sunset directed by Carlo Enciso Catu, adjudged the Best Picture at the 2014 edition of Cinemalaya, which also had the honor of being chosen as the opening film for the festival.

In her congratulatory speech, Ambassador Dizon – De Vega said “Film brings people from diverse backgrounds and points of view together. The true test of the impact of any film is if the audience is touched by it, remembers it, thinks about it and if it lingers in our memories.” 

She further emphasized that, “Every year there are emerging talents set to make their mark in international cinema. Through festivals and platforms such as this ASEAN Film Festival, more audiences will have the opportunity to view these remarkable films, across several genres. I hope that this glimpse of AEAN cinema will show Korean audiences the depth and breadth of the cinematic voices of our region.”