The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

Filipinos Win Awards at the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities

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Rafael Manuel, John Crisostomo Ballesteros, Exikiel De Vera, Bryan Rayos, Miguel Franco Ramirez bag awards and citations at the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities held in Seoul; Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega takes part in the event

30 November 2022, Seoul. Philippine participants won awards and citations in the annual Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities (GITC) held in Yeouido, Seoul from 15-16 November 2022.

The GITC, now on its 11^th year aims to reduce the digital divide and realize the full potential of youth with developmental and physical disabilities by promoting their access to ICT. This year’s edition was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea with private sector support from global Korean company LG.

Around 320 youths with disabilities from 16 countries took part in the competition conducted in hybrid format. Filipino participants Rafael Manuel, John Crisostomo Ballesteros, Exikiel De Vera, Bryan Rayos, Miguel Franco Ramirez won awards in the eTool Powerpoint Challenge, eLife Map Challenge, eContent Challenge and the popular eCreative Smart Car Challenge.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was on hand to take part in the awarding ceremonies and to re-affirm the Philippines’ support for these development initiatives benefitting vulnerable sectors. The next edition of the competition is slated to be held in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. END

Philippines Participates in 1st IEVEXPO on Electric and Autonomous Agriculture

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Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega takes part in the 1^st IEVEXPO on Electric and Autonomous Agriculture; Agriculture Attaché Alilia Maghirang presents prospects for Agri-machinery electric and autonomous farming cooperation between the Philippines and Korea

28 November 2022, Seoul – The Philippines participated in the 1^st IEVEXPO on Korea-ASEAN Agriculture Electric and Autonomous Forum organized by the Global EV Association Network (GEAN), ASEAN Federation of EV Associations (AFEVA), and the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA), and International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE) on 09 November 2022, at the Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension Services Complex.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered congratulatory remarks and spoke of the latest law on the EV industry in the Philippines during the opening ceremonies while Mr. Edmund Araga, concurrently Chairperson of the AFEVA and the Philippine EV Association, was the featured Keynote Speaker. Agricultural Attaché Alilia Maghirang delivered a presentation on the current state of agri-mechanization in the Philippines as well as prospects for cooperation between PH and ROK in this field. END

AWARD-WINNING PHILIPPINE FILM “JOHN DENVER TRENDING” OPENS IN KOREA

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Korean artist Jung Hoseung, and NEWONE CEO Sony Won welcome guests at a special screening of “John Denver Trending” at CGV Apgujeong

27 November 2022, Seoul – Internationally-acclaimed Philippine film "John Denver Trending" opened this week at the CGV Apgujeong, Lotte Cinema World Tower and Megabox movie theatres located in key Korean cities. It is the first Filipino film to receive a wide commercial release throughout Korea.

A special screening organized by Cinema NEWONE, the Korean distributor of "John Denver Trending", was held on 23 November at the CGV Apgujeong theater. NEWONE CEO Mr. Sony Won welcomed the viewers and hoped that this would be the first, among future commercial screenings of Filipino films in Korea. Mr. Won is a film producer, director, and specializes in the distribution of Asian films in Korea.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon– De Vega with Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista, and Assistant Vivienne Velasquez lent support at the screening and thanked the Korean audience for viewing the film as well as acknowledging the efforts of Mr. Sony Won in actively promoting and distributing “John Denver Trending” to a wider audience in Korea.

"John Denver Trending" has won 15 awards at film festivals around the world, including notching a nomination for Best Film in the New Currents competition section of the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), and 6 awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Original Song, Editing, Cinematography, and the NETPAC Jury Award at the 15th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival (2019). It likewise won Best Project at the 5^th Hanoi International Film Festival (2018). The movie was shot entirely in the Municipality of Pandan, in Antique, Philippines. The film’s production received support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Film Director Arden Rod Condez wrote a screenplay based on various events that emerged through social media and created a thought-provoking film with a social message based on true stories. In particular, the film depicts the complex problems of modern society, which is undergoing rapid digitization, along with a strong message on online and physical bullying that will resonate across generations. END

Philippines Roadshow 2022 features Bohol as Winter Holiday Travel Destination

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Philippine Ambassador Dizon-De Vega delivers welcome remarks during the Philippines Roadshow 2022. Amb. Dizon-De Vega with Tourism Director Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo of the Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea, Mr. Juyoul Choi, COO of Marketing Highlands and Mr. Seung Gyu Park, CEO of Pan Asia Air.

27 November 2022, Seoul. The Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea, headed by Tourism Director Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo in cooperation with Marketing Highlands (MH) organized two Travel Roadshow Events in Busan and Seoul on 4 and 22 November 2022, respectively. The Philippines Roadshow 2022 featured Bohol as a winter holiday travel destination.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega in her remarks at both events highlighted the many tourist offerings of Bohol such as its ecological attractions, heritage sites, and adventure activities.

During the promotional events, Marketing Highlands introduced Royal Air’s chartered flights from Korea to Bohol from December 2022 up to March 2023 which the companies hope will help to increase visitor arrivals to the Philippines. END