The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINES FEATURED COUNTRY IN THE MIGRANTS ARIRANG MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL (MAMF) 2024

(PHOTOS – Top Left: DFA Assistant Secretary for Cultural Diplomacy Celia Anna M. Feria delivers her congratulatory message to the Filipino Community at the Migrants Arirang event. Middle: CFO Chairman and Secretary Romulo V. Arugay delivers his congratulatory message during the MAMF 2024 Opening Ceremony. Right: Philippine Ambassador to ROK Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega delivers her congratulatory message during the MAMF 2024 Opening Celebration. Below: MAMF 2024 Opening Celebration attended by Philippine special guests Secretary Arugay, Assistant Secretary Feria, Philippine Ambassador Dizon – De Vega, local government officials from Changwon City and Gyeongsangnam Province, the five Co-Chairs of MAMF Promotion Committee, Chair of the MAMF Executive Committee and other special guests.)

15 October 2024, Changwon City – The Philippine Embassy upon the invitation of the Co-Chairs of the MAMF Promotional Committee and the local governments of Gyeongsangnam-do Province and the Special City of Changwon, participated in the 2024 edition of the Migrants Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) as the featured country. This special recognition was in commemoration of the celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries.

The MAMF 2024, recognized as Korea’s largest multicultural festival, took place from 11 to 13 October 2024 at Changwon Yong-Ji Cultural Park and the Sung San Art Hall Grand Theatre in Changwon City. The event celebrates cultural diversity, and the Philippines’ leading role as the featured country further enriched the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, fostering mutual understanding and friendship among the multicultural communities in Korea.

(PHOTOS – Top: L-R At the Philippines booth are Agricultural Attaché Lev Nikko M. Macalintal, CFO Chairman and Secretary Romulo V. Arugay, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega, Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce D. Cornista, and OWWA Attaché Nel DG. Chanco. Below: The Philippine booth at the MAMF 2024.)

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, an honorary co-chair along with the other MAMF Co-Chairs from the private sector, welcomed guests of honor from the Philippines for this year’s festival. Among the distinguished attendees were Commission on Filipinos Overseas Chairperson and Secretary Romulo V. Arugay and DFA Assistant Secretary for Cultural Diplomacy Celia Anna M. Feria, who were present to join in the festivities and support the celebration of Philippine culture and broader multicultural exchange.

The 2024 MAMF, with the theme “Together to Gather – A Festival for Global Citizens”, featured the participation of at least 21 countries, including Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Japan, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, and for the first time a group of countries from Latin America. The festival aims to raise awareness of the cultural diversity among the over 3 million migrants in South Korea, promote meaningful interactions between foreign residents and Koreans, and strengthen its role as Asia’s leading festival celebrating cultural diversity.

(PHOTOS: Philippines’ cultural and tourism booth.)

Visitors to the Philippine booth were treated to a wide array of cultural experiences, including the chance to play the traditional “kulintang,” a brass-based instrument from Southern Philippines, and pose for photos in Filipiñiana attire, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage. The booth also offered a taste of the Philippines with fresh tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, and papayas, which were a hit among the crowd, reflecting the Philippines’ bountiful agricultural traditions.

The Philippines’ booth also featured several engaging activities, including a cultural and tourism promotions booth, an arts & crafts booth, a snacks booth, and traditional Philippine games. Souvenirs from the Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea (PDOT-Korea), along with Philippine sweets and fresh fruits provided by the Department of Agriculture – Korea (DA-Korea) were distributed to delighted visitors, further promoting the country’s hospitality.

(PHOTOS – The Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company performing traditional cultural dances at the Opening Ceremony and the Special Cultural Performance events of MAMF 2024.)

Guest performers from the Philippines included the internationally acclaimed Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company, who captivated the audience with their vibrant and dramatic performances, showcasing the richness of Philippine folk traditions. Their colorful costumes and graceful movements brought the beauty of Filipino culture to life on stage. The Bayanihan Troupe likewise presented a program with collaborative numbers with the famous Little Angels Group of Korea in commemoration of 75 years of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations.

Rising singer Ms. Esay Belanio also captivated the crowd with her own version of the Filipino hit song “Anak”, beloved among many Koreans, and her dynamic renditions of popular songs, adding a contemporary touch to the event. Additionally, Korea-based Filipino boy band HORI7ON entertained the audience with their signature blend of dancing and singing, delivering an exciting performance to the delight of the younger audiences.

(PHOTOS – Left: Korea-based boy band HORI7ON performing their new release “Sumayaw”. Right: Ms. Esay Belanio entertaining the Filipino and international audience.)

(PHOTO: Top left – DFA Assistant Secretary Feria, Philippine Ambassador Dizon – De Vega and CFO Chairman and Secretary Arugay greeting the crowd on board the WishBus. Top right: Ms. Esay Belanio with the VIP guests. Below: the JPS Band performing for the Filipino and international audience.)

(PHOTO – Top: CFO Chairman and Secretary Arugay with Mrs. Cecilia Arugay, DFA Assistant Secretary Feria and Philippine Ambassador Dizon – De Vega, join the winners of the World Dance Festival. Korea (1^st place), Philippines (2^nd place) and Mongolia (3^rd place). Below left: CFO Chairman and Secretary Arugay awards the Cultural Diversity Parade 1^st place cash prize to the Philippines representative in “MaasKara” costume. Below right: 2^nd place winners of the World Dance Festival from the Philippines dance group “Zealous Ph” accepting their cash prize from Ambassador Dizon – De Vega, CFO Chairman and Secretary Arugay, DFA Assistant Secretary Feria and Mrs. Cecilia Arugay.)

The Philippines took home the top prize in the Cultural Diversity Parade category at MAMF 2024, with the Filipino community participating in full-force. They captivated the audience with the vibrant colors and lively spirit of their “MaasKara Festival” themed celebration from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The parade highlighted the energy, creativity, and rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, leaving a lasting impression on the spectators.

In the World Dance Festival, Filipino dance group “Zealous Ph” composed of OFWs secured second place with their impressive dance moves and choreography. Their creative performance stood out, reflecting the group’s talent and passion for dance.

(PHOTOS – Cultural Diversity Parade of the Philippines MaasKara Festival featuring the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company.)

In addition, for the duration of MAMF 2024, the Philippine Embassy conducted a Consular Outreach Mission, providing full consular services, DMW – OWWA services, Pag-Ibig and PhilHealth registration and information campaigns to the Filipino community. END

PHL EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN CHANGWON

PR MTD 137 2024

12 October 2024, Changwon. The Philippine Embassy conducted a consular outreach in Changwon, South Korea, during the MAMF Festival, from 11 to 12 October 2024. The consular team rendered a combined 500 units of services to the Filipino community, including e-passport applications, notarials, civil registration, Embassy ID, as well as membership updates and other inquiries from Pag-IBIG, MWO and OWWA. Representatives from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) also joined the outreach, marking the first time it has rendered frontline services in South Korea. END

PH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL LEARNING COURSE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERSHIP

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega (top left photo) welcomes the delegation from the PH Senate and House of Representatives led by Dr. Edgardo H. Pangilinan (top right photo), Deputy Secretary General of the HOR Legislative Information Resources Management Department, during their visit to the Philippine Embassy on 30 September 2024.

17 October 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed a delegation from the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives at the 2^nd Floor Sentro Rizal Hall of the Embassy on 30 September 2024. The delegation, composed of senior legislative staff and officers of the Philippine Congress, participated in the International Learning Course on Public Policy and Public Sector Leadership held from 28 September to 05 October 2024 in the Republic of Korea.

During their visit, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario briefed the delegation on Philippines – ROK relations, the way forward for inter-parliamentary and subnational cooperation, and further opportunities for training and development in ROK for legislative staff officers. DAP Director Gilbert E. Lumantao expressed appreciation to the Embassy for its continued support of the DAP CBILLS program.

The course is part of the Capability Building on Innovative Leadership for Legislative Staff (CBILLS) program of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) which aims to strengthen the leadership, management, and technical skills of the members of the Philippine Congress, its officers, and staff through capacity-building interventions. It seeks to respond to the evolving training needs of the congressional machinery, enabling it to provide effective support in fulfilling its responsibilities for lawmaking and oversight.

DAP partners with the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management (KDIS) for the International Learning Course program to enhance the global perspective and understanding on public policy systems, legislation, public sector leadership, as well as innovative governance measures. It also serves as a forum of information exchange where scholars can discuss and share skills and best practices while building and strengthening networks for possible international collaboration. END

The delegation joined the flag raising ceremony and was briefed on the overview of PH-ROK bilateral relations presented by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario (top left photo) at the 2^nd Floor Sentro Rizal Hall of the Philippine Embassy. DAP Director Gilbert E. Lumantao (top right photo) expresses appreciation to the Embassy for its continued support of the DAP CBILLS program.

PHILIPPINE CITIES RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE 2ND SEOUL SMART CITY PRIZE

[Top photo: Courtesy of WeGO] Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong joined Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, WeGO Secretary-General Kim Jeong-kee, WeGO representatives and prize winners for a commemorative photo at the 2nd Seoul Smart City Awards ceremony held at COEX, Seoul on 10 October 2024. [Below photo: Courtesy of Baguio City PIO] Mayor Magalong receives from Seoul Mayor Oh the trophy and certification representing the Gold Award on Human-CentriCity at the 2^nd Seoul Smart City Prize.

14 October 2024, Seoul. Baguio City, Philippines was awarded the Human-CentriCity Gold Award at the 2^nd Seoul Smart City Prize ceremony held on 10 October 2024 at COEX, Seoul. A delegation from Baguio City led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong was present at the ceremony to receive the award from Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Baguio City earned the Human-CentriCity Gold Award for its commitment to digital inclusion, particularly through its Leadership, Empowerment, and Advocacy for Inclusive and Accessible Health Governance System. The city’s healthcare system faces issues like fragmented records, inefficiencies, and care gaps, leading to higher costs and delays. BIAG project addresses these issues by providing accessible health records, telemedicine, and equitable healthcare access. It connects hospitals for seamless care with comprehensive medical records from birth to death. BIAG aims to transform healthcare in Baguio City and beyond, ensuring efficient, inclusive, and high-quality care for all.

Iligan City was also recognized and given the GGGI’s Special Mention award for its outstanding contributions to sustainable urban growth.

The Seoul Smart City Prize was organized by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) to recognize outstanding smart city initiatives that prioritize human-centric and technological innovation. During the ceremony WeGO acknowledged 21 cities, corporations, institutions, and individuals across several categories for their exceptional contributions to smart urban development.

The Philippine Embassy continues to support WeGO programs by encouraging more active LGU participation in WeGO activities, especially its capacity-building and training initiatives. This is in line with the Embassy’s advocacy for the importance of sub-national diplomacy, particularly domestically-focused and action-oriented initiatives and solutions on climate change, sustainable development, smart city goals, and good governance. END