The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

1ST DMW-OWWA BALIK SAYA HELD IN SOUTH KOREA

PR MTD 35 20231

28 March 2023, Seoul - More than 1,000 Filipinos in South Korea were treated to a highly exciting and entertaining show featuring standout performances by homegrown artists and fresh-faced talents, brought together under the “Balik Saya: Handog ng DMW-OWWA” program, on 26 March 2023 at the Dongseung High School Auditorium in Seoul.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) launched its first salvo of Balik Saya in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA, and the Seoul Filipino Catholic Community (SFCC), with support from the various Filipino community organizations in South Korea.

In her opening message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon De Vega lauded the DMW and OWWA for making South Korea as its first stop for its 2023 Balik Saya project. “Today’s activities provided important OWWA-related information, consultation, and a welfare caravan for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, while the special entertainment segment fostered a closer bond among overseas Filipinos and assuaged the homesickness of many OFWs”. She thanked OWWA Administrator Arnaldo ‘Arnell’ Ignacio, the Board of Trustees and his team for resuming the Balik Saya project especially for Filipinos abroad who have experienced years of travel and health restrictions due to COVID.

For his part Administrator Ignacio assured the Filipino workers in Korea that OWWA would strengthen its existing programs and strive to provide services to benefit overseas Filipino workers and their families. He likewise lauded the sacrifices and the world-class skills of our workers in Korea.

The event featured the OFW Got Talent contest where the top ten (10) OFWs/groups showcased outstanding prowess in singing, dancing, original song compositions, and extraordinary talents. Mr. Dexter Patente, an EPS worker in a plastic molding company who arrived in Korea four (4) months ago won the Grand Prize for his impressive Beatbox performance. The Legitimate Dancers, a group of six (6) Sincere EPS workers, and Haneson Darryl Turno, an EPS worker for five (5) years, won 2^nd and 3^rd prize, respectively.

Filipinos from all over South Korea enjoyed the performances of singer-comedienne Boobay and GMA7’s 2020 The Clash Grand Prize Winner Jessica Villarubin who belted out her winning numbers. Administrator Ignacio also shared the stage with the performers in surprise numbers to the delight of the OFWs. Lucky draw winners and the biggest FilCom delegation also took home special prizes.

Balik Saya commenced with a thanksgiving mass presided by Rev. Fr. Jason Antiquera, SSC and arranged by the SFCC. As part of the opening program, the team of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness for Overseas Filipinos in South Korea (or PEAK-Pinoy), which is the flagship project of the Philippine Embassy in support of the Philippine National Reintegration Program signed the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding, while the Philippine Tourism Office (PDOT) in Seoul launched the “Bisita: Be My Guest” (BBMG) program. -END-

PR MTD 35 2023 2

FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN SOUTH KOREA MEETS OWWA

PR MTD 34 2023 FilCom Meeting with OWWA

29 March 2023, Seoul- The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA in Seoul hosted the consultation meeting of the Filipino Community in South Korea with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on 25 March 2023 at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Hall.

OWWA Administrator Arnaldo ‘Arnell’ Ignacio was joined by OWWA Board of Trustees Captain Felix Rebustes, Atty. Antonio Partoza, Ms. Estrella Anonuevo and Mr. Emmanuel Regio, and OWWA Director Jocelyn Hapal. During the 4-hour activity, the program and services for OFWs were presented by the Embassy, MWO, and OWWA which was followed by an interactive discussion of employment, welfare, reintegration and OWWA membership concerns.

Representing Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega, Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. welcomed the OWWA delegation and participants, and highlighted the active cooperation and involvement of the Filipino community in the promotion of welfare and interests of Filipinos who are living, working and staying in Korea.

OWWA Administrator Ignacio enjoined the Filipinos in South Korea to maximize every opportunity to hone their skills, be disciplined in spending, and be clear and focused on their goals while working in Korea noting the favorable employment and services the host country provides to foreign workers. He reaffirmed OWWA’s commitment for its members with its mandate under the newly created Department of Migrant Workers.

The FilCom leaders discussed the concerns of their respective communities and presented their suggestions, while many also expressed their appreciation for the responsiveness of the programs and services of the Embassy and MWO-OWWA for them.

Administrator Ignacio also conferred certificates to the 245 graduates of MWO-OWWA Skills Training courses, such as Basic and Advance Sewing, Photography, Meat Processing, and Perfume Diffuser and Soap Making, and recognition of resource speakers. EPS workers Arnaldo Hicban and Michael Angelo Santos shared their success story of putting up Saranghae Chinguya Photography and Photo Booth in Pampanga after attending Basic Photography Classes conducted by MWO-OWWA. “Malaking tulong ang libreng training ng MWO-OWWA dahil nagamit namin ito, lalo na nung nagpandemic at wala kaming income, nakapagtayo kami ng negosyo”, EPS Hicban said. Before closing, OWWA Board of Trustee Estrella Anonuevo informed the participants of OWWA’s project to conduct trainers training for Reintegration counselors as part of the efforts to heighten awareness and reintegration preparedness among OFWs. -END-

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY JOINS CFO’S PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SEMINAR FOR MARRIAGE MIGRANTS ENTERING SOUTH KOREA

PR MTD 33 2023

22 March 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, for the first time joined the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) organized by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) for marriage migrants entering South Korea. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega thanked the CFO for giving the Embassy an opportunity to reach out to the incoming marriage migrants, and assured the participants of the Embassy’s support as they establish their roots in South Korea. She also invited the participants to an array of activities this year geared towards the needs of overseas Filipinos and multicultural families, such as the Know Your Rights and Responsibilities Seminar Series, PEAK Pinoy livelihood seminars, and Eskwelahan sa Embahada at Palarong Pinoy.

With a total of 35 attendees, Embassy officers including Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, Jr., Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista and ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, provided participants with information on important consular services such as registering their marriage and children’s birth, and common marriage migrant issues like child custody and support.

The CFO’s PDOS is conducted twice a month. Individuals who are interested in participating in future sessions may contact the CFO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END

PH SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL VACCINE INSTITUTE THROUGH VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION OF USD20,000

[Left] Ambassador Dizon-De Vega poses with IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim. [Top right photo] Ambassador Dizon-De Vega joined First Lady Kim Keon Hee, IVI officials and distinguished guests in a photo session. [Bottom right photo] Ambassador Dizon-De Vega announces PH voluntary contribution to the IVI.

21 March 2023, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega was honored to announce the Philippine government’s voluntary contribution of USD20,000 to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) fund for 2023. The announcement was made on the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony of H.E. First Lady Kim Keonhee as the 5^th Honorary President of the Korea Support Committee for IVI on 09 March 2023 at the IVI Seoul headquarters. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise expressed profound congratulations to Madam First Lady Kim and the IVI.

A brief but meaningful commemorative ceremony for the funding contribution was held before the Vaccine Diplomacy Day activity where Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and IVI Director General Jerome H. Kim discussed the voluntary contribution and affirmed cooperation on future projects. The turnover was witnessed by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario from the Philippine Embassy and Ms. YoungMi Choi, Head of IVI’s Global Affairs team.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that “with this modest funding commitment, the Philippines looks forward to supporting IVI’s recent efforts in infectious disease research and vaccine research and development, helping create a platform for dialogue and future collaboration, and continuing our close relationship with the IVI as a State Party in the years to come.”

In response, IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim said that “we are grateful to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for its continued trust in and support of IVI and our work to research and develop vaccines against infectious diseases that affect the world’s most vulnerable populations. As a founding signatory and State Party of IVI since 2004, the Philippines has been a valuable collaborator in vaccine clinical development projects and disease burden studies to protect and save millions of lives at risk of poverty-associated diseases such as typhoid fever, dengue, cholera, and tuberculosis.”

The Philippines is State-party to the International Vaccine Institute, a non-profit international organization established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health. END