Diplomatic Milestone with 11 Countries celebrated with “Pagdiriwang para sa mga
Kaibigan”
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7 July 2009 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched today the celebration of the 2009 International
Friendship Week (IFW) dubbed, “Pagdiriwang Para sa mga Kaibigan”, with a photo exhibit and a musical
revue.
Photos of key bilateral events and people-to-people interactions gathered by the embassies of honoree-
countries, Malacanang and Philippine missions in Ankara, Bangkok, Islamabad, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kuala
Lumpur, Kuwait, Manado, New Delhi, Ottawa, Singapore, Riyadh, Seoul, Toronto and Vancouver were featured
in the photo exhibit that opened the celebrations held at the DFA lobby.
The DFA, with the Foreign Service Institute, brought together a collection that presented the depth and warmth
achieved in 60 years of bilateral bonds with Canada, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Thailand
and Turkey; 50 years with Malaysia; 40 years with Singapore; and 30 years with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
“Indeed though years have passed, that spark remains between our countries and peoples, continuously
defying the challenges of place and time. For true friendship cannot be bounded by borders or limited by time
zones. Rather, it permeates humanity and transcends nationality, regardless of longitudes and latitudes,”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Romulo said in brief remarks at the opening of the exhibit.
The opening was followed by a musical revue held at the Department’s Bulwagang Mabini. The musical
talents of the DFA Chorale and representatives from honoree-countries, Ms. Chae Kyeng-Heui, Dr. Faisal
Wadood and Ms. Shilpa Sudhakar, wowed the audience during the one-hour musical presentation. Included
in the repertoire were music from the Philippines, music and dance that bind and underline the message of
world peace and harmony.
“I make a fervent wish that the Philippines’ strong relations with Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan,
Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey will become even stronger and go
beyond the years of diplomatic relations that we have achieved,” Secretary Romulo said.
A showcase of country delicacies from the honoree-countries capped the event with a gustatory cultural
experience.
The International Friendship Week is an event to be commemorated annually under Presidential Proclamation
No. 1724. END
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Phnom Penh Celebrates 111th Philippine Independence
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7 July 2009 – The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh celebrated the 111th anniversary of Philippine
Independence with a flag-raising ceremony in the morning of June 13 at the Embassy grounds and hosted a
diplomatic reception at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel InterContinental in Phnom Penh in the evening of the
same day.
Topt photo shows the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy. Right photo shows Philippine Ambassador
to Cambodia Noe Wong and Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia Cham
Prasidh offer a toast during the reception
Atty. Mia Gentugaya and Mr Ruel Dantes (Top photo), International ballroom competition champions, celebrate
the tango while Filipino community volunteers perform the Tinikling (right photo).
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10th International Film Festival Hannover calls on young filmmakers for entries
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The Philippine Embassy in Berne informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that organizers of the 10th
International Film Festival Hannover entitled “Up & Coming,” which will take place from November 19 to 22 in
Hanover, invite young filmmakers to submit their work to compete in the festival.
The festival is an international competition for the young generation of filmmakers in the age range between 7
and 27. It comprises a German competition and an international competition. It is open for all genres, lengths
and formats: experimental, documentary, animation, feature films, short or long.
The festival is intended as a forum for the exchange of experiences between young filmmakers, the audience,
professional filmmakers, producers and media educators. Festival languages are English and German.
A renowned jury will award three films for the German Young Film Makers Award 2009 and three films for the
International Young Film Makers Award 2009. These prizes serve as initiatives for participants to the Up &
Coming Film Festival.
The deadline for submission is 1 August 2009. For more details on the Festival, please visit www.up-coming.
de. END
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Ambassador Gaa Exhorts Filcom to engage in Higher Level of Involvement
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07 July 2009 - Keynoting the 2009 Independence Gala Ball held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C.
on June 20, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa exhorted the Filipino community in the
United States to engage in higher level of involvement in the Philippines to best demonstrate their continued
commitment to their motherland.
According to Ambassador Gaa, these include registering as an overseas absentee voter for Filipinos and
reacquiring Filipino citizenship for naturalized Americans, among others.
With an estimated four million Filipinos in America, Ambassador Gaa stressed the vital role that Filipinos
contribute to the growth of the United States and the Philippines and emphasized the strong democratic
friendship that binds the two countries.
Mr. Ador Carreon, President of Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC), Inc.; and Victor
Emmanuel Lorica, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PAFC presented a token of appreciation to
Ambassador Gaa for building a strong partnership between the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino
community in the United States during the event.
The Philippine Independence Day Gala Ball is an annual event organized by the Philippine American
Foundation for Charities (PAFC), Inc.; Filipino-American Associations in the Greater Metro DC area; and
supported by the Philippine Embassy as part of the month-long commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of
Philippine Independence. It featured various cultural presentations and dance performances.
Scot Marciel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia and Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs, was the guest
of honor. (Photos courtesy of Mr. Eric Lachica) END
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Filipino Film Director Brillante Mendoza serves as Member of the Jury at the 62nd
Film Festival in Locarno
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The Philippine Embassy in Berne reported that the city of Locarno, the summer capital of Switzerland, will
serve as host to the 62nd Film Festival Locarno from 5-15 August 2009 and provide a distinctive venue for a
major international film competition.
Every year in August, around 180,000 cinema-goers; 1,100 journalists; and 3,400 professionals converge on
the small Swiss-Italian town of Locarno, right in the heart of Europe, which becomes the world capital of
international cinema for eleven days.
This year, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, grand winner in the Best Director category in the recently
concluded 2009 Cannes International Film Festival, will serve as member of the jury for the Filmmakers of the
Present Competition for the 62nd Film Festival Locarno. Mendoza was discovered in Locarno in 2005 with his
film Masahista which won the Golden Leopard in the Video Competition.
The Locarno Festival has made an asset of its unique backdrop as it is geographically located at the
crossroads of three major regions of Switzerland, capturing audiences which represent three major European
cultures (Italian, German and French). Its long-standing tradition of openness and dialogue has made it an
ideal platform for the promotion of national cinemas from Europe and the world over, from South America to
Asia.
Locarno knows no borders, whether geographic, thematic or stylistic, and via its dozen different sections
welcomes all kinds of films, and all kinds of formats.
Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Maria Theresa P. Lazaro said that the choice of Brillante Mendoza as a
member of the jury in one of Locarno’s Film Festival category is a recognition of the Filipino’s artistry, creativity,
and technical mastery. END
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Sichuan Earthquake Anniversary
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06 July 2009 - Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady (left) met with Chinese President Hu
Jintao at Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County in China’s Sichuan Province on May 12, which marked last year’s
massive earthquake that left at least 87,000 people dead or missing. Ambassador Brady joined a select
group of 20 ambassadors from 20 countries and representatives from international organizations who
attended the ceremony presided by President Hu. Ambassador Brady echoed President Hu’s remarks at the
event that reconstruction efforts in the affected areas have made important progress, and the earthquake
survivors and their families have started a new life in relocation areas. She also supported President Hu’s call
to enhance international communication and cooperation in disaster reduction, prevention and international
humanitarian aid. END
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Philippine Embassy in Doha participates in 7th Diplomatic Bazaar
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6 July 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Isaias F. Begonia reported that the Social Development Center
(SDC) – Qatar Foundation organized the 7th Diplomatic Bazaar on 17-19 May 2009 at the Qatar International
Exhibition Center under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned.
The bazaar’s official opening was attended by the wife of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sheikha Noor bint Abdul Aziz Al Subaie.
The booths at this year’s bazaar, which has the theme “Sense and Beauty”, showcased different specialties of
the participating countries like hand-woven fabrics, food stuff, or a skill which is known only in those countries.
Around 41 embassies based in Doha, including the Philippine Embassy, 35 companies and 30 families have
put up booths at the Diplomatic Bazaar.
The Philippine Embassy booth featured accessories with semi-precious stones from Mindanao, parols
(Christmas lanterns), abaca-made designs, and Natasha products.
Aside from the goods and products displayed by the participating embassies and companies, the SDC booth
displayed handicrafts, accessories, perfumes, Gulf abayas, desserts and other goods made by 30
underprivileged families the center is assisting.
Proceeds of the event went to the SDC’s “Persistent Even If Small” Project. END
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Ambassador Ortega hosts SAFESEA Ambassador’s Luncheon Meeting
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06 July 2009 - Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Cristina G. Ortega hosted the last South Asia, Far East,
Southeast Asia (SAFESEA) Group of Ambassadors’ luncheon meeting, under her chairmanship, on 30 June.
Mr. Paul Dujardin, CEO-Artistic Director and Mr. Jan Van Alphen, Scientific and Curatorial Director, both of
BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, were the group’s guests and speakers.
Mr. Dujardin and Mr. Van Alphen talked about the planned cultural exhibition in BOZAR for the ASEM Summit in
October 2010 to be hosted by the Belgian government. Mr. Dujardin focused on the background surrounding
the project, its significance, the benefits and opportunities it offers for Brussels and the whole Asian region
including Australia. Mr. Van Alphen, on the other hand, discussed in more detail the concept of the global
project. The SAFESEA ambassadors engaged in a friendly discussion with Mr. Alphen and Mr. Dujardin. The
main concern of the SAFESEA Ambassadors is how to pinpoint the right exhibit items and participation in
relation to the theme “Faith and Trade” to show and establish the contacts and relations between Europe and
Asia as far back as “the age of antiquity” to the present.
Other prominent guests and speakers invited to the SAFESEA luncheon meetings during Ambassador Ortega’
s chairmanship were as follows: Mr. Jacques Barrot, Vice President of the European Commission and
concurrently the Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security; Mrs. Benita Ferrero Waldner, EC
Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy; and Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, Prime Minister
of Belgium. These officials briefed the SAFESEA Ambassadors on various EU and Belgian topics that were of
interest to the region such as migration, international trade, global economy, Lisbon Treaty and the future of
Europe, and development cooperation.
During Ambassador Ortega’s chairmanship, the SAFESEA Ambassadors bid farewell to eight outgoing
ambassadors and were also given 8 souvenir trays as farewell gifts to them.
Ambassador Ortega turned over the chairmanship of SAFESEA to Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar of
Singapore at the end of the luncheon meeting.
SAFESEA is composed of 23 Ambassadors from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
China (Embassy and Mission) India, Indonesia, Japan (Embassy and Mission), Korea, Laos, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
Vietnam. END
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“Parisukat” Photo Exhibit opens at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong
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06 July 2009 - The Pinoy Photographers Club of Hong Kong (PPC-HK), in coordination with the Philippine
Consulate General in Hong Kong, inaugurated “Parisukat”, the first of a series of events in June 2009 to
celebrate the Philippines 111th year of Independence.
“Parisukat” was officially launched on June 4 at the Consulate premises. It is PPC-HK’s third photo exhibit in
Hong Kong that showcases the collections of its 30 artist-photographers and highlights their foray into the use
of motion, landscapes and human subjects in their artwork, displayed in a square format.
Consul General Claro S. Cristobal graced the occasion as guest speaker and associated the dynamism and
artistry of PPC-HK’s members, alluding to the swine flu pandemic, to a virus that he would want nurtured, not
eradicated.
While acknowledging that the exhibit will provide inspiration to Filipinos visiting the Philippine Consulate
General, Consul General Cristobal further challenged the club to bring their future shows to Hong Kong’s
mainstream society.
The works of the following artists are on exhibit: Manny Alde, Jaymar Alvaran, Banahaw Arnuco, Michael
Azucena, Carlo Baltazar, Ethel Baltazar, Gerard Boragay, Romeo Catapang, Jr., Rey Cabatuan, Chiqui Colet,
Neo Comia, JimsonDator, Michael Dungca, Butch Durias, Baba Gozum, Jeannie Juliano, Jun Madayag, Jojo
Mamangun, Jay Martinez, PJ Mercado, Noel Nellas, Phey Palma, Raul Puentespina, Brayan Ravanzo, Ben
Rosagazo, Dudoy Solano, Jr., Blossom Valiente, Carol Vega, Aldrin Victoriano and Joshua Viray.
The exhibit ran until 30 June 2009. END
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