The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA UNDERSCORE SHARED COMMITMENT TO DEEPEN MARITIME COOPERATION IN 2ND MARITIME DIALOGUE

[First photo] DFA Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce with her ROK Counterpart, MOFA Director General Kim Dong Bae meet in Manila for the 2nd PH-ROK Maritime Dialogue held on 12 October 2023. [Second photo] The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce and to her left is Philippine Ambassador to ROK, Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega. [Third Photo] Delegation members of the Philippines and Korea to the 2^nd Maritime Dialogue poses for quick a photo opportunity.

12 October 2023, Seoul – The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea is pleased to share the press release issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs on the 2^nd Philippines – ROK Maritime Dialogue held on 12 October 2023 in Manila. Maritime cooperation is one of the most important aspects of PH-ROK bilateral relations and is the way forward of our long-standing and dynamic partnership.

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) underscored their shared commitment to deepen maritime cooperation as the two countries’ delegations met in Manila, for the second Philippines-ROK Maritime Dialogue, on October 12.

The two sides acknowledged the importance of the oceans to their national interests as they seek to build on their already robust engagement in the field of maritime cooperation.

The Maritime Dialogue covered a broad range of topics, including ocean economy, marine environment, maritime security and safety, and regional and multilateral maritime-related developments.

In her opening remarks, the Head of the Philippine Delegation, Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs said that this year’s Maritime Dialogue was “an opportune occasion to reaffirm our commitment to the enhancement of our mutual engagement in the maritime domain,” ahead of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations in 2024.

Assistant Secretary Ponce also took the opportunity to thank the ROK for citing the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea in its written submission to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the request for an advisory opinion related to climate change.

The ROK Delegation, for its part, said that the success of the Maritime Dialogue with the Philippines—its only maritime dialogue with ASEAN Member States—would serve as a model for the establishment of similar mechanisms with countries in the region in the future.

The Philippine Delegation included Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega and other DFA officials, supported by representatives of various national agencies in charge of maritime-related matters. The ROK Delegation, on the other hand, led by Foreign Ministry Director General Kim Dong Bae, was supported by representatives of key national government agencies. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOSTS A PHILIPPINE APPRECIATION AND NETWORKING NIGHT FOR FDCP AT THE BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (BIFF)

(Photos: Left - Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega delivers her welcome and congratulatory remarks. Right - FDCP Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz III conveys his appreciation and support to guests from the Korean film and creative industry.)

10 October 2023, Busan - The 28^th Busan International Film Festival was held recently from 04 to 13 October 2023. BIFF is now the most-attended international film festival event in Asia.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea hosted a “Philippine Appreciation and Networking Night” in honor of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by Chairperson & CEO Tirso Cruz III with guests from the Philippine and Korean film, creative content, cultural, and academic sectors.

The FDCP, along with other Philippine creatives, participated in the BIFF and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) during the more than week-long festival.

Ambassador Dizon – De Vega congratulated the FDCP Delegation and Filipino creatives for representing Philippine cinema at this years’ BIFF. She likewise updated the audience on the recently signed Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement as it stands to benefit the local film industry with provisions on potential cooperation in the film and creative industries.

For his part, Chairperson Cruz expressed his gratitude for the continued support of Philippine Cinema by the Philippine Embassy and the Korean creative and film industry.

Among the special guests at the reception were Korea Film Council Chairperson Mr. Park Ki-young, BIFF & ACFM General Manager for Public Relations Mr. Daniel Kim, Busan Film Commission Director & CEO Mr. Kang Sung Kyu, NEWONE Cinema (producer and distributor) Mr. Sony Won, Film and TV Actor Hoseung Jung, ASEAN Culture House Director General Mr. In-Hyuck Lee, Prof. Jeoffrey Calimag, and Busan University of Foreign Studies Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies Director Dr. Dong-yeob Kim.

(Photo: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega, Chairperson Tirso Cruz III, Special Guests and the FDCP Delegation pose for commemorative photos.)

Philippine participation at this year’s BIFF include: Essential Truths of the Lake (BIFF Film Icon Selection) produced by Ms. Bianca Balbuena and Directed by Lav Diaz; Filipiñana (Asian Project Market Selection), Director Rafael Manuel; Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (Asian Contents Awards nominees– Best Reality & Variety) produced by Lee Joseph M. Castel and Bryan Kristoffer J. Brazil; Moro (BIFF – Jiseok Award Selection), Directed by Brillante Mendoza; Daughters of the Sea (Asian Project Market Selection) Martika Escobar; Xixi by Wu Fan (Asian Cinema Fund Selection) Venice Atienza; and Arjo Atayde (Best Actor nominee Asian Contents Awards).

The film “Filipiñana” directed by Rafael Manuel and produced by Jeremy Chua won 3 awards at the 2023 Asian Project Market (APM).

(Photo: Special guests from the Korean film sector, academe, government and private organizations pose for a commemorative photo.)

The Philippine Embassy’s Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista was also present at the reception. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH SERVICE AND OVERSEAS VOTER MOBILE REGISTRATION IN GANGWON, SEOUL AND DAEGU

PR MTD 141 2023

15 October, 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy conducted a series of consular outreach missions in Gangwon on 30 September 2023, Seoul on 01 October 2023, and Daegu on 7 to 8 October 2023, with the cooperation of and in partnership with JIL-Korea, MCGI-Korea and the Daegu Filipino Community Council. Led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., the consular team rendered a total of 144 units of consular and Assistance to Nationals services to members of the Filipino community.

Representatives from Pag-IBIG and OWWA also joined the outreach and rendered a combined 116 services, including renewal of OWWA membership, and opening of Pag-IBIG regular and MP2 accounts. The Embassy also conducted an Overseas Voter Mobile Registration and processed the application of 157 Overseas Filipino Voters.

The Embassy looks forward to working with more Filipino Community organizations as partners in promoting Overseas Voter Registration among the growing Filipino population in Korea. The next outreach missions are scheduled on 22 and 29 October 2023 in Changwon and Pyeongtaek, respectively. END

PHILIPPINE HASS AVOCADO NOW AVAILABLE IN KOREA

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega joined DOLE Korea CEO Mr. Jack Kim during the launch event announcing the arrival of Philippine Hass Avocados in the Republic of Korea.

21 October 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is pleased to announce that Philippine Hass Avocados are now available in the Republic of Korea. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed the arrival of the Philippine hass avocados as a symbol of the strong trade relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea in agricultural exports during its launch on 19 October 2023 at the Homeplus, Gangseo branch. Homeplus is one of the largest retail hypermart chain stores in South Korea, with around 140 branches all over the country. The event was organized by DOLE Korea, led by its CEO Mr. Jack Kim, in cooperation with Agriculture Attaché Maria Alilia Maghirang of the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul.

The Philippine Hass avocado is a nutrient-rich fruit with a smooth and creamy texture making it a choice ingredient for a variety of recipes, especially salads and sandwiches. Full of essential nutrients and phytochemicals, the inclusion of the Philippine Hass avocado in the daily diet of consumers can effectively promote cardiovascular health, weight control, and balance glucose levels.

Consumers in South Korea can look forward to more shipments of the Philippine Hass avocados in the future. The fresh Hass avocado exports from the Philippines are sourced from the orchards and packing houses of Dole Philippines in Davao, Bukidnon, and South Cotabato.

The arrival of fresh Philippine Hass avocados to the Republic of Korea is a testament of our active bilateral relations, especially in trade and agricultural development. END