GOVPH

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE LED BY SENATE PRESIDENT ZUBIRI MEETS KOREA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER KIM JINPYO

25 July 2023, Seoul. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri welcomed National Assembly Speaker Kim Jinpyo at the Office of the Senate of the Philippines on 25 July 2023. Both sides discussed the long-standing close relations between the Philippines and Korea, veterans affairs cooperation, active economic development projects, and elevating the ties between our two countries to a strategic partnership.

The Senate President was joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Leader Senator Joel Villanueva, Sen. Win Gatchalian, and Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega during the meeting.

Senate President Zubiri recalled how the Philippines contributed to defending Korea by dispatching soldiers during the Korea War and now numerous Korean companies are doing business in the country and are actively collaborating with the defense industry. He thanked the Korean government for its ODA projects such as those on irrigation, disaster mitigation, agricultural improvement, education development, and energy, and emphasized the strong ties forged between the Philippines and the ROK through its long-standing, enduring, and dynamic partnership.

Senate President Pro Tempore Legarda emphasized the importance of concluding the Strategic Partnership Agreement this year as both countries move towards the milestone 75th anniversary of relations in 2024. She likewise recalled her long-standing work alongside former UN SG Ban Ki-Moon and hoped that PH and ROK could collaborate more on green and sustainable matters.

Ambassador De Vega informed the meeting that the discussions on the Strategic Partnership Agreement are now in the late stages and targeted to reach a satisfactory conclusion this year. END

ROK SPEAKER KIM JINPYO OFFERS A WREATH AT THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL PYLON, LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI

24 July 2023, Seoul. Korean National Assembly House Speaker Kim Jinpyo paid tribute to the members of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) who fought during the Korean War and offered a wreath at the Korean War Memorial Pylon, Libingan ng mga Bayani on 24 July 2023. Philippine Army Chief of Staff MGen. Potenciano Camba was the Military host of the event.

MGen. Camba and Speaker Kim recalled how the Philippines dispatched the largest number of soldiers (7,420 from the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea) among ASEAN countries to the 1950s Korean War. Both sides affirmed the importance of strengthening the military capabilities of the two countries through enhanced cooperation in the defense industry, as well as the continued exchange and cooperation between the two militaries. END

PHILIPPINE CHORALE GROUPS WIN AWARDS AT THE 12TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES IN GANGNEUNG CITY, SOUTH KOREA

20 July 2023, Gangneung, South Korea – After a one-year delay, the 12^th World Choir Games (WCG) returned to Korea in 2023 and were held from 3 July to 13 July 2023 at the Gangneung Arena in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, South Korea.

Highest awards were garnered by the Ilocos Norte based choir, the Samiweng Singers of the Ilocos Norte National High School, winner of Diploma Gold IV in Category 4 - Mixed Youth Choirs and winner of Diploma Gold V in Category 19 - Musica Contemporanea Mixed Voices. The conductor of the Samiweng Singers is Sherween Cabrales.

The Northwestern University – Saguday Chorale of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte also won the highest award Diploma Gold I in Category 15 – Musica Sacra a cappella. They also received a Diploma Gold IV in Category 26 – Folklore a cappella. Saguday Chorale is the official student choir of the Northwestern University composed of 28 singers who represented the university and country. The choir’s conductor, Sherberk Cabrales, said that he was “humbled and honored” by the wins.

The Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. Concert Chorus (QC PADFI) received two (2) awards, the Diploma Gold III in Category 4 – Mixed Youth Choirs and the Diploma Gold III in Category 19 – Musica Contemporanea Mixed Voices. The conductor of QC PADFI is Nicanor Castro Infante.

The QC PADFI also performed at the Korean-Philippine Friendship Concert together with the Goyang Civic Choir Children’s Choir and the Goyang Civic Choir at the Oulim Theater in Goyang City and at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

The Anima Christi Chorale of Lucena City, received two (2) awards, the Diploma Gold I in Category 15 – Musica Sacra a cappella and the Diploma Gold IV in Category 26 - Folklore A Capella.

The ACC was led by Choirmaster Joel A. Boragay.

The Capiz State University Main Chorale (CMC) received two (2) awards, the Diploma Silver VII in Category 5 – University and College Choirs and the Diploma Gold IV in Category 26 – Folklore a cappella.

CMC Advisor & Associate Professor Vivian Apuang said “It is indescribable, overwhelming and heartwarming to receive the award on a world stage, representing our university and the country,” John Michael Lauron and Vivian Apuang are the conductors of CMC.

The WCG, or the Olympics of Choir, is the largest global choir festival and competition, with over 25,000 singers from 308 participating groups, from 70 countries who competed, was held from 3 July to 13 July 2023 in Gangneung City, Gangwon province, South Korea. END