GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOLDS YOUTH ENGAGEMENTS WITH VISITING STUDENTS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Seoul, 26 March 2018 – Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez welcomed to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, on separate occasions, the visiting university students, faculty members, and school officials from the University of Asia & the Pacific (U&AP), Far Eastern University (FEU), and Miriam College. The students were on a cross cultural immersion in Seoul.

Following a ten-minute video on the history of Philippine-Korean relations, the students, faculty members, and university officials were given a briefing on the role of the Philippine Embassy in Korea, its advocacies, and activities.

The meeting with the visiting students from the Philippines also served as a venue for the Ambassador and the Embassy to engage the Filipino youth. During his talks with the students, Ambassador Hernandez provided an overview of the robust Philippine-Korean bilateral relations and also the outlooks for the strengthening of this dynamic partnership. Ambassador Hernandez also encouraged them to excel in their studies and in their professions in the future as well as emphasized their important role in the country’s development.

Afterwards, Ambassador Hernandez answered questions on PHL-ROK defense and economic cooperation, national security issues, as well as education opportunities for Filipino students in Korea.

In March alone, a total of one hundred thirty-five (135) university students from the Philippines visited the Philippine Embassy, making it a regular part of the students’ itinerary in South Korea.

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PH EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN BUSAN

Members of the Philippine Embassy team led by Consul General Christian L. De Jesus (5^th from the right, seated) pose with Honorary Consul General to Busan, Dr. An Sang-wook (4^th from the right, seated), together with members of the Filipino community.

BUSAN, 24 March 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in South Korea conducted a two-day consular outreach mission in the city of Busan, located 325 kilometers south of Seoul, on 23-24 March 2018. Busan is South Korea's second most populous city after Seoul and it is the number one trading port. There are approximately 2,060 registered Filipinos residing in Busan.

The Philippine Embassy’s six-member consular team, which was led by Consul General Christian L. De Jesus, extended 343 consular services including passport applications, reports of birth, notarization, marriage and citizenship applications during the two-day outreach mission. Welfare Officer Manuela N. Pena and Pag-IBIG Member Services officer Mr. Dominic Leoligao accompanied the team to provide assistance and information on their respective services.

The consular outreach mission, the Philippine Embassy’s second for the year, was held at the Philippine Honorary Consulate General located in the Gumjeong District in coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consul General to Busan, Dr. An Sang-wook. Filipinos based in surrounding cities also availed of consular services.

A collage of photos taken during the Philippine Embassy's consular mission conducted at the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Busan, 23-24 March 2018.

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EMBASSY CELEBRATES NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH WITH ENHANCEMENT SEMINAR FOR FILIPINO TEACHERS

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez (front, center) poses with Professor Stewart Gray (first row, left), Third Secretary and Vice Consul Ella Karina Mitra (front row, right), and the 40 participants after the closing ceremony of the two-day seminar titled ‘Teaching English Skills Enhancement and Training Seminar for Filipino teachers in South Korea’ which was held at the Rizal Hall of the Embassy chancery on 17 and 18 March 2018.

Seoul, 19 March 2018 – The Embassy of the Philippines in Seoul, in line with its celebration of National Women’s Month, organized a two-day seminar for Filipino English language teachers in South Korea on 17 and 18 March 2018 at the Rizal Hall of the Embassy chancery.

This initiative also forms part of the Embassy’s efforts to enhance the welfare of Filipino marriage immigrants in the country – considered to be one of the most vulnerable sectors in the Korean society. With over 10,000 Filipina marriage migrants in Korea, and with the number still growing exponentially, the Embassy recognizes that there is a real and undeniable need to prioritize their well-being.

The seminar, titled “Teaching English Skills Enhancement and Training Seminar,” is principally aimed at building the teaching capacities of Filipina marriage immigrants who are employed at hagwons or language academies. Further, recognizing that marriage immigrants have limited access to quality employment in the country, this seminar also aims to make them more competitive in their field. This was underscored by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez in his closing remarks.

Ambassador Hernandez also informed the 40 participants that this initiative was born out of the Embassy’s desire to upskill Filipino teachers in specific sectors of English language education so they can be more effective in their craft and ultimately raise their level of participation in the country.

He also lauded the participants for their contribution in the country and for their devotion in the improvement of the Korean society.

“I would also like to commend all of you who, in your own ways, contribute to the advancement of multiculturalism in Korea. The important and many roles you play - both in your family and in the community - underscore much of your aspiration to raise your participation and integration into this society. Whether it be through teaching, you have all exhibited great fortitude in promoting a social environment in which cultural diversity is recognized and respected.” Ambassador Hernandez said.

The two-day seminar included modules that introduced elements of the English language, teaching fundamentals, and culture-based approach in teaching the English language. The participants of this seminar also underwent effective language and teaching training through workshops and feedback sessions.

Dr. Ian Done Ramos and Professor Aaron Jones of University of Suwon and Professor Stewart Gray of the Hanguk University of Foreign Studies, all TESOL professors, conducted the seminar.

(clockwise from upper left) 1. 40 teachers, mostly Filipino marriage immigrants currently teaching English at language academies, participated in the two-day seminar; 2. Dr. Ian Done Ramos, President of KOTESOL, an association of TESOL teachers in South Korea, and a professor at University of Suwon, taught the modules on accent neutralization and English grammar; 3. Professor Aaron Jones, also a TESOL professor at University of Suwon, conducted the lesson on teaching methods and strategies fitting Korean culture; and 4. Professor Stewart Gray, a TESOL professor at the Hanguk University of Foreign Studies, taught the 3^rd module on English conversation.

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