GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN KOREA HOLDS MEMORIAL CEREMONY FOR FORMER PRESIDENT AND KOREAN WAR VETERAN FIDEL V. RAMOS

9 August 2022 - The Philippine Embassy in the Republic of Korea, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega held a memorial service celebrating the life and honoring the legacy of former President Fidel V. Ramos on 4 August 2022. Aside from cultivating PH-ROK relations during his time as the 12^th President of the Republic, former President Ramos was a key figure in Philippines - ROK relations, as he was one of the leaders of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) from 1950-1953 and in his later years was an active champion of PH-ROK veterans affairs cooperation.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega shared her personal anecdotes on former President Ramos’ impeccable work ethic and people skills. “He was throughout his stint as President pursuing peace as our country’s top diplomat. He was not just a soldier, not just a diplomat, not just a man of peace but also a builder of our nation. And during his term, our country was able to realize progress and peace and we will always remember him for that,” the Ambassador said.

DFA Undersecretary for Administration Antonio Morales, who was in Korea for meetings, also shared his tribute and highlighted former President Ramos’ expertise as a foreign policy President and the Philippine gains in economic development during the Ramos Presidency. Col. Enriqueto Deocadez Jr. rendered his snappiest salute in honor of former President Ramos’ legacy as a soldier in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. read the DFA statement on the demise of the former President which highlighted his contributions to higher standards of protection and the promotion of the welfare of migrant Filipino workers, their families, and distressed Filipinos abroad.

As a recipient of the Republic of Korea’s Grand Order of Mugunghwa and the Cheonsu Medal, Order of National Security Merit, ROK officials including Vice Minister of National Defense Shin Beom-chul and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) Director General Kang Yujin paid tribute to the former President, underscoring his invaluable contribution to ROK’s freedom and democracy as a Korean War Veteran and member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea. Then 2^nd Lieutenant Ramos led a forty-four-man combat battalion and won the Battle on Eerie Hill, one of the major victories involving the PEFTOK during the 1950-1953 Korean War.

Defense Vice Minister Shin personally wrote a touching tribute to the former President, saying that “He has never stopped being proud of the sacrifices made by the armed forces of the Philippines to safeguard the freedom of the Republic of Korea. Today, the people of the Republic of Korea still vividly remember the late President and his sincere efforts to develop PH-ROK friendship beyond his years as President of the Philippines.”

MPVA Minister Park Minshik also paid his respects to the former President on 3 August 2022 by signing the Embassy condolence book. Minister Park expressed grateful appreciation for the former President’s notable contributions to the nation as a PEFTOK soldier and as a figure of PH-ROK veterans affairs cooperation, writing that the Republic of Korea will never forget the former President’s bravery and sacrifice.  

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Yoon Soungmi, Korean War Memorial Director Lee Sangchul, and the custodian of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea Ambassador Hur Kang-Il were also present during the ceremony. Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy, its attached agencies, and Filipino descendants of Korean War veterans were likewise in attendance. END

ROK Officials, led by Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Minshik and Ministry of National Defense Vice Minister Shin Beom-chul sign the condolence book for former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Uniform and other accoutrements of former President Fidel V. Ramos as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea.

PEAK Pinoy Encourages OFs in Korea to explore Coconut-based business opportunities in the Philippines

05 August 2022, Seoul – The 9^th edition of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness to Filipinos in Korea or PEAK-Pinoy program of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul held on 31 July 2022 showcased coconut-based business opportunities in the Philippines.

PEAK-Pinoy activities are aligned with the thrust of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for a renewed focus on the agriculture sector to support food security, employment generation, and the sustained growth of the Philippine economy, especially in the countryside.

For this edition of PEAK-Pinoy, coconut-based business opportunities in the Philippines, particularly in the CALABARZON Region (IV-A) were discussed by invited speakers from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and from coco-based companies who shared their knowledge, expertise, and experience in the coconut processing business.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, in her welcome address, lauded the PEAK Pinoy – one country team initiative as it endeavors to support every overseas Filipinos’ aspiration to reach their full potential while in Korea. “The Philippine Embassy in Seoul through PEAK Pinoy promotes early preparation and planning for our kababayan’s reintegration/ return back home. We would like to equip them with timely and useful knowledge and ideas in entrepreneurship and agribusiness, as we also encourage them to be government’s partners in the Philippines’ economic development” she said.

During the webinar, Ms. Luz Brenda P. Balibrea, head of the Trade Information & Relations Division of PCA presented the Philippine Coconut Industry: Its Growth Potentials and Business Opportunities, while Ms. Maura M. Pasciolco, Owner/ General Manager of PASCIOLCO Agri Ventures and Mr. Francisco P. Rubio, President/CEO of Greenlife Coconut Products Philippines Inc. shared their hands-on experience in managing their respective coconut products manufacturing business. They provided helpful tips in starting one’s own agrinegosyo and spoke about the wide-range of government support services from the DA, DTI, DOLE, and OWWA for budding Filipino entrepreneurs, including returning overseas Filipinos.

The webinar was conducted via zoom and via livestream on Facebook. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS THIRD CONSULAR OUTREACH AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING IN GWANGJU CITY

30 July 2022, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy conducted its third consular outreach mission for the year from 29 to 30 July 2022 in Gwangju, led by Consul General Romulo Victor Israel. The Embassy rendered nearly 313 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, likewise joined the outreach and rendered a combined 76 services, including renewal of OWWA membership and OEC processing, contract verification, and opening of PAG-IBIG regular and MP2 accounts, among others.

Alongside the outreach, a series of seminars on various topics affecting Filipino nationals were undertaken by the Philippine Embassy team. Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista and ATN Officer Fatima Tabio discussed Assistance-to-Nationals services. Attached services representatives such as Welfare Officer Aniceta G. Deuna spoke on OWWA services while Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Enriqueto Deocadez, Jr., discussed contingency security situations and how to respond to extraordinary situations. Some aspects of the Korean criminal law system and practical tips for migrants’ greater awareness and protection were presented by Gwangju Police Officer Lee Sang Min. 

An appreciation ceremony for the volunteers from the Gwangju Jeonnam Philippine Community Center and the Gwangju Filipino Catholic Community was also held to conclude the outreach. The Philippine Embassy is expected to conduct its fourth consular outreach for the year in Jeju Island in the fall of 2022. END