The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE CUISINE: LUTONG BAHAY NI MAMA SITA

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30 August 2020. The Philippine Embassy in South Korea, in cooperation with the Philippine Agriculture Office-Seoul and Mama Sita Foundation, launched a special project on Philippine cuisine entitled Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita, a series of videos on Philippine food promotion to generate greater awareness of Philippine food in Korea and to provide an opportunity to learn and experience Philippine culture during the pandemic.

The project also aims to encourage the Filipino community in Korea to be partners in the promotion of Philippine cuisine, to inform the wider community of the availability of Philippine products and ingredients in the Korean market and to invite the Korean public to visit the Philippines when normal travel resumes.

About 60 guests attended the virtual launch of Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita on 30 August 2020. The guests included leaders and members Filipino-Korean migrants associations, Filipino workers, associates from various Korean cultural organizations, Korean and Filipino business owners and food enthusiasts.

During his welcome message, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus underscored that during this time of travel restrictions, “our food is our connection to, and a reminder of our country.” He also reminded the migrant multicultural families of their important role in bridging the cultural divides and fostering mutual understanding between the Filipino and Korean cultures. He emphasized that through sharing our food, which is an extension of our Filipino heritage and identity, Filipino migrants can help influence the wider community to be more accepting of another culture.

In his special video message, the Honorable Secretary of Agriculture William D. Dar mentioned that South Korea is included among the Philippines’ top 5 export markets for Philippine agriculture and fisheries products, and the Philippines enjoyed a net surplus of more than US$300 Million from its agri-fisheries trade with Korea in 2019. Secretary Dar stated that the Department of Agriculture, through the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul, is engaging in new and innovative ways of actively promoting not only traditional Philippine agri-fisheries exports but also new food export items through online platforms such as this collaborative project with Mama Sita’s. Secretary Dar lauded the efforts poured in the project saying that, “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they have done an admirable job in promoting the Philippines, Filipino culture and identity through gastronomy.” He also expressed the hope that with the support of the Filipino community in Korea and Korean food bloggers, grocery chains, restaurants and other food and cultural institutions, Philippine cuisine will also attain the recognition and patronage that other foreign cuisines enjoy in Korea.

Mrs. Clara Lapus, President of Mama Sita Foundation delivered an inspirational message where she narrated to the guests the beginnings of Mama Sita. She also talked about the similarities in the food cultures of Filipinos and Koreans. Apart from encouraging the guests to try Mama Sita’s simple and healthy lutong bahay (home-cooked) recipes, Mrs. Lapus also paid tribute to the dedicated Filipino suppliers and hardworking farmers who are partners in bringing Philippine products and flavors to our dining tables.

The Embassy received positive feedback from the participants in the virtual launch of Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita.

Filipino marriage migrant community leader Mrs. Fe Kim welcomed this project and expressed that some members of her association are planning to open a small Filipino restaurant as they were greatly encouraged by the availability of Philippine products and ingredients in Korea.

Korean food blogger Hungry Seoul wrote on his Facebook page about his excitement for the cooking videos on Philippine cuisine: “Even though Korean food uses a lot of chilis, there are still a lot of similarities with Filipino food. This is why I love eating Filipino food as well.”

The Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita marks the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the Buwan ng Wika in August. END

31 August 2020

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(L-R) Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus, Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, Mama Sita Foundation President Clara R. Lapus, and Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang, during the official launch of the Traditional and Contemporary Philippine Cuisine: Lutong Bahay ni Mama Sita, with guests from the Filipino married migrant communities, Korean cultural organizations, food businesses and food enthusiasts

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL ASSISTS 143 FILIPINOS WITH SPECIAL FLIGHT TO MANILA

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Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria Viejo delivers the message of Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus to the departing Overseas Filipinos during the briefing on health protocols that passengers undergo upon arrival at NAIA.

Seoul, 05 August 2020 – As part of its continuing effort to assist Overseas Filipinos in South Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul arranged another special passenger flight from Incheon to Manila via Asiana Airlines OZ 703 on 05 August 2020. A total of 143 landbased and seabased Overseas Filipino Workers joined the special flight.

To date, the Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs have arranged a total of 8 special passenger flights and facilitated the return of 1,412 stranded Overseas Filipinos, with the support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Manila International Airport Authorities (MIAA).

Before the flight’s departure, Philippine Embassy officials met the departing Overseas Filipinos at Incheon Airport and walked them through the necessary preparations for the health protocols they will undergo upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. As in the past, the Embassy also distributed vitamins and face masks to all departing passengers, courtesy of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO OWWA Korea).

The Overseas Filipinos expressed their appreciation to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Philippine Government for facilitating their return to the Philippines. END

06 August 2020

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Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria Viejo, ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, and Protocol Officer Denni Carlo Marnilego pose with the 143 Overseas Filipinos departing on the special Asiana Airline flight OZ 703.

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Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria Viejo, ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, and Protocol Officer Denni Carlo Marnilego with departing Overseas Filipinos on the Asiana Airlines flight OZ 703.

DOLE AKAP OFW BENEFICIARIES IN SOUTH KOREA REACH MORE THAN 700

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“Napakalaking tulong po ito! Hindi ko akalain. Salamat po!” 700^th DOLE AKAP grantee, Mr. Edwin Mendoza Castillo, a Forklift Operator from Icheon, personally received the USD200 from POLO OWWA Korea.

Seoul, 2 August 2020 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to provide cash relief to Overseas Filipino Workers whose employment were affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic, through the DOLE AKAP.

More than 700 OFWs in South Korea have received the one-time financial cash assistance amounting to USD200 each under the DOLE AKAP, a program being implemented by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) to assist OFWs worldwide who are displaced by the pandemic.

According to Chargé d’affaires a.i., Christian L. de Jesus, OFWs in Korea who were displaced from their jobs, whether permanently or temporarily due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, and those who were quarantined for 14-days upon arrival may apply for DOLE AKAP. “The Embassy continues to assist Filipinos in Korea amidst the pandemic. Since March, we have extended assistance by providing masks, hygiene kits, and food packages to our kababayans especially those in the most affected areas in Korea. We have also organized seven (7) special flights for around 1,200 Filipinos who found themselves stranded in Korea due to cancellation of flights from Incheon to Manila. And for those whose employment or income were seriously affected due to the economic impact of COVID-19, our OFWs in Korea were extended cash aid under DOLE AKAP,” said CDA de Jesus.

OFWs in Korea who received DOLE AKAP sent SMS and email messages expressing appreciation for the timely assistance provided by the Philippine government.

“Isa po ako sa dumating last June 25 dito. Malaking tulong po para samin ito na na-Mandatory Quarantine ng 14 Days. Muli po, maraming maraming salamat po.” (R. Macay, Sincere worker)

“Grateful po ako sa tulong na naibigay ninyo sa akin sa pamamagitan ng mabilis na pag proseso ng ayudang 200 dollar. Malaking kaginhawahan po ang halagang ito ngayong panahong may Covid 19 sa Korea. Kahit na undocumented po ako ay natulungan nyo ako. Maraming salamat po, Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte.” (R. Arasanzo, factory worker)

“Salamat po muli lalong lalo na po sa bayan kong Pilipinas, ramdam namin ang pagmamahal ng sariling bayan namin.” (E.J. Espinar, EPS worker)

POLO OWWA continues to receive applications for DOLE AKAP from OFWs in Korea. For information and application form, please check out the Embassy website and POLO-Korea FB Page or call 02 3785-3634/5 for inquiries. END

02 August 2020

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS WEBINAR ON MENTAL HEALTH

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Mental health experts Dr. Alyssa Kae Alegre and Dr. Majella Tumangan-Villaroman engage in a lively discussion with participants from the Filipino community in South Korea in the Philippine Embassy’s pioneering online seminar “Building Resilience during COVID-19 and the New Normal” held on 26 July 2020.

30 July 2020, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through POLO OWWA, held a pioneering online seminar for Filipinos in Korea entitled “Building Resilience during COVID-19 and the New Normal” on 26 July 2020.

Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus welcomed the more than eighty (80) Filipinos in Korea who were participating over the internet from their own homes or sites, and underscored the importance of being resilient and mentally healthy during this time of pandemic. “After 6 months of the pandemic, we have come to terms with social distancing measures as a means to prevent the spread of community infection. However, these measures and the continued threat of COVID-19 to our life and our loved ones could also take its toll on our mental health,” he said.

The seminar kicked off with a discussion on mental health from Dr. Alyssa Kae Alegre, a clinical psychologist and an expert in handling cases that involve people battling with stress, anxiety and depression. The lively discussion of Dr. Majella Tumangan- Villaroman, a renowned Philippine and international expert on mental health and resilience, rallied the participants and engaged them in various exercises to enhance their psychological well-being. She taught the participants habits that they can practice daily in order to develop their resilience especially during this time of pandemic. As the session closed, the participants could be heard happily chanting, “RESILIENCE is to THRIVE not just to SURVIVE!”

POLO OWWA partnered with the United Filipinos in Korea (UFILKOR) and its chapters headed by its newly elected President, Ms. Mercy Hachero, in holding this mental health seminar.

CDA de Jesus reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to provide relevant and meaningful services for Filipinos in Korea, despite social distancing measures. Following the CDA’s directive, POLO OWWA vowed to continue to hold series of information and learning activities that may be held online, in cooperation with the Embassy’s attached agencies and the Filipino community organizations in South Korea. END

30 July 2020