GOVPH

PHILIPPINE FILMS FEATURED IN THE 2024 ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL

22 August 2024, Busan – In commemoration of the 75^th Anniversary of Philippine – Korea Diplomatic Relations and the celebration of the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, the Philippine Embassy in collaboration with its hosts and organizers the Korea Foundation – ASEAN Culture House (KF-ACH) and the Busan Cinema Center (BCC) participated in the 2024 ASEAN Film Festival held at the Busan Cinema Center.

Philippine films featured in the festival were John Denver Trending, locally distributed by NewOne Cinema and directed by Arden Rod Condez, The Housemaid directed by Roman Perez, Jr., a remake of the 2010 Korean film Hanyeo, and lastly, Waiting for Sunset directed by Carlo Enciso Catu, adjudged the Best Picture at the 2014 edition of Cinemalaya, which also had the honor of being chosen as the opening film for the festival.

In her congratulatory speech, Ambassador Dizon – De Vega said “Film brings people from diverse backgrounds and points of view together. The true test of the impact of any film is if the audience is touched by it, remembers it, thinks about it and if it lingers in our memories.” 

She further emphasized that, “Every year there are emerging talents set to make their mark in international cinema. Through festivals and platforms such as this ASEAN Film Festival, more audiences will have the opportunity to view these remarkable films, across several genres. I hope that this glimpse of AEAN cinema will show Korean audiences the depth and breadth of the cinematic voices of our region.”

PH EMBASSY RECOGNIZES AND ADMINISTERS OATH TO OFFICERS OF ALUMNI OF THE SISTER OF MARY SCHOOL INC.

1 September 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in South Korea, led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, conferred a Certificate of Recognition to the newly formed Filipino community organization, Alumni of the Sister of Mary School Inc. (ASMSI), during a ceremony held at the Sentro Rizal Hall, Philippine Embassy on September 1, 2024. This event also included the official oath-taking of the organization's newly elected officers.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega led the ceremony and expressed the Embassy’s enthusiasm for the positive impact that the organization is poised to make, not only among its members but also within the larger Filipino community in South Korea. In her remarks, she emphasized the organization’s important role in fostering a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among its members, which is crucial in empowering Filipinos living abroad and away from their families.

The ASMSI, led by its President Mr. Rodulfo G. Jabay, Jr., is an organization composed of the alumni of the Sister of Mary School, Inc., in the Philippines, and are currently serving as EPS workers and marriage migrants in South Korea.

Witnessing the recognition and oath-taking were Consul General Romulo Victor “Jun” Israel, Jr., Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, and Welfare Officer Cornelia DG. Chanco.

The Philippine Embassy continues to accept new registration, renewal, or administration of oaths for the induction of newly elected officers of Filipino community organizations in South Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/filipino_community.asp. END

PH AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS SKILLS OF FILIPINO CAREGIVERS

25 August 2024, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy joined the ongoing workers education program for the newly-arrived Filipino caregivers in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS)’ Pilot Project between the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).

The Embassy, together with the Migrant Workers Office-OWWA of Seoul, conducted a post-arrival orientation for the EPS caregivers as part of the 3-day workers training, and supplemental information sessions during the 3-week specialized Caregivers Training conducted by MOEL, HRDK and other designated agencies. The workers education included, among others, Korean labor standards, immigration laws, human rights, and occupational safety; Korean language and culture; EPS pilot project principles and scope of work; Embassy and MWO-OWWA program and services; daily living practices; and specialized training in child care and child safety in the context of Korean family values and practices.

During her meeting with the caregivers, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega emphasized the skills and specialized preparation of the Filipino EPS caregivers under the pilot project, having undergone strict screening standards and qualifications under the Philippines’ National Competency II Certificate Program on Caregiving and the prescribed pre-departure and specialized post-arrival workers education under the cooperation agreement.

According to the Ambassador, the skills, innate caring ways and productivity of Filipino caregivers are well known in many countries. Filipino caregivers contribute not only to the early child and elderly care system but also in boosting female workforce participation and work and family life balance.

Joining the Ambassador were Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, Jr., Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama, as well as Fr. John Yoo and Fr. Arvin Mosqueda, MSP, from the Archdiocese of Seoul’s Migrants Ministry, who led a thanksgiving mass for the newly arrived Filipino workers.

Under the agreed principles of the pilot project, the MOEL-certified agencies will serve as employers of the caregivers and the client Korean-households shall be dual-income families with child or children up to 12 years old, single parent families or families with pregnant women. For this purpose, the primary tasks of the EPS caregivers are childcare and household management as reasonably required for the personal needs of the child or children. – END-