GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN KOREA CELEBRATES 125th ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE AND NATIONHOOD

12 June 2023, SEOUL - To commemorate the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood, the Embassy led by Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega hosted a diplomatic reception on 8 June 2023 at the Grand Hyatt, Seoul. Some 200 members of the diplomatic corps, business sector, academe, and ROK government officials joined the Philippines in celebrating 125 years of independence.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega paid tribute to the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, “From standing shoulder-to-shoulder during the Korean War to our constantly evolving and progressive engagement in the political, security, defense, economic, cultural, labor, tourism, and people-to-people areas – ours is both a historic and dynamic partnership.” 

“In the past twelve months since the last celebration of our National Day, Philippines-Korea relations have never been more robust,” the Ambassador added. She underscored that both nations continue close cooperation on various fronts, including established official dialogue mechanisms for renewed cooperation in the Maritime, Fisheries, and Science and Technology areas and reinvigorated exchanges from several Ministerial-level visits, Parliamentary Delegations, Local Government visits, cultural cooperation, and investment missions, as well as Minister-level and Leaders-level engagements between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Yoon Seok-Yul and Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo and Foreign Minister Park Jin.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also renewed the Philippines’ commitment as a long-standing friend and partner of the Republic of Korea especially in promoting inclusivity, “The Philippines renews its commitment to work closely with our Korean partners and friends as well as other countries in promoting greater inclusiveness and multiculturalism as we embrace both the things that make us unique and those which unite us.”

The reception was made special by the attendance of Guest of Honor Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Choi Youngsam. Deputy Minister Choi extended his congratulations in behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Korea. He lauded Ambassador Dizon-De Vega for her “outstanding work in bringing the people of our two nations closer together,” noting that he has himself read the news articles on the Embassy’s gastrodiplomacy initiatives.

Deputy Minister Choi also highlighted that Philippine and ROK relations are enjoying a high momentum brought by the high-level exchanges at almost all levels, with Koreans as the top tourist arrivals in the Philippines and the record high bilateral trade volume of 18 billion USD in 2022.

Other notable guests included Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Lee Sanghwa, Ms. Jasmine Lee, former National Assembly member and now a member of the Presidential Committee on National Cohesion, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Carlos Victor Boungou also the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Gabon to the Philippines who joined Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and Deputy Minister Choi on stage for the commemorative cake cutting ceremony.

To celebrate ROK’s top spot as the number one source of tourist arrivals for the Philippines in 2022, the Philippine Embassy through the Philippine Department of Tourism in Korea and travel partners Philippine Airlines, JPark Water Resort, and The Crimson Mactan raffled off roundtrip tickets with hotel stays from Incheon to Cebu to two lucky winners, both coming from the diplomatic corps.

The event was capped by a well-received performance by Ms. Mishka Antoinette R. Camulte who sang beautiful renditions of Filipino and Korean favorites, Umagang Kay Ganda and Areum Dau Nara. Both songs symbolize shared Philippine and Korean values of hope, resilience, and nation building. END

SPEAKER MARTIN ROMUALDEZ TELLS FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN JEJU, “YOU ARE THE REAL AMBASSADORS OF THE PHILIPPINES”

14 June 2023, JEJU ISLAND - Philippine House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez met with members of the Filipino community living in Jeju lsland, South Korea on 1 June 2023. 

During the meeting, Speaker Romualdez assured the Filipino community that the Philippine government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., continues to prioritize the welfare of Overseas Filipinos, especially in discussions on sustainable peace and development. 

 “In recent days, we have had a great discussion about regional security, economic development, and the important role that sustainable development plays in peace and security in general. At the center of our discussions is the importance of the welfare of our countrymen, including Filipino migrants living in the Republic of Korea. We are aware of the fact that the peace and prosperity of this country can only be achieved if there are effective strategies that will protect, elevate, and uphold your rights as migrants in the Republic of Korea. The Philippine government welcomes this challenge and is ready to cooperate in ensuring that the welfare of Filipinos in Korea is safeguarded,” the House Speaker said.

He likewise gave tribute to the Filipino community as the Republic of Korea has regained its number 1 spot as source of incoming tourism arrivals to the Philippines, owning a 25% share of the over-all number by saying, “You probably helped a lot to encourage more Koreans to see our beautiful country. Lahat po kayo ay ambassador ng Pilipinas sa bansang ito. Kung maraming Korean na pumupunta sa atin, ito ay dahil nakita nila ang kabutihan ng mga PIlipino na nandito ngayon.” 

Speaker Romualdez also assured the audience that the Philippine Embassy under the leadership of Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega who was also present in the activity stands ready to assist overseas Filipinos living in Korea. He likewise informed the Filipino community that the congress recognizes the Embassy’s efforts in delivering quality services to and uplifting the lives of the 59,000 Filipinos living in South Korea. 

Joining the Speaker in meeting the community were members of the 19th Congress, including Hon. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Chairperson on Committee on Accounts, TINGOG Partylist, Hon. Glona Labadlabad of Zamboanga Del Norte, 2nd District, Hon. Emigdio Tanjuatco III, 2nd District of Rizal, Hon. Ma. Alana Samantha T. Santos, North Cotabato, 3rd District, Hon. John Tracy Cagas, Davao Del Sur Lone District. Hon. Peter B. Miguel South Cotabato 2nd District, Hon. Shernee A. Tan-Tambut, Partylist KUSUG TAUSUG, Hon Princess Rihan M. Sakaluran, Sultan Kudarat 1^st District, Hon. Maria Carmen S. Zamora, Davao de Oro, 1st District, Hon Antonio "Tonypet" T. Albano, Isabela 1st Distrct, and Hon. Jonathan Clement Abalos, 4Ps Partylist. END

SPEAKER MARTIN ROMUALDEZ COMMITS TO DEEPER PH-ROK PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY AT THE JEJU FORUM FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY AND THE ASEAN-KOREA LEADERS FORUM

14 June 2023, JEJU ISLAND, REPUBLIC OF KOREA – Philippine House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and members of the 19th Congress represented the Philippines at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity and the Special ASEAN-Korea Leaders Forum from 31 May to 2 June 2023. The Philippine Embassy in Korea, led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega likewise participated in the Forum.  

At the Forum, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ROK working closer together for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. “The Philippines looks forward to cooperation in promoting sustainable mic growth and enhancing regional resilience, with a focus on energy and food security, among others,” said Romualdez.

As sustainable peace is a key component of economic growth, Speaker Romualdez also said the Philippines continues its effort to reform and modernize the country’s security sector to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity and deal with natural calamities and disasters to pave the way for accelerated economic development.

“We still have ways to go and we will look to partners like the Republic of Korea and those present today in improving these initiatives, and in working together to make sure that the geopolitical challenges of today do not undermine the possible gains of our future,” the Speaker said.

He also pointed out that the Philippines is an advocate of the importance of open communication and effective collaboration between interparliamentary bodies in addressing a range of transnational and global threats. Speaker Romualdez also congratulated his counterpart, Kim Jin-Pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, for hosting the 2023 forum during a meeting between the PH and ROK delegations.

Both Speakers agreed to strengthen PH-ROK parliamentary relations through the exchange of information, parliamentary visits, and sharing of best practices. The House Speaker expressed hope that increased parliamentary cooperation can help create more job opportunities for Filipinos through more investments in the country. 

Senior members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Glona Labadlabad and Hon. Emigdio Tanjuatco III represented the Philippines at the Special Session of the ASEAN-Korea Leaders Forum, a special program of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, which brought together parliamentarians and business leaders in the region to discuss pressing issues such as climate change and the diversification of the supply chain. 

Members of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) sub-committee including Hon. Princess Rihan Sakaluran, Sultan Kudarat 1^st District, Hon. Ma. Alana Samantha T. Santos, North Cotabato, 3rd District, Hon. John Tracy Cagas, Davao Del Sur Lone District, and Hon. Peter B. Miguel, South Cotabato 2nd District, held bilateral meetings with their counterparts from Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia to discuss institutional ways that will strengthen and foster BIMP-EAGA as a whole, especially at parliamentary level. 

The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity was first launched in 2001 as a platform for international dialogue to seek creative solutions to pressing issues. With this year’s theme of “Working Together for Sustainable Peace and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”, the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity gathered around 3,000 participants to discuss that the current state of global affairs and more engagement among middle-rising economies in the Indo-Pacific. END