The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

Philippines Creative Content for the World Showcased at 27th Busan International Film Festival

PR MTD 126 2022

18 October 2022, Seoul and Busan, Korea – The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) slogan – “Philippine films for the world” was at the center of the Philippine participation at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of the most prestigious in the world during its 27^th edition held from 5 to 14 October 2022.

The Philippine Delegation was headed by FDCP Chair Tirso S Cruz III and the FDCP team including Technical Consultant and renowned film and television Director Jose Javier Reyes and Executive Director David D. Fabros. A number of active Filipino producers and other creatives likewise took part in the nearly two-week festival which resumed full in person activities this year.

The Philippines also took part in the Asia Contents and Film Market (ACFM) and other collaborative events during the festival. Chairman Cruz met with ACFM Head Mr. Oh Seok Geun who previously served as the President of the Korean Film Council.

Two new works by acclaimed Filipino auteurs Lav Diaz (When the Waves are Gone) and Brillante Mendoza (Feast) were screened to full audiences at BIFF’s ‘Icon” program while three other Philippine co-productions “Autobiography”, “Arnold is a Model Student”, and “Plan 75” were also showcased in the “window on Asian Cinema” segment.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was on hand to welcome the Philippine Delegation and supported the country’s participation in the festival and the ACFM. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega noted that “This is a new age for Asian Cinema and the Philippines, through the FDCP and our vibrant creative community, is an engaged and active player through increased collaboration and exchanges.”

Another notable achievement at the BIFF was the award given to GMA 7 news and public affairs program “Atom Araullo Stories” which won Best Documentary for its episode “Young Arms” at the 4^th Asia Contents Awards held at the BIFF.

The Philippine participation at the 27^th BIFF was capped by the holding of the “Philippine Cinema Night” a traditional activity hosted by the Philippines at major film festivals to thank the festival organizers and to build more networks for the promotion of the Philippine creative industry. Representatives from the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) were on hand to lend support to the event. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN THE 1ST ASEAN-ROK HEALTHCARE COOPERATION CONFERENCE

PR MTD 123 2022

SEOUL, 13 October 2022 — the Philippines participated in the 1^st ASEAN-ROK Conference on Healthcare Cooperation held on 7 October 2022 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul.

The Philippines commended the active and concerted efforts made by ASEAN and ROK to strengthen health system resilience and enhance health security through the ASEAN Plus Three Health Sector platform, the coordinated regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well the commitment to accelerating the progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in ASEAN Member States.

The Philippines likewise highlighted its work on capacity-building projects with ROK to respond to emerging infectious diseases, including utilizing digital technology for diagnostic means, a responsive e-government cloud system for collecting and utilizing health data through the ASEAN-ROK HIRA project, and professional support for the establishment and utilization of information systems between ASEAN and ROK through the ASEAN Adaptive Financial Risk Management System

The said Conference was attended by Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) Executive Director Kim Young-ok, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) Director Yoon Chan-sik. The Philippine Embassy was represented by Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. END

PHILIPPINE CONTINGENT PARTICIPATES IN THE KOREA FOUNDATION’S 2022 PUBLIC OFFICERS’ FELLOWSHIP

PR MTD 124 2022

The Filipino Fellows participating in the program, together with the Korea Foundation and Soon Chun Hyang University Officers and Philippine Embassy representatives.

05 October 2022, Asan City. The Philippine Embassy welcomed four participants to the Korea Foundation’s 2022 Public Officers’ Fellowship on 05 October 2022 in Asan-si, Chungcheongnsam-do. The program, offered since 2019, aims to provide an opportunity for public officials from various countries to learn more about Korea’s language, culture and society. Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane De Dumo-Cornista and Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista represented the Philippine Embassy at the event.

Four Filipino public servants will be participating in this year’s program, including Mr. Justin Charles Cordel from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Ms. Marivic Dulalia from the Bureau of Immigration, and Ms. Krysta Bergantin and Mr. Jhay Romer Tapang from the Philippine Coast Guard.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Korea Foundation has implemented a variety of initiatives to promote a better understanding of Korea and create a global network. The first-in person fellowship since the pandemic, the 2022 program will run from October 4 through November 30, 2022 at the Soon Chun Hyang University. A total of 23 public officers from various countries, including the Philippines, will be participating in the program. END

PH EMBASSY COMMEMORATES 72ND ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES TO KOREA (PEFTOK)

1PR 72nd PEKTOK

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN - Philippines Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivers a speech on Tuesday, 11 Oct 2022 at the War Memorial of Korea on the occasion of the commemoration of the 72^nd anniversary of the landing of the first Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK).

12 October 2022, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the participation of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) in the Korean War with a program and wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial Museum in Seoul.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega recalled that the Philippines sent five Battalion Combat Teams (BCTs) from 1950-1955 with a total number of 7,420 personnel throughout the Korean War. The Philippines is the first country in Asia to do so, and the fifth in the world to respond to this very important call. According to Ambassador De Vega, PEFTOK is proof of the Philippines’ support of the principle of collective security to help the UN forces in Korea. “As a dutiful member of the family of nations, it was in fulfillment of our country’s obligation as a co-signatory of the United Nations Charter. More importantly, it was in fulfillment of our belief that for a country to have peace, a country must be free,” the Ambassador said. She also paid tribute to the legacies of PEFTOK veterans former President Fidel V. Ramos and Major Maximo Young who both passed away in 2022 and were recipients of distinguished decorations from the Korean Government.

She likewise underscored that since then, PH-ROK relations have enjoyed 73 years of cooperation in the political, defense, economic, socio-cultural, and people-to-people spheres and that the Philippines remains resolute in its commitment to elevate PH-ROK ties, as exemplified by the regular exchange of visits in defense and veterans affairs.

Philippine Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary Joselito B. Ramos was the guest of honor during the commemorative activity. Assistant Secretary Ramos highlighted the long-standing and enduring defense and security ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea which exists today because of the PEFTOK. He likewise paid tribute to decorated PEFTOK veterans Col. Veneciano “Bonny” Serrano and Col. Conrado Yap whose lives serve as an inspiration for members of the Philippine military.

The Battle Resume of the PEFTOK was presented by Armed Forces Attaché of the Philippines Col. Enriqueto Deocadez.

Director General for International Cooperation Kang Yun-Jin of the ROK Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA), and UN Korean War Allies Association (UNKWAA) Chairman Kim Dugun were likewise present to pay tribute to the heroism of Filipino troops during the war.

The wreath-laying ceremony was attended by officers of the Embassy of the Philippines and its attached agencies, defense attachés of UN sending states, descendants of PEFTOK veterans studying in Korea, and friends and partners of the PH-ROK veterans community. END

2PR 72ND PEFTOK

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega with Assistant Secretary Joselito Ramos of the DND, MPVA Director General Kang Yun-Jin, and UNKWAA Chairman Kim Donggun. Joining the VIP guests are officers of the Embassy of the Philippines in Seoul, PH military cadets training in the ROK and defense attachés of UN sending states.