PCG New York recognizes achievements of Writer, Choregrapher, Chef Reynaldo
“Ronnie” Alejandro
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4 March 2009—The Philippine Consulate General recognized the life achievements of cultural artiste
REYNALDO ALEJANDRO (middle), leading exponent of Filipino arts and culture during his over 4 decades in
America. The PCG’s Dakilang Pilipino Award was bestowed on him by Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong
(third from left) on 10 February at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center, New York. The Consul General was
joined by community leaders and friends of Mr. Alejandro in paying tribute to his outstanding work as
choreographer, author/writer, and chef. The event also launched Mr. Alejandro’s three new coffee table books:
Authentic Philippine Recipes, Fiesta! Fiesta!, and Manila Bay, The Crossroads of Asia. (In photo: Dep.
ConGen Millie Thomeczek (extreme left) and Fil-Comm leaders (l-r) Vivian Cruz of Assumption Alumni
Association, Marya Coburn, actress and philanthropist, Filipino Reporter publisher Bert Pelayo and Rutgers
University Assistant Professor Allan Isaac. END
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Vice President De Castro visits Xiamen
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Affirming Strong RP-Xiamen Ties
4 March 2009 - Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro conducted a short but very successful visit to Xiamen
City in China’s southeast Fujian Province from 16 to 18 February 2009. One of the major highlights of the visit
was the bilateral meeting between the Vice President and Hon. He Lifeng, Secretary of the CPC Committee of
Xiamen City and Chairman of Standing Committee of the Xiamen Municipal People’s Congress. Ambassador
Sonia Brady, Undersecretary Lucille Ortile, Consul General Raul Hernandez and Vice Consul Ambrosio
Enciso III were present in the meeting.
During a meeting held on 16 February 2009, the Vice President said that the potential for more RP-Xiamen
exchanges remain largely untapped and both sides should work hard so that relations will bloom with vigor
for the benefit of both Filipinos and Chinese.
The Vice President noted that Philippine investments in Xiamen are numerous, doing very well and even
expanding. He therefore asked the Party Secretary to encourage more Xiamen businessmen to invest in the
Philippines and buy Filipino products.
For his part, Party Secretary He emphasized that the Vice President’s visit to Xiamen will provide the impetus
for stronger bilateral relations. The Party Secretary also expressed hope that the Philippine government would
provide a healthy business environment to Xiamen investors in the Philippines so that they would be able to
achieve the same success Philippine investments are enjoying in Xiamen.
After the meeting with the Party Secretary, the Vice President was briefed on Xiamen’s low-cost housing
program and was taken on a tour of Wanjing Apartment complex in a suburb of Xiamen Island. The Vice
President expressed appreciation for the chance to learn from Xiamen’s experience in providing housing to
low-income bracket families and said he would emulate whatever is applicable to the housing program in the
Philippines that he himself oversees.
Promoting Trade and Investment with RP to Xiamen Business Leaders
On 17 February, the Vice President attended a dinner reception with about 100 businessmen, from the top
companies in Southern Fujian involved in real estate, construction, infrastructure, agri-business,
manufacturing, trading, mining, shipping and logistics.
The Philippine business delegation was comprised of prominent Filipino-Chinese businessmen. These
include Dr. Lucio Tan, Chairman of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies; Mr. Hans Sy, President of SM Prime
Holdings; Mr. Harry Tan, Director of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies; Mr. Larry Chan, Chief Executive
Officer of Liwayway (China) Company Limited; Mr. Joseph Lim owner of Solid Group Incorporated, and
officers of the Federation Of Filipino Chinese Chambers Of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI).
In a well-received and much-praised message delivered to the businessmen, the Vice President spoke
about the common history of the Philippines and China, particularly Xiamen and Fujian Province. He noted
that 90 percent of Chinese-Filipinos trace their roots in Fujian. He informed businessmen that the Philippines
has survived the initial blow of the financial crisis being felt all over the world, describing the Philippine
economy as resilient. The Vice President declared that despite all the dire predictions, the Philippine
economy remained afloat last year, and continues to do so. He added that the Philippines has abundant
opportunities for growth and urged the business leaders to invest in housing, mining, food processing,
agribusiness, tourism facilities and development of retirement havens, information technology and e-
services, and energy.
He also encouraged Chinese enterprises to import more Philippine fresh fruits, marine products, minerals,
automotive parts, and electronic components.
Groundbreaking of the Project Eton Center
In the morning of 18 February 2009, the Vice President led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Eton
Center, a multi-million Yuan project to be undertaken by Lucio Tan’s Eton Properties Ltd. When finished, the
Eton Center will boast of high-end office spaces and even a serviced apartment. It is envisioned to become
the urban landmark of Xiamen. The project site has a total land area of almost 22,000 sq. m.
Fellowship with the FilCom in Fujian
On 18 February 2009, About 120 members of the Filipino community, mostly business executives,
entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, technicians, students from various schools, office staff, artists, and
entertainers met with Vice President Noli De Castro at the Consulate premises. The meeting, personally
requested by the Vice President, was organized by the Consulate in cooperation with the Filipino Association
in Xiamen (FAX).
In his message, Consul General Hernandez thanked the Vice President for taking time out of his very busy
schedule to visit Xiamen and meet with the Filipino community. He stressed that though the Filipino
community under the consulate’s jurisdiction is relatively small compared to other Posts, their contributions
to promoting the interest of the Philippines through their professionalism and support of the Post’s programs
are laudable.
The Vice President commended, for his part, the “small but terrible” Filipino community in Xiamen and all
across Fujian and Jiangxi provinces for being productive citizens of the country. The Vice President also took
the opportunity to brief the community on the various programs the government is undertaking for the welfare
of our kababayans abroad, e.g. housing program, loan assistance program, campaign against illegal
recruitment and many others.
FAX officers led by their President Mr. Ramil Collera presented the Vice President with a token of their
appreciation for his visit to the FilCom. The Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS) also presented the
Vice President with a gift. MXIS is the only Filipino-run school in China.
After the brief program, the Filipinos had a photo opportunity with the Vice President. Before proceeding to the
airport, a simple merienda was served and everyone, including the Vice President, had a good time enjoying
each others’ company and Filipino food under the balmy Xiamen spring weather, a fitting closing activity for a
very successful visit. END.
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Veterans Breakfast Forum held at the Consulate
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04 March 2009 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles held a flag ceremony and breakfast forum
on 23 February for Filipino veterans in celebration of the passage of the stimulus package including the
recognition and benefits for Filipino World War II veterans.
The event was attended by more than 20 Filipino veterans and their supporters, including the Filipino-
American Service Group Inc (FASGI) led by Executive Director Susan E. Dilkes.
The Consulate invited Lead Veteran’s Claims Analysts of the California Department of Veterans Affairs
Alberto M. Alpasan, Jr. to discuss how the veterans could go about applying for their benefits claims.
During the forum, the Consulate and Mr. Alpasan called on the veterans to start filing their claims either with
the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in the United States Embassy in Manila or the Los
Angeles District Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs, before the deadline ends on 16 February 2010.
FASGI vowed to assist them in filing their claims.
Mr. Alpasan said that the application would have to be done in person by living veterans using VA Form 21-
4138. However, he said that the Department of Veterans Affairs will conduct outreach services for those who
are no longer able to appear personally at its office for medical reasons. Only the widows of those veterans
who were able to apply for the claim after 17 February 2009 before passing away, may continue following up
the benefit claims for them.
For more information and assistance on the benefit claims, the veterans in Los Angeles may contact the
following:
* Mr. Alberto Alpasan, Jr., Lead Veteran’s Claims Analysts, Los Angeles District Office, California Department
of Veterans Affairs, Suite 5203, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Tel. No. (213) 620-2755; and
* Ms. Susan E. Dilkes, Executive Director, Filipino-American Service Group, Inc., 135 North Park View St., Los
Angeles, California 90026.
Claimants may also request the assistance of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles at Tel. No.
(213) 637-3010. END
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New Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt opens its doors to the public
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04 March 2009—The newly established Consulate General of the Philippines in the City of Frankfurt am Main
(Germany) has commenced consular service operations at its temporary premises on Friedrichstrasse 10-
12.
The new Consulate General replaces the Philippine Embassy’s extension office in Bonn that was closed late
last year, pursuant to the DFA’s rationalization program.
The opening of the new Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main is expected to facilitate the delivery of
services to overseas Filipinos living in the German federal states of Hesse, North Rhine Westphalia,
Tnuringia, Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland Palatinate and Saarland. Other German federal states are being
serviced by the Philippine Embassy in Berlin and the Consulate General in Hamburg.
Consul General Romeo Manalo, a career diplomat who heads the newly established Post, met with leaders
of Filipino community organizations in the run up to the opening to discuss cooperative endeavours and to
assure them of the Philippine Government’s commitment to the welfare of Filipinos overseas. They in turn
expressed their satisfaction over Manila’s decision to establish a Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main,
which has the added distinction of being Germany’s commercial and financial hub.
The sentiments of Filipino community leaders were echoed by Philippine exhibitors who recently participated
in two trade fairs in Frankfurt.
The Philippines and Germany formalized relations in April 1955 and opened their respective Embassies in
each other’s capital the year thereafter. After the reunification of Germany, the Philippine Embassy transferred
to Berlin. END
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Philippine Embassy conducts lecture on RP-ROK relations
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04 March 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Luis T. Cruz reported to the Department that in preparation
for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea
on 03 March, he conducted a lecture on the two countries’ relations to approximately 100 representatives from
various Korean organizations, embassies and Filipino groups at the Hamilton Hotel in Seoul.
Entitled “Philippines-Korea Friendship Year: Celebrating 60 Years of Partnership,” the breakfast lecture
focused on the development of bilateral ties between the two countries, their potential direction, and the
activities that the Philippine Embassy would undertake to celebrate the milestone this year.
“A sturdy alliance that had military cooperation as a backdrop in its incipient stages is now blessed by an
active collaboration in a number of fields including political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and
development cooperation,” said Ambassador Cruz.
“Philippines-Korea relations are vibrant, dynamic, and mutually beneficial… In both good times and bad, our
countries have stood by and provided invaluable support to each other,” he added.
Bilateral relations between the two countries started on March 3, 1949 when the Philippines became the fifth
country to recognize the newly established Republic of Korea, which was inaugurated six months earlier on
August 15, 1948.
With the outbreak of the Korean War a year later, the Philippines joined a 16-nation coalition under the
auspices of the United Nations Command (UNC) to help South Korea defend itself from the invasion of the
communist North. The Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea landed in Busan on September 19, 1950 and
became the third UNC ground combat unit to extend military assistance after the United States and the United
Kingdom.
Among those who took part in the war was former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos.
Current relations now encompass a wide area of cooperation. According to initial estimates by the Korea
International Trade Association, bilateral trade from January to November 2008 reached US$7.67 billion; with
RP exports at $2.95 billion and ROK exports at $4.72 billion. South Korea is a consistent top trading partner of
the Philippines and source of Foreign Direct Investments.
In 2008, around 611,000 Koreans visited the Philippines making South Korea the Philippines’ top source of
tourist arrivals for three years running. South Korea now accounts for 19 percent of the total RP inbound
followed by U.S. with 18 percent and Japan with 11 percent. South Korea is likewise the country’s top source
of foreign students and retirees.
“Our partnership has encompassed so many areas in both bilateral and multilateral fronts that the only way to
move forward is to further deepen and widen our cooperation,” explained Amb. Cruz.
“This forward-looking approach is what we also hope to capture in the 60th anniversary of our relations: a
close friendship buoyed by history and embraced by potential,” he concluded.
Among the activities in South Korea that the Philippine Embassy would spearhead this year are the launching
of the Philippines-Korea Commemorative Stamps on March 3; the launching of “The Forgotten War,” a film
about the Filipino soldiers who were deployed to South Korea during the Korean War, on April 14; the
unveiling of the Philippine marker at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan on May 28; and the “One
Philippines” event on May 30-31, which will convert the plaza in front of the Seoul City Hall into a grand
complex exhibiting Philippine culture, trade, history and relations with South Korea.
The lecture was organized by the Institute for East Asia Peace Studies, an academe-led organization that has
conducted past seminars on pressing international issues, such as South Korea’s territorial disputes with a
neighboring country.
Approximately 100,000 Koreans live in the Philippines while around 60,000 Filipinos reside in South Korea
as students, workers, missionaries or spouses of Korean nationals. END
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25 Overseas Filipino Workers from Incheon Graduate from Community Center
Korean Language Course
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4 March 2009 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department that twenty-two Overseas
Filipino Workers based in Incheon graduated from the one-year Korean Language Course on 22 February
2009. The course was organized by the Pupyong Community Welfare Center for Overseas Filipino Workers
living in Incheon City and initially enrolled more than 160 Filipinos.
In his inspirational message, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz praised the graduates for
their commitment to learning the Korean language which would help them greatly in their respective
workplaces and in their day-to-day interactions in Korean society. “In addition, your knowledge of the Korean
language will open business opportunities for you when you return to the Philippines,” he added. Koreans
are the leading tourists in the Philippines for the last three years.
The 22 OFWs comprised the first batch of graduates from the Korean language course. With the success of
the program, it is envisioned that more OFWs in Incheon will take the opportunity to learn the local language
by enrolling in the course. END
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Ambassador Lhuillier hosts Farewell Lunch for Outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador
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04 March 2009—Philippine Ambassador to Italy and Dean of the ESCAP Group of Ambassadors in Rome
Philippe J. Lhuillier hosted a farewell lunch in honor of Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Nam at
Ristorante Mirabelle, Hotel Splendide Royal.
The group is composed of ambassadors from ESCAP member countries accredited to the Italian Republic,
which include the Philippines, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,
Thailand, China, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Malaysia, Iran, Myanmar and Indonesia.
A monthly luncheon-meeting is being hosted, on rotation basis, by each member of the ESCAP Group of
Ambassadors to exchange views on matters of mutual concern and to further strengthen cooperation and
friendship among the countries they represent. END
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Tel Aviv PE attends Western Union’s grand lottery draw organized for OFWs in Israel
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04 March 2009 – PhilippineAmbassador to Israel Petronila P. Garcia was guest of honor at the Western
Union’s Grand Lottery draw in Jerusalem. Western Union organized the occasion for the benefit of the
thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel. They said the event is a simple gesture of their
appreciation for OFWs who remained loyal customers of the company.
Mr. Yoel Naveh, Director of Israel Postal Bank; Mr. Nogay Kanpolat, Western Union Regional Manager; Mr.
Haim Mizaki, District Manager (Jerusalem-region) of Israel Post company; and Ms. Vardit Katz-Ezra and Ms.
Galit Sherm, Marketing Managers were also present during the event.
Late last year, Western Union representatives paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador and pledged support
for the Embassy’s various activities for 2009. END
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Philippine Honorary Consul in Tallinn, Estonia assumes post
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04 March 2009 – Mr. Meelis Virkebau, Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Textiles and Garments
Association, proudly took his oath as Philippine Honorary Consul in Tallinn, Estonia before Philippine
Ambassador to Sweden Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson in the country’s capital on 20 February 2009.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the sidelines of Ambassador Collinson’s official visit to Tallinn and
Narva, during which she joined other Heads of Mission in honoring the invitation of Estonian President
Toomas Hendrik Ilves to commemorate Estonia’s 91st Independence Day.
A simple dignified reception was held after the oath-taking ceremony, which was attended by officials from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the City of Tallinn as well as private sector institutions such as the Estonian
Association of Travel Agents, the Estonian Trade Council, and the Estonian Academy of Arts.
During the reception, Mr. Virkebau expressed gratitude for having been given the distinct honor to represent
the Philippines’ interest in Estonia. He also aired his optimism at the immediate opportunities for
strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of tourism and cultural and academic exchange.
Mr. Virkebau assumes his post as Philippine Honorary Consul armed with extensive working experience in
the Estonian business and academic sectors. His appointment was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary
Alberto Romulo on 06 December 2008. END
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Oslo PE commemorates 23rd anniversary of the Edsa I People Power Revolution
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04 March 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to Norway Elizabeth P. Buensuceso led officers and staff of the
Philippine Embassy in Oslo in commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the EDSA I People Power Revolution
on 25 February at the Embassy Chancery. After singing the Philippine National Anthem and reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag, Ambassador Buensuceso gave a short speech and reflected on
the theme of this year’s celebration.
There was also a short slideshow presentation of the events that transpired 23 years ago. Each staff was
then asked to share and re-live their EDSA I experiences. Afterwards, Embassy officers and staff capped the
event with a Filipino breakfast salu-salo. END
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