GOVPH

PH NATIONAL BOBSLED TEAM PLACES IN THE KOREA CUP 2025

02 March 2025, Pyeongchang, South Korea - The Philippine National Bobsled Team recently competed in the Korea Cup 2025 held from 27-28 February 2025 at the Pyeongchang Olympic Sliding Center in Gangwon province, South Korea. The Philippine contingent composed of seven (7) active members from the Philippine Coast Guard garnered 2^nd place in the female team 2-woman bobsled and 4^th place in the male team 2-man bobsled competitions.

The female team is composed of Ms. Reah Joy P. Sumalpong (driver) and Ms. Shirley G. Salamagos (brakeman), while the male team is composed of Messrs. Eugene P. Etrata (driver), John Froilan C. Pascual (brakeman), John Onil A. Alcaide (reserve brakeman), Team Coach Jeffrey G. Dela Cruz (reserve driver/brakeman), and Team Manager/OIC Ens Heins Lundberg G. Arlegui. 

Mr. Arram Kim, Head of Education of the Pyeongchang 2018 Legacy Foundation invited our athletes to participate last October 2024 in the New Horizons Academy, an international youth training program for winter sports, and to also train at the Pyeongchang Olympic Sliding Centre facilities. The program and training started in October 2024 and concluded this February 2025 with the holding of the Korea Cup 2025. 

In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding and Declaration of Friendship was also signed between the Philippine National Bobsled Luge and Skeleton Association (PNBSLA) Inc., the Korea Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation (KBSF), the 2018 Pyeongchang & 2024 Gangwon Legacy Foundation (PGLF) and Pyeongchang County in November 2024. Signatories to the MOU are President and CEO Thelmo O. Cunanan, Jr. of the PNBSLA, President Chanmin Chyun of KBSF, Secretary General Seoungku Kang of PGLF and Deputy Mayor Seonghyun Hwang of Pyeongchang County.

The MOU signing and participation of the PH National Bobsled Team in the Korea Cup 2025 comes at a time when the Philippines and Korea are celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations.

The Team was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul after their participation in the Korea Cup while the Embassy’s Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista witnessed the competition in Pyeongchang. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH SERVICE IN MOKPO AND YEOSU

22 February 2025, Yeosu. The Philippine Embassy conducted a consular outreach mission in Mokpo and Yeosu from 20 to 22 February 2025. The consular team rendered 76 units of consular and Assistance to Nationals services to members of the Filipino community, including e-passport applications, notarials, civil registration, and Embassy ID, among others. The Embassy team likewise provided basic information on the upcoming National Elections through Internet or online voting.

Representatives from Pag-IBIG, MWO and OWWA also joined the outreach and rendered a combined 53 services.

For more information on future outreach mission schedules, please visit the Embassy website at www.philembassy-seoul.com. END

PHL EMBASSY CONDUCTS SECOND FILCOM LEADERS’ CAMP

17 February 2025, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in coordination with the MWO-OWWA-Seoul, successfully conducted the Second Filipino Community Organizations’ Leadership Camp from 15 to 16 February 2025 at Sentro Rizal Hall. With the theme “Enhancing Community Emergency Preparedness and Security Awareness,” the event aimed to equip Filipino community leaders with essential skills in security preparedness, emergency response, and law enforcement coordination.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized that the leadership camp serves as a crucial platform for community leaders to enhance their ability to identify and mitigate potential security risks, particularly in large gatherings and public events. She expressed her hope that the two-day training would not only reinforce community preparedness but also foster stronger collaboration among Filipino organizations in South Korea, ensuring a more united and proactive approach to safety, crisis, and emergency response.

The camp was attended by over 110 Filipino community leaders representing at least 53 Filcom organizations, a significant increase in participation compared to the previous year. Key training sessions included personal and personnel security, facilitated by resource person Mr. Yves Samuel P. Orillaneda, which focused on self-protection and safeguarding fellow community members. On the second day, resource person Ms. Mildred C. Abordo led discussions on venue/site survey and security and quick and emergency response to attacks, providing insights into assessing venue safety and effectively responding to emergencies.

Participants engaged in practical exercises simulating real-life emergency scenarios to ensure they are well-prepared to respond to crisis situations and protect the welfare of their respective communities. Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., and Second Secretary Ernest Joseph P. Diga facilitated the session wherein participants practiced drafting a security plan for a simulated event, as well as a tabletop exercise to test their response strategies. The participants were divided into groups and conducted site visits to designated nearby shelters and performed essential emergency procedures during an actual evacuation or crisis.

To enhance practical learning, Seoul Metropolitan Police Officer An Sung Pil provided an orientation on the proper procedures for reporting crimes, particularly those commonly affecting foreigners. He also shared vital information on emergency hotlines and key contacts to ensure timely assistance and response in critical situations.

During the event, the Embassy also facilitated the recognition of four newly registered Filipino community organizations – the Filipino-American-Korean Organization in Korea, Pocheon Filipino Community, Abe-Abe, and Maseok Filipino Catholic Community. At least 15 other Filipino community organizations also renewed their registration. Also in attendance were Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista who moderated the program, MWO-OIC Manny Barotilla, and OWWA Welfare Officer Nel DG. Chanco.

Since the inaugural leaders’ camp in March 2024, there has been a notable increase in participation and interest in community preparedness. Beyond security preparedness, the camp also provided a valuable opportunity for Filipino community leaders to build stronger networks and connections among themselves. The event also reinforced the strong partnership between the Philippine Embassy and Filipino community organizations, ensuring a more coordinated and efficient response in times of crisis. The Embassy looks forward to future coordination initiatives with the Filipino Community in South Korea. END