The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL MARKS 127TH INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH SYMBOLIC LIGHTING OF BANPO BRIDGE

In celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul proudly hosted the Symbolic Lighting of Banpo Bridge in the vibrant colors of the Philippine flag on 12 June 2025.

SEOUL, 12 JUNE 2025 – In celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul proudly hosted the Symbolic Lighting of Banpo Bridge in the vibrant colors of the Philippine flag on 12 June 2025, from 9:20 PM to 10:00 PM. This year’s Philippine Independence Day theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” (Freedom, Future, History), reflects the Philippines’ enduring journey toward a progressive future grounded in the sacrifices and triumphs of its past.

The lighting ceremony was attended by officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Filipino community in Korea who gathered in the spirit of unity to commemorate the historic day and celebrate the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

The Banpo Bridge (반포대교) is a prominent double-decked bridge in central Seoul, spanning the Han River and serves as a symbolic and functional connection between Seocho District (in the south of the Han River) and Yongsan District (in the north). The bridge not only facilitates transportation across the Han River but also represents connectivity, innovation, and urban development in Seoul. It is famous for its Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and light shows. As of 2024, it holds the Guinness World Record for the longest fountain bridge in the world.

“Lighting up the iconic Banpo Bridge in South Korea in the colors of the Philippine flag is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and pride of the Filipino people, both at home and abroad,” said Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega. “This celebration reflects our deep appreciation for our heritage and our shared hopes for a brighter, freer, and more united future.”

The Philippine Embassy extends its sincere gratitude to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and all the partners who contributed to this meaningful tribute, which brought the spirit of Philippine Independence to life in the heart of Seoul. END

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The Banpo Bridge seen in its entirety and the side view of the Banpo Bridge Fountain, in Philippine colors. The bridge is a popular tourist attraction. The bridge is famous for its Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and light shows. As of 2024, it holds the Guinness World Record for the longest fountain bridge in the world.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL COMMEMORATES 127TH INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH FLAG RAISING

Post welcomed several visiting Philippine government officials and representatives in conjunction with the celebration of the 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Among them were Hon. Bryan Lim, Special Envoy of the President to the Republic of Korea for Trade and Investments; Assistant Secretary Augusto V. Gaite of the Department of National Defense, responsible for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development; LCDR Melvyn N. Nesperos PN, Military Assistant to USDTRID; LCDR Arnolds Enriquez PN of the Office of Human Resource (OHR); LCDR Ian Jose Dimaculangan PN-MA of the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA); Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga of the Department of Agriculture, Region XI.

SEOUL, 12 JUNE 2025 – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega led the Philippine Embassy in Seoul in celebrating the 127th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence through a flag raising ceremony in the Embassy rooftop on 12 June 2025. Philippine Government officials in Korea for various bilateral and multilateral engagements, and honor guards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines joined the Embassy personnel in the program.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul joins the commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2025. This year’s theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” highlights the freedom that our forebears struggled for in the future that they dreamed for the country and the history that we seek to remember and honor them with.

Embassy officials read the national day messages of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Secretary of Tourism Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary of Trade and Industry Cristina Aldeguer Roque, Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu-Laurel, Secretary of Labor and Employment Hans Cacdac, and Overseas Workers Welfare administrator Patricia Caunan. These messages conveyed the Philippine Government’s call for unity, remembrance, and continued progress in pursuit of a freer and stronger Philippines.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega called on the personnel of the Philippine Embassy to remain mindful of the sacrifices that paved the way for the freedoms Filipinos enjoy today, and to honor the courage and valor of those who gave their lives in the pursuit of liberty. She also emphasized the importance of pursuing inclusive freedom through bilateral partnerships, highlighting the long-standing and dynamic strategic partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea—reflected this week in ongoing engagements across defense, agriculture, trade and investment, and multilateral cooperation. END

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega led the Philippine Embassy in Seoul in celebrating the 127th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence through a flag raising ceremony in the Embassy rooftop on 12 June 2025. Philippine Government officials in Korea for various bilateral and multilateral engagements, and honor guards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines joined the Embassy personnel in the program. Agricultural Attaché Lev Nikko Macalintal served as the program’s master of ceremonies.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, commemorate the 127^th Independence day with flag raising.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulates ROK President Lee Jae-Myung on his election

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulates ROK President Lee Jae-Myung on his election. The Philippine Embassy in Korea likewise conveys our well wishes and congratulations to President Lee.

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea enjoy vibrant and dynamic relations based on our strategic partnership, a future-oriented Free Trade Agreement, and our close cultural ties and shared aspirations for peace, stability, and economic prosperity. We look forward to working with the new ROK government to deepen relations between our countries.

PBBM Congratulatory message

PHILIPPINES COMMITS USD 20,000 TO SUPPORT GLOBAL VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

[Top photo] Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Director General Dr. Jerome H. Kim of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) on 26 May 2025 to formally convey the Philippines’ voluntary contribution of USD 20,000 to the IVI for FY2025. [Below photo] The Political and Economic Section led by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario (fourth from left) and IVI officers Ms. Youngmi Cho (second from right), Ms. Jael C. Cheruiyot (leftmost) and Ruchirkumar Pansuriya (rightmost) were also present during the meeting.

08 June 2025, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega together with the Political and Economic Section headed by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario met with Dr. Jerome H. Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) on 26 May 2025 at the IVI Headquarters in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, ROK, to reaffirm the Philippines’ support to IVI’s programs and initiatives with a USD 20,000 voluntary contribution.

“We hope that the Philippines’ third voluntary contribution would help in some measure towards the capacity-building programs of the IVI. The Philippines has long been a reliable partner of IVI on global vaccine development and international health cooperation and we continue to align with the mission of the IVI to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global public health,” Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said.

Both sides also discussed the recent strides of the Philippines at the forefront of leadership on global public health, including the country’s significant milestones at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) where the Philippines presided over the global body for the first time since it was founded in 1948. The WHA likewise adopted the landmark Pandemic Agreement, strongly supported by the Philippines, to eliminate global inequalities in access to vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and health technologies during pandemics and other crises. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that this aligns with the mission of the IVI in terms of vaccine development, equity of access and international cooperation. She conveyed that the Philippines is looking forward to further engagement with IVI on similar objectives.

For his part, Dr. Kim conveyed IVI’s appreciation for the Philippines’ support for the IVI’s work and for sending participants to the IVI’s capacity-building programs and welcomed the prospect of working even closer with Philippine health authorities and experts in fulfilling the mission of the IVI. END

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and the Political and Economic Section had a laboratory tour of the IVI conducted by Mr. Ruchirkumar Pansuriya. Bottom right: The Philippines works closely with IVI’s Global Affairs Department, led by Ms. Youngmi Cho (second from left) in pushing for inclusivity in vaccinology and other research-related trainings. To date, several members of the Department of Health and the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) have benefitted from this cooperation.