GOVPH

PH ENVOY TO ROK SPECIAL GUEST AT CHOSUN BUSINESS CONFERENCE

SEOUL, 15 October 2017-Philippine Ambassador to ROK Raul S. Hernandez was a special guest at the Weekly Biz Global Conference 2017 hosted by the Chosun Media Group, a major Korean media outfit, on 12 October 2017 at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul.  The event was attended by Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Seoul, distinguished speakers, members of the business community and media representatives.

This year’s Conference featured the theme “How a nation succeeds: Advice for the Success of J-Nomics”. The Conference formally opened with remarks by Mr. Yongmaan Park, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), which represents approximately 170,000-member companies ranging from big businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in ROK. Mr. Park underscored that sound economic policies coupled with the public’s support would be vital in carrying out J-Nomics, the signature economic agenda of Korean President Moon Jae-in, advocating job creation as the catalyst for growth.

In his remarks as a keynote speaker, Mayor Park Won-Soon of Seoul Metropolitan City, emphasized that for inclusive economic growth to be attained, there should be a balance between wage growth and innovation growth, that would create opportunities not only for big businesses, but also for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to prosper.

The plenary sessions highlighted presentations by renowned economists such as Professor Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2001. In his presentation, Professor Stiglitz espoused a “trickle up approach” emphasizing job creation as the dynamo for growth as opposed to the “trickle down approach” which refers to jobs being generated due to economic growth. Professor Stiglitz commended the Korean government for pursuing a “trickle up approach” focused on spurring job creation to fuel the growth of the economy.

During the Conference, Ambassador Hernandez had the opportunity to meet Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz to convey appreciation for the latter’s insights during the conference. The enlightening presentation delivered by Professor Stiglitz on creating a strong middle class through a “trickle up approach”, is relevant to the Philippines in light of the current administration’s focus on expanding the robust middle class and bolstering the capacity of  MSMEs to become a major driver of the Philippine economy.

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2017 GABAY SA PAMUMUHAY SA KOREA

This is to inform the Filipino public in South Korea that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF), in support of the multicultural families and numerous Filipino migrants in the country, has produced and published the Tagalog version of the 2017 Korean Life Guidebook (2017 Gabay sa Pamumuhay sa Korea).

The Guidebook contains various useful information including issues related to residence after entering the country, support from the government for childbirth and child-rearing, support for employment, and organizations available to support multicultural families and foreign residents. It is an essential tool to help migrants with adapting and settling in South Korea.

The Tagalog version of the Guidebook may be accessed from the Danuri Portal (www.liveinkorea.kr) or through the Danuri app.

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PH EMBASSY IN SEOUL PROMOTES PH CUISINE AT THE 2017 NAMYANGYU SLOW LIFE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Namyangju, 25 September – As part of its efforts to promote Philippine culture, particularly Philippine cuisine, in South Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the Namyangju Slow Life International Festival, an annual food festival that features special food table culture from over the world.

Under this year’s theme “Food, City, and Health,” this year’s festival brought together participants from around 40 countries, including the special participation of wives of ambassadors who introduced dishes and food culture of their respective country at the Dining Share with Global Citizens Food Show, one of the main events of the festival.

 Mme. Maria Ana A. Hernandez, spouse of Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, demonstrated to the audience of the Food Show how to cook the popular Filipino dish kare-kare, or braised ox tail in peanut sauce, and ginataang mais, or sticky rice and sweet corn with coconut milk.

“As most Koreans are already familiar with the Philippine adobo, I would like to introduce our kare-kare to the Korean audience this time,” Mme. Hernandez explained when asked why she chose to prepare kare-kare.

After the cooking demonstration, some members of the audience were invited to taste the kare-kare and ginataang mais. The festival organizers also served calamansi juice and fresh lumpia to the audience. The Embassy’s participation is timely as for many of the audience, it was their first time to taste Philippine food.

Apart from Mme. Hernandez, the Mesdames of the Embassies of Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Slovakia, Spain, and Vietnam also participated in the said Food Show which was held at the festival’s Gastronomy Tourism Experience Pavilion.

Organized by the Namyangju Slow Life International Festival Organizing Committee and hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Rural Affairs, this year’s festival, which ran for 5 days starting 22 September 2017, promoted healthy eating and an eco-friendly lifestyle.

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