The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH ARTISTS AND CULTURE SHOWCASED AT THE 2024 ASIA SONG FESTIVAL AND CULTURE BRIDGE FESTA

(PHOTOS – Top: Opening Ceremony and Ribbon-Cutting of the 2024 Asia Song Festival and Culture Bridge Festa. Below left: H.E. Shorna-Kay M. Richards, non-resident Ambassador of Jamaica to ROK Middle: KOFICE Vice President Kim Kyung-nam. Below right: Philippine Ambassador to ROK H.E. Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega deliver their congratulatory messages during the Opening Ceremony.)

14 November 2024, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy recently participated in the 2024 Asia Song Festival and Culture Bridge Festa events held from 26 to 27 October 2024 at the Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. The back-to-back events were organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea (MCST), headed by Minister Yu In-chon and the Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE), led by its President Park Chang-sik. The Philippines and Jamaica were this year’s themed experiential cultural participants in the festivals that attracted approximately 48,000 attendees to the Mulbit Stage area in Yeouido Hangang Park.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega extended her congratulations to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of ROK, the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) and all the artists for organizing and participating in the two events. She further stated, “These activities are being held at an auspicious time in Philippines-Korea relations as we commemorate 75 years of diplomatic ties and also the elevation of our relations to that of a Strategic Partnership during the State Visit of Korean President H.E. Yoon Suk Yeol to the Philippines earlier this month.”

PR MTD 144 2024 2 (PHOTOS: Top left: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega performs the tinikling with members of the Filipino Community. Top right: Ambassador Richards enjoying her turn dancing the tinikling. Below: Ambassador Richards, KOFICE Vice President Kim, Ambassador Dizon – De Vega with Jamaican dancehall musical group, Dance Xpressionz, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and Filipino and Korean volunteers.)

In addition, Park Chang-sik, President of KOFICE, shared, “This was a valuable platform for bringing together and celebrating the music and cultures of Asia and Jamaica. KOFICE will continue to serve as a leading force in promoting international cultural exchange.”

(PHOTOS: Top left: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega welcomes Jamaican Ambassador Richards, KOFICE Vice President Kim and Ms. Yennie Shon, KOFICE Project Manager to the Philippine booth. Top right: Young visitors at the PH booth appreciating the traditional attire, musical instruments and tourism brochures. Below: Filipino community volunteers and visitors at the Philippine Village.)

The Philippine and Jamaica villages gave the visitors an authentic atmosphere of each country through its arts and crafts exhibitions, traditional attire photo booths, food and beverage tasting, and interactive experiences. The Philippine booths were manned by volunteers from the Kabayan Filipino Center of Incheon.

The first day of the Asia Song Festival at the Mulbit Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park featured live performances from prominent Asian artists. Music platform Spotify’s Filipino rising star, singer-songwriter and musician Dionela, entertained the audience with his original songs and energetic acoustics with his equally enthusiastic band members. Other artists who performed were from Jamaica, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, and Korea with a special collaboration number between Korean boy group 8TURN and Vietnamese Gen-Z star, Mỹ Anh (Vietnam).

(PHOTOS: Top left: Dionela entertaining the crowd with his original tagalog songs. Top right: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega and Embassy personnel with Dionela. Below: Dionela with his band perform at the packed Mulbit Stage area.)

On 27 October, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group founded in 1972 by national Artist Ramon Arevalo Obusan, captivated the audience not only with their colorful costumes and vibrant dances but also with a performance that showcased the history of Filipino folk dances representing the different regions of the Philippines. A repeat performance by Dionela was much appreciated by the crowd with the artist relaying, “It is an honor to perform in Korea for the first time”. A mixed audience of Koreans, international viewers and members of the Filipino Community in Korea.

(PHOTOS: Top & Below left: The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group expressing the history of Filipino folk dance through their colorful attire and traditional performances. Below right: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega and the Ramon Obusan Folkloric group in their Filipiñiana attire.)

The Asia Song Festival attracted about 31,000 attendees on-site, 81,000 viewers globally through YouTube live stream and about 45,000 guests visited the Culture Bridge Festa during the two-day event. END

PHL EMBASSY, CFO AND UFILKOR SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCT 1ST YOUTH LEADERS IN THE DIASPORA (YOULEAD)

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28 October 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy, in partnership with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the United Filipinos in Korea (UFILKOR), successfully launched the inaugural Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLEAD) – Korea immersion program from 21 to 27 October 2024.

This initiative, part of the yearlong commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations, aims to help young Filipino-Korean individuals deepen their understanding and appreciation of their Filipino heritage, develop supportive networks with peers, and cultivate their talents as future leaders.

The program welcomed 25 Filipino-Korean youth, ages 15 to 27, who took part in a diverse array of activities designed to enhance cultural awareness and foster leadership potential. As a highlight of their send-off at the Embassy on 20 October 2024, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega delivered a warm welcome, encouraging the youth to embrace this unique opportunity to connect with their Filipino heritage, build lifelong friendships, and celebrate both the shared history and future that unite the Philippines and Korea.

Dr. Son Byung-ho, Chairman of the Multicultural General Welfare Center in Seoul, which generously supported the YouLeaD participants, attended the pre-departure orientation and remarked that it made him proud for the center to play a privileged part in this undertaking that uplifts and empowers Filipino-Korean youth. He also spoke highly of the invaluable contribution of the Philippines during the Korean War that Filipinos and Koreans alike should never forget but find it an inspiration for closer cooperation and mutual support.

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Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., serving as the program’s lead coordinator, provided the participants with an overview of what to expect during their time in the Philippines, including basic facts about the Philippines, its history, cultural diversity, and key landmarks. This was followed by an interactive session to allow the participants to get to know each other better, creating a welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for a week of meaningful cultural immersion and discovery.

The delegation engaged in a language workshop and gender and development (GAD) training at the CFO Office in Quezon City, followed by an enriching interaction with students of the Las Piñas National High School’s Special Program for Foreign Language (SPFL) – Korean Language Course. The young delegates were also introduced to the rich Philippine heritage at the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Anthropology and the historic walled city of Manila, Intramuros.

A highlight of the program was the participants’ courtesy call on DFA Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo Jose A. De Vega and Assistant Secretary for Cultural Diplomacy Celia M. Feria at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Undersecretary De Vega emphasized the importance of Filipino pride and shared history, referencing the Philippines’ support for Korea during the Korean War, while Assistant Secretary Feria encouraged the youth to embrace the Filipino language and celebrate their bicultural identity.

The program’s final days included visits to historical sites in Ilocos and Vigan, giving participants a memorable first-hand experience of, and profound connection to, the Philippines’ vibrant history and culture. A dinner hosted by the Philippine Embassy at Barbara’s in Intramuros showcased traditional Filipino cuisine, allowing the youth to celebrate their experiences and newfound connections.

Working in groups of five, the participants coming from Jeollanamdo, Jeollabukdo, Gyeonggi, Daegu, Gwangju and Seoul, will be sharing their insights and learnings from the immersion program in creative video format during the annual gathering of families of UFILKOR members to be attended by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega on 07 December 2024.

The 1st YouLEAD – Korea program was a resounding success, enriching Filipino-Korean youth with a sense of pride, understanding, and community that will empower them as they contribute to society in the Philippines and in Korea. END

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PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS PH DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION OPPORTUNITIES WITH KOREA EXPORT-IMPORT (KEXIM) BANK EXECUTIVES

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with KEXIM Bank Executive Director Um Sung-Yong of the bank’s EDCF Operation Group on 21 October 2024. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario and Commercial Attaché Charmaine Yalong. KEXIM Bank Director Kim Yu Shin joined Executive Director Um during the meeting.

30 October 2024, Seoul - Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega underscored the impact of Korea Export-Import Bank funded projects for the transformative economic development of the Philippines in a meeting with Korea Eximbank Executive Director Um Sung-Yung on 21 October 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. Both sides looked forward to the successful implementation of EDCF projects in the pipeline, agreeing that infrastructure projects are crucial for sustainable development, impacting not just economies but also communities and the environment.

The meeting likewise discussed the successful outcome of the State Visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol to the Philippines, including the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) providing around USD 2 billion in financial assistance through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund for the Laguna Lake Circular Road Network and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge construction projects, as well as the loan agreement for the second phase of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road project.

When completed, the projects are expected to help usher in the transformative development of the Philippine economy through improved transportation and connectivity which will boost the trade, agriculture, and tourism industries, and elevate the living standards of Filipinos who will benefit from the projects.

Both the Laguna Lake circular road and PGN bridge construction projects are mega landmark projects, ranking as the first and second largest projects in the fund’s history.

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea are long-time partners in economic and industrial development through the EDCF fund. END

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH GREEN ENERGY COMMITTEE CHAIR OF THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE EXPO (IEVE)

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Green Energy Committee Chair of the International Electric Vehicle Expo Mr. Michael Choi at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

29 October 2024, Seoul - Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Green Energy Committee Chair of the International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE) Mr. Michael Choi at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 21 October 2024.

The Philippines is an active participant in the IEVE, regularly sharing developments in the Philippine EV ecosystem and its potential to create a more efficient and sustainable transport system. In pursuit of increasing the use of EV in the Philippines, the EV Association of the Philippines has also taken an active role in the ASEAN Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations with other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Laos and Indonesia. As the second largest producer of nickel in the world, the Philippines can benefit from advancing the Electric Vehicle industry as critical raw materials are required to manufacture its vehicles and parts. The Philippines looks forward to the successful convening of the 2025 IEVE Expo in Jeju Island, with its renewed focus on green energy transition in the mobility sector and ROK’s Carbon-Free Initiatives. END