GOVPH

FIRST BALIKBAYANI TOURISM REINTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS HELD IN SOUTH KOREA

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SOUTH KOREA HOLDS ONLINE LEADERS’ FORUM 2020

2020 Leaders’ Forum: Zoomustahan with FilCom Leaders in Korea by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Chargé d’affaires a.i. Christian L. de Jesus

Seoul, 2 November 2020- The Philippine Embassy in Seoul held an online Leaders’ Forum on 31 October 2020, which brought together around seventy (70) leaders of Filipino organizations, religious communities, and migrant center partners in South Korea, and the Philippine Embassy officers and personnel headed by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus.

For many years, the Leaders’ Forum has served as the dialogue platform between the Embassy and Filipino community, through their respective leaders, on consular, labor and other urgent matters. By holding the online meeting, the Embassy was able to fulfill its commitment to regularly consult, inform and engage with the Filipino community despite social distancing measures during the pandemic.

In his address, CDA de Jesus lauded the enabling role of the Filipino community leaders in implementing the programs of the Embassy and for initiating assistance to their respective members on the ground especially during the pandemic. “Hindi po lubos na magagawa ng Embahada ang aming tungkulin kung wala ang ating mga Filipino community leaders,” CDA de Jesus said. Upon his designation earlier this year as Chargé d’affaires, a.i. until the assumption of a new Ambassador, he said that the FilCom leaders were his constant source of information, ideas, friendly advice, and constructive feedback as the Embassy faced new challenges and implemented changes in its frontline services. “Kayo po ang nagsilbing inspirasyon namin, at taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo for your teamwork with the Embassy and for heeding the call of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in coming together to heal as one community in this time of pandemic,” the CDA added.

During the Forum, the detailed presentations and ensuing open forum focused on the latest consular and labor updates, particularly on the Embassy appointment system, Overseas Absentee Voting, entry and exit requirements to or from the Philippines and Korea, anti-illegal recruitment, online reintegration seminars, arrival and quarantine services for returning Filipinos in the Philippines, and the new DOLE-OWWA livelihood grant program for OFW groups. The concept of a FilCom event in December, “Paskong Pinoy 2020” was also presented and unanimously endorsed by the FilCom leaders. Labor Attaché Maya Valderrama and POLO-OWWA Korea led the participatory activities for the attendees.

The FilCom leaders expressed their appreciation to the Embassy for the highly informative and interactive Forum. “Thank you so much for a well-organized Zoomustahan meeting. It has been a notable experience for me. It did not only bring us new experience but also saved us a lot of time especially as we normally need at least 10 hours to travel to and from Seoul,” said Mhar Peji of the Filipino community in Geoje.

In closing, CDA de Jesus advised the participants that he would continue to welcome suggestions and initiatives of the FilCom leaders as new challenges continue to emerge due to the pandemic. “These are extraordinary times, and often, we find that the solutions and answers are neither tailor-made nor easily available. We appeal to you for your continued support and understanding as the Philippine government, in cooperation with the host government, exerts coordinated efforts to address these new challenges,” he said. END

TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE CUISINE: LUTONG BAHAY NI MAMA SITA

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

(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