The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY JOINS ASEAN FAMILY DAY 2023 IN SEOUL

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega together with Philippine Embassy personnel and family members joined the Embassies of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in Seoul in celebrating the ASEAN Family Day 2023. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega played the game of HOM pétanque (Pétang) with Ambassadors of AMS in Seoul.

25 October 2023, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega led the Philippine Embassy Team comprising of personnel and their family members in the first post-pandemic celebration of the ASEAN Family Day 2023 on 22 October 2023 at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Lao PDR as the Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS), in cooperation with ASEAN embassies in Seoul.

Participants from the Embassies of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in Seoul enjoyed the festivities and participated in games such as HOM pétanque (Pétang), Ping Pong Ball Race, Dancing Chair and Tug of War. To showcase the flavors of the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy served pancit (a noodle dish), banana turon (Filipino fried banana rolls), and chicken inasal (Filipino-style chicken barbecue) for guests to enjoy.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul remains steadfast in its commitment to advance ASEAN interests and in promoting ASEAN identity in the Republic of Korea. END

BAYANIHAN THE NATIONAL FOLK DANCE COMPANY OF THE PHILIPPINES FEATURED AT THE CHEONAN WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL 2023

(PHOTOS – Top: Cheonan City Mayor Park Sang-Don (1^st from right) officially opens the Cheonan World Dance Festival 2023 with representatives from the 15 participating countries. Bottom left: Mayor Park with representatives from the Diplomatic Corps. Bottom right: Ms. Marielle Benitez Javellana, Trustee and Executive Director of the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation with Publisher & Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of the Korea Post (1^st from right), Chief Monk Park Seung-Uk (1^st from left) and Embassy Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista.)

24 October 2023, Cheonan City – The annual Cheonan World Dance Festival 2023 was held recently at the Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do from 05 to 09 October 2023 featuring the world-renowned Bayanihan dance company. Led by Trustee and Executive Director Marielle B. Javellana, the Bayanihan rendered several performances showcasing the Philippines dances and costumes before an international audience numbering about 1,500.

Mayor Park Sang-don officially opened the dance festival together with local representatives from Chungcheongnam province, officials from the Federation of International Dance Festivals (FIDAF), and members of the Diplomatic Corps based in Seoul.

Ensembles from Brazil, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines participated in this years’ festival.

The annual cultural and tourism festival is organized by the Cheonan Cultural Foundation in cooperation with the Korea Post.

The Bayanihan also participated in the 32^nd Korea Dance Festival held in Changwon-si from 10 to 15 October 2023 where they rendered four performances at the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial government Hall, Changwon Samjung middle school, Seongsan Art Hall and at the Jinhaeru Park. The festival was organized through the Korea Dance Association. END

(PHOTOS – The Bayanihan with dance troupes from other participating countries.)

(PHOTOS – Participating foreign and local dance groups with the international audience at the festival.)

FILIPINO ENTRY WINS SPECIAL AWARD IN MINISTRY OF GENDER EQUALITY AND FAMILY (MOGEF) EQUAL PARENTING PHOTO EXHIBITION

My Home, Our Family. Top left: Mr. Bernard Recirdo II’s photograph of the same title was selected as one of the 17 prize winners at the Parenting—an equal opportunity photo exhibition organized by the ROK Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Bottom left: Third Secretary Reisha Olavario views Mr. Recirdo’s award-winning photo on display during the awarding ceremony. The photo and video contest was organized by MOGEF in cooperation with Embassies of the Philippines, Sweden, European Union, Spain, France, and Norway (Bottom right).

19 October 2023, Seoul – As part of the diplomatic community’s effort to support and promote equal opportunity parenting in the Republic of Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul joined the Embassies of Sweden, European Union, France, Denmark, Norway, Spain, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) in organizing the photo and video contest highlighting the realities, challenges, and joys of co-parenting. The awarding ceremony was held at the HW Convention Azalea Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 19 October 2023.

Out of the 1,740 photos and videos that were submitted, the photo entry of Filipino participant Mr. Bernard Recirdo II entitled “My Home, Our Family” was awarded as one of the 17 winners selected through expert review and public voting.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, who also serves as the Philippine Embassy’s Gender and Development focal person, represented the Embassy at the awarding ceremony. During the brief discussion between organizers and winning contestants, Third Secretary Olavario highlighted the importance of co-parenting in child-rearing as well as initiatives such as the photo and video contest that highlights the experience of multicultural families in the Republic of Korea. MOGEF and the seven (7) participating Embassies all conveyed their hope for better legislation and support services for families in the Republic of Korea.

The winning entries can be found on the website, www.parentingtogether.kr. The chosen photos and videos will also be displayed at the 1^st floor entrance of the Eastern Plaza in COEX, Seoul from 23-30 October 2023, and at the Citizens' Hall Gallery in Seoul City Hall from 4-9 November 2023.

END

PHILIPPINE MICE ROADSHOW 2023 HELD IN MAJOR CITIES IN KOREA

Top L-R: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivering her opening remarks at the Seoul leg of the Philippine MICE Roadshow 2023 and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles presenting the Philippines as the ideal Bleisure Destination. Below: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and COO Nograles were joined by DOT regional officers and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr (rightmost) of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and Tourism Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo (second from left) of the Philippine Department of Tourism – Korea.

21 October 2023, Seoul. The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) led by its Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles conducted the Philippine MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions) Roadshow 2023 in the Republic of Korea from 09 to 19 October 2023. The roadshow spearheaded by the Department of Tourism kicked-off with a series of tourism promotion activities in Busan on 11 October 2023, in Yeosu on 13 October 2023, in Suwon on 17 October 2023, and the culminating event in Seoul on 18 October 2023.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Philippine MICE Roadshow 2023 in Seoul, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega warmly welcomed Philippine industry partners, Korean travel trade partners, media representatives and Philippine government officials participating in the event. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega described the Philippines as a land of breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm-hearted people, which makes it an ideal choice for hosting events that leave a lasting impression. She said that “this roadshow is not solely about business and tourism, it is about strengthening the bridges of cultural understanding between our nations, nurturing relationships that go beyond business transactions, and creating lasting connections that promote collaboration, innovation and growth in the Philippine and international MICE industry.”

TPB COO Nograles highlighted that the roadshow is the very first MICE-related event in Korea marking the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a brighter future for Philippine tourism through the MICE industry, thereby placing the spotlight on the Philippines’ great potential for economic development. She presented the Philippines as an ideal Bleisure Destination, a growing trend post-pandemic that combines business and leisure travel.

Traveling to the Philippines is convenient due to the short travel time and availability of flight options with numerous daily flights from major cities such as Seoul and Busan to major airports in the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Bohol International airports. Among the compelling reasons why travelers should consider the Philippines in planning a trip include the Filipino brand of service excellence, travel convenience, value for money destinations, favorable exchange rate, stunning nature, award-winning islands, and high-quality venues and first class hotel facilities for business activities.

As of 02 October 2023, the Philippines recorded a total of 1,068,915 Korean travelers who visited the Philippines. The Republic of Korea is the Philippines’ number 1 source of visitor arrivals.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul expressed its continued support to the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board on their initiatives to promote the Philippines’ potential as a MICE destination. END

Philippine tourism stakeholders joining the roadshow discuss various tourism programs with South Korean events and incentive travel companies during the business-to-business networking session. They were also serenaded by Ms. Mishka R. Camulte during the event.