The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

MS. KATHERINE CORTEZA, ITAEWON GLOBAL VILLAGE CENTER DIRECTOR, AWARDED SEOUL HONORARY CITIZENSHIP

8 December 2023, Seoul. Ms. Katherine Corteza, Director of the Itaewon Global Village Center (IGVC), was conferred the prestigious 2023 Seoul Honorary Citizenship Award by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) represented by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, on 8 December 2023. In attendance during the ceremony was Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane De Dumo-Cornista, Labor Attache Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, Mr. Kim Eun Sook, and IGVC Officer Ms. Grace Heo.

The SMG acknowledged Ms. Corteza's unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to cultural understanding and community integration within the international enclave of Itaewon. She was also cited for her exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she advocated for a special vaccination schedule for foreign workers who were unable to take leave from work, which resulted in the Center holding vaccination programs for foreign residents in Seoul with the support of the SMG and Yongsan-gu Office.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that the Embassy nominated Ms. Corteza for her outstanding contributions to the community and her unwavering dedication to promoting multiculturalism and the well-being of foreign residents in Korea. She also hoped that Ms. Corteza’s recognition would not only celebrate her achievements, but also inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

Ms. Corteza's recognition aligns with Seoul's long-standing tradition of bestowing honorary citizenship upon foreign nationals contributing significantly to the city's development. Since its inception in 1958, more than 900 individuals from 100 countries have received this honor. The 15 individuals selected in 2023, including Ms. Corteza, exemplify dedication to community welfare and assistance to foreign nationals, playing pivotal roles in Seoul's growth. Honorary citizens are invited to key city events and participate in administrative decision-making that fosters mutual cooperation between Seoul and its diverse community of global citizens. END

Embassy Holds Event for Non-Resident Ambassadors to the Philippines

PR MTD 170 2023

13 December 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul hosted an evening reception for non-resident Ambassadors to the Philippines based in the Republic of Korea to renew ties and to welcome newly-accredited envoys who presented their credentials in the Philippines in 2023.

Their Excellencies Ambassador Kathos Jibao Mattai of Sierra Leone, Ambassador Dessie Dalkie Dukamo of Ethiopia, and Ambassador Ricardas Šlepavičius of Lithuania with Mme Daiva Slepaviciene and Paraguay Chargé d’Affaires Perla Garcia Cristaldo joined the activity and each shared their thoughts about the unique relations between their respective countries and the Philippines in special messages throughout the evening. The Dean of the Diplomatic corps in Korea Gabon Ambassador Carlos Victor Boungou, also a non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines, was away on official business and unable to join the reception.

In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega spoke of major developments in the Philippines engagement with the different countries represented that evening, introduced key officials of the Philippine Embassy and asked the envoys to “consider us your link to the Philippines and as your ready partners in fostering closer ties and relations”.

Videos of Philippine tourism destinations were shown during the evenings while the guests enjoyed a dinner of popular Philippine dishes. END

AMBASSADOR DIZON-DE VEGA DELIVERS SPECIAL LECTURE ON CLIMATE AND GENDER THROUGH THE PHILIPPINES’ HUMAN SECURITY LENS AT SOONGSIL UNIVERSITY

PR MTD 169 2023

04 December 2023, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega served as the distinguished speaker during the Global Leaders Forum held in Soongsil University Seoul campus on 29 November 2023.

In her talk entitled “Climate and Gender through the Philippines’ Human Security Lens”, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega underscored the adverse effects of climate change on women and girls. She underscored the nexus between human security, climate, and gender as critical elements to ensure security, prosperity and sustainability for all. The Ambassador also shared the Philippines’ experience and responses to climate issues as well as important strategies in addressing gender challenges arising from climate change.

Dr. Beomsik Jang, President together with Dr. Ju-Young Park, Vice President and Dr. Sumi Jeon, Dean of the Office of External Affairs of Soongsil University expressed appreciation to Ambassador Dizon-De Vega for delivering the lecture to Soongsil University students as this enhance their understanding and is a practical way to further develop bilateral engagement between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. END

PHILIPPINES JOINS CALL TO STRENGTHEN CAPACITIES FOR PANDEMIC RESPONSE IN THE WORLD BIO SUMMIT 2023

[LEFT PHOTO] Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega (center) together with Atty. Charade B. Mercado-Grande (right), Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health – Health Facility and Patient Support Team and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario (left) represented the Philippines in the World Bio Summit 2023. [RIGHT PHOTO] Philippine delegation with Commissioner Jee Young-mee of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

05 December 2023, Seoul. Philippines participated in the World Bio Summit (WBS) 2023 held from 20 to 21 November 2023 at the Conrad Hotel Seoul. The summit was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) of the Republic of Korea and the World Health Organization (WHO) under the theme “Strengthening Capacities for Pandemic Response: Preparation of Workforce, Business and Civil Society,” to discuss strategies in response to another potential pandemic and infectious disease threats.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary Atty. Charade B. Mercado-Grande and Ms. Jessabelle E. Basa, Head of the Quality Assurance Department – Biologicals Manufacturing Division – Research Institute for Tropical Medicine represented the Philippines in the summit. Philippine Embassy officials Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario also attended the summit.

The two-day summit convened four sessions with in-depth discussions on strengthening vaccine, pharmaceutical, and diagnostics manufacturing and regulatory oversight, accelerating pandemic therapeutics development and manufacturing, international support strategies for the growth of the global In Vitro Diagnostics industry and strengthening global preparedness through the 100-Days mission program, a Coalition for Pandemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) program supported by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) envisioned to reduce the time taken to develop safe and effective vaccines. Bilateral meetings and workshops were also held at the sidelines of the summit.

The World Bio Summit, now on its second edition, is a constructive platform for governments, international organizations, industry stakeholders and civil society to share experience, knowledge and insights from the COVID-19 pandemic. It further aims to lay a solid foundation to enhance global cooperation by establishing a secure health system capable of addressing threats to human health and responding to infectious diseases. The summit encourages stakeholders to take a proactive response to health crisis that may arise in the future. END