GOVPH

SFA ENRIQUE MANALO MEETS WITH SOUTH KOREAN PRIME MINISTER HAN DUCK SOO AND FOREIGN MINISTER CHO TAE-YUL

August 2024 was a momentous month for Philippines – Republic of Korea relations as Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo undertook his first Official Visit to the Republic of Korea from 6-9 August 2024. This is the first stand-alone visit of a Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary to South Korea in seven (7) years. The visit of SFA Manalo also comes at an auspicious time, as this year marks the 75^th anniversary of Philippines – Republic of Korea diplomatic relations.

SFA Manalo met with his counterpart, ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul on 7 August 2024 where the two foreign ministers looked forward to more elevated ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea to reflect the expansion of our dynamic partnership in future-oriented sectors in defense, maritime cooperation, infrastructure, smart agriculture, development cooperation, energy, and people-to-people ties.

SFA Manalo also met with Prime Minister Han Duck soo where both sides agreed to work closely together on areas of mutual concern, including the welfare of Overseas Filipinos living in the Republic of Korea and next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit which will be hosted in Gyeongju.

ROK counterparts acknowledged the Philippines’ valuable contribution as the first Southeast Asian country to form relations with the Republic of Korea and as the first country in Asia to send troops for the Korean War from 1950-1953. The Philippines is also recognized as having sent the most soldiers out of any Asian country with 7,420 troops through the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK). PEFTOK went on to win critical battles during the Korean War which helped paved the way for the freedom and democracy South Korea enjoys today. END

PHILIPPINE TOURISM SECTOR INVITES TRAVELERS TO CENTRAL LUZON DURING KOREA ROADSHOW

25 August 2024, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered opening remarks during the Central Luzon product presentation conducted by the Department of Tourism Region 3 (DOT 3), Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD Corp.), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Provincial Tourism Office of Bataan and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea Office (PDOT-Korea) on 22 August 2024 at the Korea Press Center Building, Jung-gu, Seoul, ROK. The product presentation is part of the Central Luzon Tourism Development Roadshow that aims to boost inbound tourism to Central Luzon.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that Clark remains the number one tourism destination in the Central Luzon area. It is conveniently located less than two hours from the heart of Manila through a modern system of highways and roads. It is serviced by the new, efficient, modern, and award-winning Clark International Airport which has been adjudged among the best in its airport category globally and which is accessible by direct flights from several Korean locations. Clark provides multifaceted tourism and travel experiences from heritage tourism, farm tourism, leisure tourism, convention facilities, and culinary experiences. She likewise sought the support of Korean partners in promoting Clark as a unique, fun, and memorable travel destination.

Ms. Elenita Lorezo Manager of the Tourism Promotions Division of CDC, Ms. Raquel J. Delos Reyes, Division Chief 3, Tourism Department of SBMA, and Ms. Chriselle Yambao, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of DOT 3 made presentations on the various tourism destinations in the Central Luzon area to over 50 participants coming from the Korean travel and tourism sector as well as representatives from the media.

A day prior to the event, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was joined by PDOT-Korea Tourism Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo in receiving the delegation from the CDC headed by its President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, DOT Region 3 headed by STOO Chriselle Yambao, SBMA Division Chief 3 Raquel Delos Reyes and LIPAD Corp. led by their President and CEO Mr. Noel F. Manankil at the Sentro Rizal Conference Room of the Philippine Embassy. END

KINGS OF PINOY POP AND NCCA YOUTH AMBASSADORS SB19 VISIT SENTRO RIZAL AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL

28 August 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul was very pleased to welcome National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors SB19 to the Chancery on 28 August 2024. Considered trailblazers in bringing contemporary Asian pop music to the global stage, SB19 is an award-winning Philippine Pop boy group with a mission to promote the Filipino spirit, music, and culture worldwide.

SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin are also advocates of promoting Philippine arts and culture worldwide through Sentro Rizal. Sentro Rizal aims to promote Philippine arts, culture, and language throughout the world through the establishment of Philippine centers in various countries which initiate and organize cultural training programs and activities for overseas Filipinos. Sentro Rizal has thirty-eight (38) sites all over the world, including the Sentro Rizal Hall and Library located at the 2/F of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul which the group visited.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed SB19 to the Sentro Rizal Library and expressed her appreciation for the band’s solid contribution to uplifting the Filipino identity through their music and stellar performance. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also gave the band commemorative pins bearing the 75th anniversary logo of PH-ROK relations during their visit.

SB19 was in South Korea to receive the Voices of Asia Award, which honors their "groundbreaking contributions to Filipino music and their unwavering championing of P-pop on the global stage,” and which the group dedicated to the P-pop movement, Original Pilipino Music (OPM), and to every Filipino that shares their creativity and passion across Asia and the world. Filipina pop group Bini also received the same award.

The strong ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea are built through our people-to-people exchanges, particularly our shared affinity for music. In their role as Filipino music icons and cultural ambassadors, SB19 has been an active and solid partner of the Philippine Embassy in furthering PH-ROK cultural cooperation through numerous events, including headlining the 2024 Pistang Pinoy sa Korea Independence Day celebration in Busan last June and band member Josh Cullen’s solo stage at the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival Round in July 2024.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul will continue to advocate and initiate activities that bring the Philippines and the Republic of Korea closer together through culture, music, and the arts. END