GOVPH

CHEONAN WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL FEATURES BAYANIHAN DANCE COMPANY

[Top left photo] Mayor Park Sang-don (center) officially welcoming the Philippines represented by the Bayanihan Dance Company at the welcome reception for the 2022 Cheonan World Dance Festival in Cheonan, Chungnam Province, Republic of Korea. [Top right photo] The Bayanihan Dance Company regales the audience with its introductory performance at the opening night of the 2022 Cheonan World Dance Festival. [Bottom photo] The Bayanihan Dance Company, led by Executive Director Marielle B. Javellana (front row, fourth from right), is joined by Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. in a photo opportunity during the opening night of the 2022 Cheonan World Dance Festival.

In its first international performance outside the Philippines since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world renowned Bayanihan Dance Company participated in the Cheonan World Dance Festival, showcasing Filipino artistry and creativity on the global stage.

Joining ensembles from Bulgaria, Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey, the Bayanihan proudly put together performances highlighting the rich and diverse indigenous dances, costumes, and folk narratives of the Philippines in the five-day festivity beginning on 21 September 2022.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul represented by Minister and Consul General Romulo Israel applauded their flag-carrying and goodwill-inspiring appearance before an international audience at the opening ceremony of the Cheonan World Dance Festival, which they won in 2011.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Marielle B. Javellana, the Bayanihan Dance Company will be taking part in other festivals in Korea and will return to the Philippines by the end of September. END

PHILIPPINE DIPLOMAT JOINS KOREA FOUNDATION PROGRAM ON KOREAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Mr. Marthy Angue delivering his welcome remarks and appreciation to the Korea Foundation and fellow diplomats from around the globe

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul proudly welcomed a colleague from the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Mr. Marthy Angue, who is participating in the prestigious Korea Foundation (KF) Korean Language and Culture Program for Diplomats.

At the welcome ceremony tendered by the Korea Foundation for the 25 participating diplomats from around the globe, Mr. Angue introduced himself as coming from a country with deep and enduring friendship with the Republic of Korea being the first Asian nation to respond to defend its freedom during the Korean War. He likewise highlighted Korea’s readiness to lend a helping hand to the Philippines as proven in times of calamity.

Korea Foundation Executive Vice President Jong-kook Lee officially welcomed the participants and gave a bird’s-eye view of the three-month program running from September 19 through November 7, which includes Korean language classes, immersion in various aspects of Korean culture, as well as lectures on Korean history, society, smart cities, diplomacy, politics, and economics.

The KF, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and designated as the official public diplomacy organization of the Republic of Korea, first started the fellowship program in 2005 to foster mutual understanding between Korea and other countries.

The Philippine Embassy likewise continues to promote peaceful dialogue and cooperation as a key principle of diplomacy and supports initiatives to advance global peace and development through multicultural diversity. END

PHILIPPINES SIGNS DEED OF DONATION FOR PHILIPPINE STUDIES PROGRAM AT BUSAN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES

27 September 2022, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega signed a Deed of Donation from the Philippine Government with the Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) represented by Acting President Dr. Kyoo-Jae Shin on 20 September 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The grant for the BUFS will go towards enhancing the Philippine Studies program of the university particularly through courses on Philippine history, society, culture, and language. This will likewise support academic research on the Filipinos as well as outreach programs for Koreans, Filipino-Koreans, and other international students.

The program was made possible through the initiative of Philippine Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda who conceptualized and supported the realization of an “Advancing Philippine Studies Program” in various renowned academic institutions in different parts of the world. In her special video message during the signing ceremony, Senate President Pro Tempore Legarda emphasize the critical role of academic exchanges in fostering a deeper understanding of the Philippines and its relationship with other countries.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega is hopeful that the program will “bring about renewed engagement on Philippine studies for academics, students, and researchers.”

For his part, Acting President Dr. Shin welcome the grant stating that this will surely enhance the close relations between the Philippines and Korea.

Other Busan University of Foreign Studies officials, Dr. Kwang-woo Park, Dr. Dongyeob Kim, and members of the Korean Institute for ASEAN Studies as well as the Embassy’s Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista were present at the signing.

BUFS now joins the ranks of other prestigious universities in Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas all supporting the Philippine Studies program. END