The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN ASEAN WEEK 2022 “ANCIENT FUTURES: TREASURES OF ASEAN FABRIC”

Philippine weaves from the Cordillera region on display at the 2022 ASEAN Week Cultural Exhibit

22 November 2022, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy participated in the ASEAN WEEK 2022 “Ancient Futures: Treasures of ASEAN Fabric” exhibition hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) and showcased Cordillera textile and fabrics from the personal collection of Ambassador Theresa Dizon- De Vega.

In a statement on the exhibition, the Ambassador added, ”Every single weave from the Cordillera region of the Philippines tells the story of its people and its indigenous traditions, incorporating the natural landscapes, flora, fauna, colors, and beliefs of this area and its communities. Its patterns are part of a precious tradition passed on through generations. This is a unique gift which we hope will continue to thrive and be an instrument in connecting the Cordillera region to the rest of the world.”

The exhibition highlighted the shared values in arts and culture between ASEAN and Korea through their diverse textiles and fabrics.

In addition, the AKC also collaborated with Happy Design House, a popular Korean lifestyle magazine, for a photo feature of each ASEAN Ambassador. The Philippine photo story showcases Cordillera textiles and other indigenous Philippine weaves worn by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and will be featured in the December issue of the magazine.

Present at the exhibition opening were Consul General Romulo Israel and Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista. END

PH AMBASSADOR RECEIVES “BEST AMBASSADOR AWARD” FROM KOREA CONSUMER GLOBAL COUNCIL

PR MTD 140 2022 Best Ambassador Award

16 November 2022, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega received the “Best Ambassador Award” conferred by the Korea Consumer Global Council (KCGC) at the Korea Consumer Brand Awards 2022 on 15 November 2022 at the Korea Press Center. Other envoys recognized by the KCGC include Honduran Ambassador Virgilio Paredes Trapero, the current Dean of the Latin American Ambassadors Group, Eygptian Ambassador Khaled Abdel Rahman, and Algerian Ambassador Mohammed Bensabri. National Assembly member Kim Yeungshik for his advocacy for building strong Korean brands.

The award conferred annually is given to Ambassadors with a record of active engagement with Korean counterparts in various areas of cooperation and in further deepening bilateral ties between Korea and the international community. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was cited for her work in promoting closer Philippines-Korea and ASEAN-Korea relations, working on maritime, defense, economic, political, and cultural initiatives, as well as promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos in South Korea.

Earlier this year, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was likewise given the 2022 Friendship Ambassador Award by the Korea Culture and Friendship Association for promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Korea. END

Philippines Renews Support for Global Access to Vaccines at IVI State Forum

PHOTOCARD PR MTD 142 2022 2022 IVI State Forum

Philippine Ambassador delivers a country statement at the 2022 IVI State Forum

20 November 2022, Seoul. The Philippines took part in the 2022 International Vaccine Institute (IVI) State Forum held in Seoul in October.

Marking 25 years of existence, member countries, including the Philippines, expressed support for IVI’s efforts in vaccine development and building vaccine self-sufficiency while at the same time working for easier access to vaccines particularly for populations in developing and least developed countries.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega re-affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to and support for IVI noting that IVI’s work across the globe aligns with our actions and contributions, within the broader context of our global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other diseases and securing more responsive public health systems. END

PHILIPPINES SHARE INITIATIVES TOWARD DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND NARROWING DIGITAL DIVIDE AT THE FIRST ASIA PACIFIC DIGITAL MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 2022

PhotoCard PR MTD 141 2022 UNESCAP Asia Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy led the Philippine delegation to the First Asia-Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference 2022, where communication ministers and leaders from ESCAP member states discussed digital development and growth in Asia and the Pacific. The Secretary was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DICT Assistant Secretary Philip Varilla, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

SEOUL, 14 November 2022 — Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John E. Uy led the Philippine delegation to the First Asia Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference 2022. Co-hosted by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Ministerial Conference agreed to strengthen cooperation in promoting connectivity and transformation towards a safe and inclusive digital society in the Asia-Pacific region. Aside from serving as the Philippine head of delegation, Secretary Uy was also nominated as the Vice-Chair of the First Asia Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference.

Emphasizing that no country should be lagging behind digital innovation, Secretary Uy underscored that the Philippine government under the Marcos administration recognizes that for the Philippines to fully and unconditionally benefit from digital transformation, access to its many opportunities and potential should be equally afforded to every Filipino citizen.

To this end, Secretary Uy announced that the Philippines is currently deploying digital connectivity across its various islands guided by the blueprint for the deployment of broadband connectivity across the nation. Aside from digital connectivity, the DICT also informed the body that it is working towards improving efficiency in the delivery of PH public services, focusing on the continuous digitalization and integration of government and business services online pursuant to the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018. Secretary Uy likewise emphasized that the DICT is exploring ways to integrate and promote the adoption of new technologies, such as big data, Artificial Intelligence or AI, robotics, cloud computing, among others to improve national competitiveness.

ROK Minister Lee Jung-Ho also expressed the willingness of the Republic of Korea to share best policy practices for digital paradigm transformation that will propel the region to economic prosperity. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was likewise present during the Ministerial meeting.

At the end of the Ministerial Conference, ESCAP member countries agreed to continue to work together harmoniously in achieving UN ESCAP’s goal of delivering quality digital services to the Asia-Pacific region. END