GOVPH

EMBASSY CELEBRATES NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH WITH ENHANCEMENT SEMINAR FOR FILIPINO TEACHERS

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez (front, center) poses with Professor Stewart Gray (first row, left), Third Secretary and Vice Consul Ella Karina Mitra (front row, right), and the 40 participants after the closing ceremony of the two-day seminar titled ‘Teaching English Skills Enhancement and Training Seminar for Filipino teachers in South Korea’ which was held at the Rizal Hall of the Embassy chancery on 17 and 18 March 2018.

Seoul, 19 March 2018 – The Embassy of the Philippines in Seoul, in line with its celebration of National Women’s Month, organized a two-day seminar for Filipino English language teachers in South Korea on 17 and 18 March 2018 at the Rizal Hall of the Embassy chancery.

This initiative also forms part of the Embassy’s efforts to enhance the welfare of Filipino marriage immigrants in the country – considered to be one of the most vulnerable sectors in the Korean society. With over 10,000 Filipina marriage migrants in Korea, and with the number still growing exponentially, the Embassy recognizes that there is a real and undeniable need to prioritize their well-being.

The seminar, titled “Teaching English Skills Enhancement and Training Seminar,” is principally aimed at building the teaching capacities of Filipina marriage immigrants who are employed at hagwons or language academies. Further, recognizing that marriage immigrants have limited access to quality employment in the country, this seminar also aims to make them more competitive in their field. This was underscored by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez in his closing remarks.

Ambassador Hernandez also informed the 40 participants that this initiative was born out of the Embassy’s desire to upskill Filipino teachers in specific sectors of English language education so they can be more effective in their craft and ultimately raise their level of participation in the country.

He also lauded the participants for their contribution in the country and for their devotion in the improvement of the Korean society.

“I would also like to commend all of you who, in your own ways, contribute to the advancement of multiculturalism in Korea. The important and many roles you play - both in your family and in the community - underscore much of your aspiration to raise your participation and integration into this society. Whether it be through teaching, you have all exhibited great fortitude in promoting a social environment in which cultural diversity is recognized and respected.” Ambassador Hernandez said.

The two-day seminar included modules that introduced elements of the English language, teaching fundamentals, and culture-based approach in teaching the English language. The participants of this seminar also underwent effective language and teaching training through workshops and feedback sessions.

Dr. Ian Done Ramos and Professor Aaron Jones of University of Suwon and Professor Stewart Gray of the Hanguk University of Foreign Studies, all TESOL professors, conducted the seminar.

(clockwise from upper left) 1. 40 teachers, mostly Filipino marriage immigrants currently teaching English at language academies, participated in the two-day seminar; 2. Dr. Ian Done Ramos, President of KOTESOL, an association of TESOL teachers in South Korea, and a professor at University of Suwon, taught the modules on accent neutralization and English grammar; 3. Professor Aaron Jones, also a TESOL professor at University of Suwon, conducted the lesson on teaching methods and strategies fitting Korean culture; and 4. Professor Stewart Gray, a TESOL professor at the Hanguk University of Foreign Studies, taught the 3^rd module on English conversation.

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PH ENVOY TO KOREA AND MAYOR ROMMEL ARNADO DISCUSS MODERNIZATION OF THE PH AGRICULTURAL SECTOR THROUGH FARM MECHANIZATION

Seoul, 14 March 2018 - Mayor Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte, paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez on 12 March 2018 at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to discuss the modernization of the Philippine agricultural sector through enhanced collaboration with the Korean National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup) to propagate farm mechanization in rural communities in the PH.

Ambassador Hernandez welcomed the keen interest of Mayor Rommel Arnado to look into Korea’s technologically advanced agricultural machineries for possible adaptation in the Philippines to boost agricultural productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and spur economic growth in farming communities in the PH.

Ambassador Hernandez also underscored the importance of expanding agricultural cooperatives in the PH and developing them into a major driver of growth for the Philippine economy, citing the success of Nonghyup. Nonghyup transformed itself into a formidable pillar of the Korean economy through its wide network of agricultural cooperatives, excellent distribution and sales channels, and profitable banking and agricultural insurance operations.

Ambassador Hernandez also expressed hope that the forthcoming visit of a 180-member contingent, comprised of CEOs from KAMICO’s member companies to Cebu and Bohol from 27 June to 01 July 2018, would lead to enhanced Philippine-Korea partnership in the mechanization of the Philippine agricultural sector.

Ambassador Hernandez further conveyed to Mayor Arnado that the Philippine Department of Agriculture is looking at the possibility of forging an agreement with KAMICO in strengthening agricultural cooperatives in the Philippines so that Nonhgyup’s successful agricultural cooperative network could be replicated in the Philippines. Mayor Arnado, in response, affirmed their interest to contribute to the spread of farm mechanization in the Philippines by forging a strong and enduring collaborative partnership with KAMICO.

Mayor Arnado also expressed hope that his landmark program entitled “From Arms to Farms: Walking through the Paths of Peace” could also be replicated in other conflict areas in the Philippines as the program successfully transformed the lives of former Moro rebels in the municipality of Kauswagan by providing livelihood opportunities in agriculture.

For advocating a socio-economic approach in bringing about conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction in the municipality of Kauswagan, Mayor Arnado won international acclaim for his peacebuilding efforts by being awarded the Bogota Peace Prize by the global organization United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) in Colombia in 2016. The UCLG is a network of over 175 associations of local and regional governments in 140 countries. Mayor Arnado’s program also won the Gawad Galing Pook Award in 2014.

Mayor Arnado also cited the need for the Philippines to attain food security and expressed hope that more mayors would prioritize the development of agriculture in their respective municipalities and that the national government would agree to provide subsidies to small farmers to boost agricultural productivity. Mayor Arnado emphasized that more focus should be placed by the government on developing organic agriculture into a major export earner for the Philippines as only 5 percent of the Philippine land area is being utilized for organic agriculture.

At the conclusion of the courtesy call, Ambassador Hernandez expressed hope that the visit of Mayor Arnado and his delegation would pave the way for the Philippines to be able to identify appropriate agricultural equipment in Korea that could be adapted and locally manufactured in the Philippines to improve agricultural productivity in rural communities.

Mayor Arnado was joined by Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang, Mr. Philip Kim, President of FITCOREA Trading Philippines Inc. and concurrent member of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Cooperative (KAMICO), former Undersecretary Dante Delima of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and representatives of the DA and agricultural trading companies such as FITCorea and Julimon’s Enterprises during the courtesy call.

Aside from the courtesy call, Mayor Arnado and his delegation visited the KAMICO Cheonan Office, Kukje Machinery (manufacturer of the Branson tractor), Asia Technology, LeeHwa Industry (fabricator of the corn milling machine) and Hanil Company (manufacturer of tractor related support equipment) during their visit to Korea.

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PH CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE ASEAN-KOREA CENTRE COUNCIL

PH Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez (6^th from left), outgoing Chair of the 10^th Annual Council Meeting of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), joins AKC Secretary General Kim Young-sun (5^th from left); Mr. Gerard Ho, the current Council Chair and Council Director of Singapore (4th from left); Director General Ryu Jeong-hyun of MOFA's South Asian and Pacific Affairs and ROK's Council Director (6th from right); and other Council Directors of the ASEAN Member States for a group photo. Photo Credit: ASEAN-Korea Centre

SEOUL, 28 February 2017–Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, Council Director of the Philippines, concluded his successful chairmanship of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) Council during the 10^th Annual Meeting of the AKC which was held on 26 to 27 February 2018 at the Paradise Hotel in Busan, South Korea.

Amb. Hernandez, before turning over the Chairmanship of the AKC Council to Mr. Gerard Ho, Council Director of Singapore, conveyed his appreciation to the other Council Directors for their hard work and to AKC Secretary General, Amb. Kim Young-sun, for his able leadership. He also congratulated the AKC for successfully implementing the programs for FY2017, all of which were pursued in support of AKC’s vision of building a lasting and genuine partnership between ASEAN and Korea.

In his opening remarks, Amb. Hernandez also outlined the achievements of the AKC during his term as Council Chair. For FY2017, Amb. Hernandez reported that the AKC was able to organize a total of 20 programs, comprised of 47 projects, under the Chapters of Trade and Investment, Culture and Tourism, and Public Relations and Information Services. Some of these projects included the celebration of the Month of ASEAN in May, the ASEAN Culinary Festival in June, the ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop in July, the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership in August, the ASEAN Trade Fair in October, and the ASEAN Connectivity Forum in November.

All these programs were organized and pursued in accordance with the three main directions the AKC set for FY2017, which included greater focus on Culture and Tourism programs; sustainable development; and strengthening of capacity-building element throughout its programs.

The Council Meeting also discussed and approved the AKC’s Work Programs and Budget for FY2018. Under the collective theme titled “Connecting People, Sharing Prosperity,” the AKC will be organizing projects under four specific focus areas which are: Prosperity and Industry 4.0; Sustainable Development; People-Centered Community-Building; and People-to-People Exchange.

ROK’s Council Director and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General for South Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau Ryu Jeong-hyun also took the opportunity to brief the Council Directors of President Moon Jae-in’s New Southern Policy. According to DG Ryu, the New Southern Policy aims to bring Korea’s partnership with ASEAN to the highest level. In line with this new policy, the AKC is expected to play a more central role in strengthening the partnership between ASEAN and Korea in the coming years.

The Council Directors also expressed its collective appreciation to Sec. Gen. Kim, who will be ending his term in March 2018, for his dedication and leadership in bringing the AKC to another level during his term as the Secretary General of the AKC. Amb. Lee Hyuk, former Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines (2012) and Vietnam (2016), will replace Sec. Gen. Kim.

The AKC Council is the Centre’s highest-decision making body. It is made up of directors appointed by the 10 ASEAN member states (AMS) and Korea. The AKC is a Seoul-based intergovernmental institution established by the AMS and Korea in 2009 in order to increase trade volume, accelerate investment flows, invigorate tourism, and enrich cultural exchanges between ASEAN and Korea.

Council Directors of the ASEAN Member States and the ROK, together with their respective representatives to the AKC Executive Board, and officials and members of the AKC Secretariat at the 10th Annual Council Meeting of the AKC which was held on 26 to 27 February 2018 at the Paradise Hotel in Busan. Photo Credit: ASEAN-Korea Centre

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