The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH Ambassador Delivers Keynote at KIAS-BUFS International Conference on ASEAN

PR BUFS KIAS

Amb. Dizon-De Vega delivers her keynote remarks; Dr. Chan Son Heung, President, Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS); Filipino academics Prof. Jovy Peregrino, Prof. Ronel Laranjo, and Prof. Joeffrey Calimag with Amb. De Vega and Prof. Dong Yeob-Kim, Director of KIAS-BUFS

10 November 2022, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered the Keynote Remarks at the Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies-Busan University of Foreign Studies (KIAS-BUFS) International Conference on “ASEAN Sub-regionalism and Korea-ASEAN Relations: Towards Complementary Cooperative Relationship” held from 28-29 October 2022 in BUFS, Korea.

In her remarks Ambassador Dizon-De Vega noted the great strides made in ASEAN-Korea relations and offered further points to consider in deepening engagement.

Along with other scholars from the ASEAN Region, Filipino academics Professors Jovy Peregrino and Ronal Laranjo from the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Professor of Global Management at Ulsan University Joeffrey Calimag also participated in the conference. END

Philippines Reaps Accolades at October Migrant Festivals in Korea

PR MTD 129 2022 October Cultural Events

31 October 2022, Seoul – Filipino Community groups and the Philippine Embassy participated in various migrants and multicultural festivals throughout the month of October in Korea.

At the 2022 Busan Global Gathering, the Itaewon Global Festival, and Migrant Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) in Changwon, the Philippine contingents won 3rd Place Overall for the Cultural Performance and top 3 Places for the National Costume contest in Busan, 2nd Place Overall at the Itaewon Grand Culture Prize, and 2nd Place for the Best Parade Presentation at MAMF. Philippine participation at these events likewise included Philippine tourism promotions booths, crafts booths, food booths, and traditional Philippine games.

The Philippine Embassy represented by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega who was present at all three major festivals, lauded the combined efforts of the Filipino Communities in these areas as they continue to showcase and share the traditions, culture, and creativity of Filipinos with mainstream Korean society. Speaking at both the Busan Global Gathering and the MAMF in Changwon, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega thanked the organizers and officials in Korea for continuing to promote multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusivity, citing the many contributions Filipino and other migrant communities bring to Korea.

The Philippines also participated actively in this year’s edition of the Seoul Friendship Festival, the largest global cultural event in Seoul, with a Philippine Tourism Booth, performances by the Seoul Dance Ensemble, and a national costume zone.

Philippine representation was also on full display at the Migrant Cultural Festival in Gumi City, where traditional Philippine dances were performed by community members for the Korean audience.

In addition, different Filipino Community groups in the southern region of Korea held a Filipino Cultural Festival in Gimhae also in October. END

UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES CONDUCTS MISSION ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

PR MTD 130 2022 ULAP

6 November 2022, SEOUL – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a delegation of Governors and officers from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) headed by Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino Province for a Study and Benchmarking Mission on Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Korea from 19 to 23 October 2022. Governor Cua also serves as the National President of ULAP. Joining him in the mission is Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque of Bukidnon, Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte, Governor Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. of Marinduque, Governor Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte and Governor Susan Yap of Tarlac.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Philippine Agricultural Office, organized meetings and familiarization visits for the delegation with various agriculture agencies and organizations in the Republic of Korea such as the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT), Korea Agrimachinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO), and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart and Farmers Cooperative. The study mission provided opportunities for further bilateral cooperation, as agriculture and food security is one of the main priorities of the Philippine government.

The delegation also attended the 2022 International Fermented Food Exhibition (IFFE) where fresh and fermented food products from various Philippine provinces like Tarlac and Quirino were displayed at the Philippine booth. Visitors likewise showed great interest in coffee from Bukidnon, okra from Tarlac, and bananas from Davao.

Prior to the agricultural study mission, Governor Cua attended the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders and World Congress on “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One” in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. He participated in the UCLG Executive Bureau meeting on 10 October 2022, that discussed the membership application of ULAP in the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization.

During the mission, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of linking local governments to their counterparts abroad. She likewise expressed the Philippine Embassy in Korea’s commitment to supporting Philippine efforts to tackle food security in the country through smart farming techniques and agricultural mechanization in strengthening PH-ROK agricultural cooperation. END

PR MTD 130 2022 ULAP2

PH EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN JEJU CITY

PR MTD 128 2022 Jeju Outreach

29 October 2022, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy conducted its fourth consular outreach mission for the year from 28 to 29 October 2022, in Jeju City, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega. The Embassy rendered 124 units of consular and Assistance to Nationals services to members of the Filipino community, including e-passport applications, notarials, marriage solemnization, civil registration, oath-taking of dual citizenship applicants, assistance-to-nationals and other services. Representatives from PAG-IBIG, POLO and OWWA, also joined the outreach and rendered a combined 221 services, including renewal of OWWA membership and OEC processing, contract verification, and inquiries on opening of PAG-IBIG regular and MP2 accounts, among others.

The Embassy Team likewise conducted a Services Information Session attended by officers of the Nagkakaisang Pilipino sa Jeju (NaPIL) and other volunteers on matters regarding visa applications, consular services, and other government services and requests for assistance. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Consul General Romulo Israel, Vice Consul Jilliane De Dumo-Cornista, and Labor Attaché Maria Celeste Valderrama conducted the session.

An awarding ceremony for the volunteers from NaPIL was also held to conclude the outreach mission. The Philippine Embassy is now in the process of drawing up its schedule for the 2023 Consular Outreach Calendar. END