The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINES DESIGNATED AS THE ‘COUNTRY OF FOCUS’ AT 2018 BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

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Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, together with his wife, Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez, join the Philippine delegation, led by Ms. Liza Dino-Seguerra, Chairperson of the Film Development Council, at the 23^rd Busain International Film Festival Red Carpet event on 04 October 2018.

Busan, 07 October 2018 – This year, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of the most significant film festivals in Asia, has recognized and given honor to the Philippines by designating it the ‘Country of Focus.’

As the ‘Country of Focus,’ Philippine cinema was highlighted in a number of activities and events during the weeklong festival. This includes the launching of the commemorative book published by the BIFF, titled “Centennial Anniversary of the Philippine Cinema,” as well as the staging of BIFF’s Special Program titled “Cinema as a Response to the Nation” which features the following Philippine movie classics: Lamberto V. Avellana’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” (1965), Eddie Romero’s “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?” (1976); Mario O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” (1976); Fernando Poe Jr.’s “Ang Panday” (1980); Lino Brocka’s “Cain at Abel” (1982); Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s “Moral” (1982); Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala” (1982); Mike de Leon’s “Bayaning 3rd World” (2000); Chito Roño’s “Dekada ’70” (2002); and Remton Siega Zuasola’s “Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria” (2010).

At the “Window on Asian Cinema” event of the BIFF, the Philippine films being showcased include Mike de Leon’s “Citizen Jake”; Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Alpha, The Right to Kill”; Alec Figuracion’s “The Eternity Between Seconds”; Dwein Baltazar’s “Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus”; Chito Roño’s “Signal Rock”; and the omnibus “Lakbayan,” by Lav Diaz, Brillante Ma Mendoza and Kidlat Tahimik. Meanwhile, part of the “Wide Angle Short Film Showcase” are Joji Alonso’s “Last Order” and Stephen Lee’s “Manila is Full of Men Named Boy.” Kevin Piamonte’s “Land from God” is part of the “Wide Angle Documentary Showcase.”

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), headed by its Chairperson, Ms. Liza Dino-Seguerra, led the Philippine delegation to the BIFF, which included Filipino actors Piolo Pascual, Christopher de Leon, Sandy Andolong, Joel Torre, Max Collins, filmmakers Kidlat Tahimik, Brillante Mendoza, Joyce Bernal, Remton Siega Zuasola, Manunuri member Tito Valiente, and FPJ Productions’ vice president Jeffrey Sonora.

The 23^rd BIFF opened on 04 October with a Red Capet event and an Opening Ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in downtown Busan. Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez and his wife, Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez, joined the Philippine delegation on the red carpet.

On 07 October, FDCP hosted the “Philippine Night” to introduce Philippine delegates to international partners for exposure and possible collaborations. Amb. Hernandez was the guest of honor.

In his remarks at the Philippine Night, Ambassador Hernandez lauded Philippine filmmakers and artists for being catalysts for change. “You inspire and encourage people to reach beyond their grasps. Through your work, you can rouse your audience to think and feel deeply, pursue excellence, and contribute to the community. You can galvanize people into action and reawaken their love for kin and country. Artists serve a very important function in society and this is very true in the Philippines,” the Ambassador emphasized.

He also called on the Philippine government and other non-government groups to continue its support for the Philippine Cinema, underscoring that they are “essential in ensuring the success of Philippine cinema in the long-term. I hope that this trend will continue into the future, as the success of the Philippine film industry is the success of the entire country.”

The 23rd BIFF opened on 04 October and will run until the 13th.

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Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, FDCP Chairperson Liza Dino-Seguerra, and Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez, join the Philippine delegation to the 23^rd BIFF at the Philippine Night on 07 October 2018. Ambassador Hernandez was the guest of honor. Photo Credit: FDCP.

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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL JOINS THE 2018 FOREIGN WORKERS FESTIVAL

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Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama and Welfare Officer Aniceta G. Deuna pose with Team Philippines (FASIGKO Community) during the 2018 Foreign

Workers Festival held on 2 September 2018 at World Cup Stadium Central Square in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

Suwon, 2 September 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the 2018 Foreign Workers Festival on 02 September 2018 at the Suwon World Cup Stadium Central Square in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The Embassy was represented by Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama.

The annual event, which is hosted by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), aims to promote the Employment Permit System (EPS) and support foreign workers’ stay in Korea.

The program was opened by HRD Korea President Kim Dong Man who conveyed his appreciation to all the foreign workers who greatly contribute to the productivity of small and medium companies in South Korea. The program was then followed by preparation of traditional japchae, a Korean noodle dish, led by the Ambassadors, Labor Attachés, and other HRD Korea officials.

Each of the 16 EPS-sending countries were also given the opportunity to showcase information materials, services, and national culinary delights in their respective booths, alongside counselling, medical, and other help-desks for foreign workers.

Two (2) competitions were held to showcase the talent and skills of EPS workers namely, KPOP and Traditional Culture performance. Philippines’ Briane Isidro Torres, a Filipino EPS worker from Yangsan, and the Filipino Association in Gimhae Korea bagged First Prize in the KPop and Traditional dance contest, respectively.

At the end of the program, a ceremony was held to award two excellent foreign workers from Nepal and Sri Lanka. Two outstanding business owners were also recognized.

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Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama with Team Philippines (FASIGKO Community) after their winning performance in the 2018 Foreign

Workers Festival held on 2 September 2018 at World Cup Stadium Central Square in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

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PH PROMOTED AS A PROMISING DESTINATION FOR TOURISM INVESTMENTS AT THE INAUGURAL ASEAN-KOREA TOURISM INVESTMENT SEMINAR

Seoul, 20 June 2018- The Philippine delegation, led by Tourism Undersecretary Alma Rita D. Jimenez, promoted the Philippines as a promising destination for tourism investments during the “ASEAN-Korea Tourism Investment Seminar” organized by the ASEAN-Korea Center on 8 June 2018 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul.

PH Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez was a special guest at the Opening Ceremony together with some ASEAN Ambassadors. The Opening Ceremony was also attended by Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) Director Angelica Cayas and Tourism Attaché Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo and other tourism officials.

The Seminar featured the theme “Tourism Investment Partnership for a Sustainable Future.” As it was the first time for the ASEAN-Korea Centre to host a Seminar on tourism investment in close collaboration with the tourism authorities of ASEAN member states, there was great interest from potential Korean investors to learn more about the tourism investment opportunities in the ASEAN member states.

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H.E. Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez (4^th from right) with H.E. Aladdin D. Rillo, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community (6^th from left), H.E. Secretary General Lee Hyuk of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (center) and Tourism Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez (6^th from right) during the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN-Korea Tourism Investment Seminar on 8 June 2018 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul.

The Seminar opened with remarks by H.E. Lee Hyuk, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, followed by Welcome Remarks from Datuk Rashidi bin Hasbullah, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia, and Congratulatory Remarks by Mr. Keum Gi-hyung, Director General of Tourism Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea.

Dr. Aladdin D. Rillo, a Filipino national who is currently the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, delivered the keynote address during the event.

During his keynote address, Deputy Secretary General Rillo expounded on the opportunities and challenges in the development of tourism in the ASEAN region. He also underscored that “the Seminar was timely as it is in line with the trend of fostering tourism development of Korea and ASEAN, deepening tourism cooperation between the two sides, facilitating mutual understanding between tourism industries, and broadening cooperation in tourism investments.” To this end, Deputy Secretary General Rillo expressed hope that the governments and the private sectors from both sides could work together to expand investments in tourism infrastructure, provide a favorable policy environment and more financial support for the development of the tourism industry, and promote the sustainable and stable development of the tourism industry.

Representatives from the tourism authorities of ASEAN member states also shared with the audience the tourism investment climate and foreign investment projects in their respective countries. For the Philippines, Ms. Alma Rita D. Jimenez, Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination & Resource Generation, delivered a presentation highlighting the promising tourism investment prospects of the Philippines.

In her presentation, Undersecretary Jimenez noted that the “Philippine tourism sector is one of the biggest contributors to the growth of the Philippine economy and that the Philippines is recalibrating its travel destinations to boost capacity due to increased demand.”

Undersecretary Jimenez also underscored that “the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program under the administration of H.E. President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to boost interconnectivity throughout the Philippine archipelago and contribute to the growth of the tourism sector.”

Aside from Undersecretary Jimenez, Director Danilo B. Intong of the Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations also delivered a presentation during the event.

Following the presentations, business-to-business meetings were held by representatives of ASEAN member states with interested Korean investors.

The ASEAN-Korea Tourism Investment Seminar was a resounding success as it paved the way for Korean companies to be apprised of the promising investment opportunities in ASEAN’s vibrant and growing tourism sector.

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PHL EMBASSY IN SEOUL CELEBRATES 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

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Ambassador Hernandez and Madame Ana Hernandez pose with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

SEOUL, 18 June 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul successfully hosted a diplomatic reception on 14 June 2015 at the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The event was attended by about 450 guests from the diplomatic, business, and religious communities, as well as the government sector. The Korean Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Sun-gu was the Guest of Honor.

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, in his Independence Day message, highlighted the strong economic performance of the Philippines under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Ambassador Hernandez attributed the country’s impressive GDP growth rate of 6.7% last year to the vision of the Duterte administration to effect transformative change in the Philippine society and economy.

“President Duterte’s efforts to form a more law-abiding society, his constant focus on fighting corruption and criminality, as well as the contributions and support of our international partners are indispensable to achieving inclusive economic growth and prosperity,” the Ambassador said.

Apart from underscoring the economic gains of the country in recent years, Ambassador Hernandez also emphasized in his remarks the strong bilateral relationship between the Philippines and South Korea.

“Today, apart from commemorating our nation’s independence, we also celebrate the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and South Korea that has grown and flourished through the years, blossoming to become a very strong partnership in the fields of politics, defense and security, trade and investment, development, education, tourism and people to people exchanges,” the Ambassador stated.

Ambassador Hernandez highlighted the important role of South Korea in the Philippines’ economic emergence, the former being the country’s 5th major trading partner, the 6th largest source of official development assistance, and the number one source of tourists for the past 3 years with 1.6 million Korean visitors in 2017. In terms of people-to-people exchanges, South Korea is home to over 68,000 Filipinos while there are over 98,000 Koreans residing in the Philippines.

“Indeed, the interaction between our peoples continues to grow on an upward trajectory. This demonstrates that up to this day, our two nations continue to stand side-by-side not only as staunch defenders of freedom and democracy, but as steadfast partners in development and prosperity,” Ambassador Hernandez said.

For his part, Deputy Foreign Minister Yoon highlighted in his congratulatory remarks the special relations between the two countries, saying that the deep trust and friendship between the Philippines and South Korea “is well exemplified by the fact that Korea is the country that accounts for the greatest number of visitors to the Philippines and our trade volume has continued to exceed 10 billion dollars since 2010.”

“I also believe that there is still tremendous potential for the further deepening of our relations. Based on the exchange of our valuable experience and the ever-growing range of issues of common interest, I believe the ties between Korea and the Philippines will indeed expand as we move forward to the future,” he added.

Also present at the event were Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination Suh Jeong-in, Mr. Kim Jo-Won, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries, Mr. Kim Ik-Tae, Director of KIA Motors, and Mr. Kim Dong Wook, Senior Vice President of Hyundai Motors. They, together with Ambassador Hernandez, Madame Ana Hernandez, and Deputy Minister Yoon, led the cake-cutting ceremony.

The event was capped off with remarkable performances from Ms. Leigh Jocson, Ms. Danalee Caguntas, Ms. Mary Joy Lor, Ms. Danica Torres, Ms. Jhonor Leanda, Mr. Rich Valerio, and Mr. Gil Hizon which featured traditional and contemporary Filipino songs.

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Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez delivers his Independence Day message during the diplomatic reception commemorating the 120th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. In the background are Deputy Minister Yoon Sun-gu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea and Madame Ana A. Hernandez.

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