RP Embassy in Abuja celebrates Eid Al-Fitr
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The Philippine Embassy in Abuja celebrated Eid Al-Fitr last 20 September. Guests included members of the
Filipino community, Nigerian business people, and the officers and staff of the ASEAN Embassies in Abuja,
including the Ambassadors of Thailand and Malaysia and the Charge d’Affaires of Vietnam and Indonesia.
Charge d’Affaires, a.i., Alex V. Lamadrid welcomed the guests on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. This is the first time
that the ASEAN Embassies in Nigeria attended the Eid Al-Fitr celebration in the Philippine Embassy.
Post’s muslim staff Mr. Said Bacolod led the invocation and Alimoden Emam read the Qur’an.
A film on the life of the Prophet Muhammad was also shown during the program. END
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St. Petersburg hosts first Philippine Studies Conference
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A Philippine studies conference was held for the first time ever in St. Petersburg, the former imperial capital and
now the cultural capital of Russia, one of the leading countries specializing in the field, the Philippine Embassy
in Moscow reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Pilipinas Muna! (The Philippines is a Priority!)” was held on September 14-15 at the conference hall of Pavilion
6 in LENEXPO, organized by the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of
the Russian Academy of Sciences, with the cooperation of the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Honorary
Consulate General in St. Petersburg.
In the opening ceremonies, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor G. Garcia III praised the organizers, led by
conference chair Dr. Maria V. Stanyukovich, chair of Kunstkamera’s Department of Australia, Oceania and
Indonesia, for putting Russia on the map “firmly as one of the poles of research on the Philippines.”
Honorary Consul General Sergey Alexeev remarked on St. Petersburg’s links to the Philippines, noting how the
trading ships that eventually made its way to the Far East were built and licensed by the Russian Imperial Court
in the former capital. Kunstkamera Director Professor Yury K. Chistov remarked about the new academic
milestone achieved by the holding of the conference.
Moscow-based historian and political scientist Victor Sumsky emphasized that the conference took in an
impressive range of disciplines represented in Philippine studies: linguistics, literature, folklore, history,
anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, geology, visual and graphic arts, performance arts and
naval engineering.
The two-day conference, which was also attended by three professors from the University of the Philippines –
Drs. Crisanta Flores of the Filipino Department, Jima Umala and Wystan de la Peña of the Center of
International Studies – attracted the early support of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her visit for the St.
Petersburg International Economic Forum in June.
During that visit, President Arroyo took keen interest in early historical references about the Philippines and
Russia, such as the Latin translation of Italian chronicler Antonio Pigafetta’s account of Ferdinand Magellan’s
circumnavigation of the world in 1522, a copy of which reached Russia and was translated in Russian
presumably between 1525 and 1530.
A copy of the translated manuscript was believed to have been among the documents in the Saltykov-Shchedrin
State Library in St. Petersburg. The collection from that library became part of the core of what eventually became
the Lenin Library or now the Russian State Library.
Apart from UP and Kunstkamera, the institutions represented in the conference were: St. Petersburg State
University (SPbSU), Moscow Lomonosov State University (MSU), St. Petersburg Institute of History, Institute of
World Economics and International Relations, Russian State Humanitarian University, Northwest Academy of
Public Administration and State Russian Museum.
The conference, which is the second ever of its kind in Russia, was dedicated to the 80th birthday of Dr.
Gennadiy Evgenyevich Rachkov, a specialist in Tagalog linguistics and the founder of Tagalog Department in
SPbSU’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
A side exhibition featuring the oil paintings of Mme. Concepcion G. Garcia and Papo de Asis as well as photos
from Philippine daily life taken by Russian photographers Alexandra Romanova and Alexey Stoyda and loaned
from the collection of Gennady Grustsya, head of exhibition organizers Golden Dolphin, was opened by
Ambassador Garcia, Honorary Consul General Alexeev, Director Chistov and Dr. Elena G. Tsaryova, curator at
the Kunstkamera.
The two paintings of Mrs. Garcia entitled “Tres Marias” and “The Making of the First Philippine Flag” were also
praised by the conference participants.
Dr. de la Peña said he was impressed with the extent and seriousness of the research presented by the
Russian academicians. In particular, he cited papers on the accusativity and ergativity in the Tagalog language,
the study of Ilocano Lam-ang epic, the population of the Philippines and the evolution of human groups
inhabiting the Pacific and on Francisco Balagtas.
At the end of the conference, Dr. Stanyukovich drew up by acclamation a resolution for the organizers and
participants to organize a follow-up conference, possibly in Manila, and to publish the papers and proceedings
in both English and Russian.
With the MSU and SPbSU offering undergraduate and post-graduate studies on the Philippines, Russia is one
of the leading countries in advancing Philippine studies in Europe if not the world. Other leading countries are
the United States, Australia and Japan. In Europe, Russia and Netherlands lead in scholarships, followed by
Spain, Great Britain and Germany.
Russia’s contribution to Philippine studies was acknowledged during President Arroyo’s visit to Moscow in
June, where she conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit to Rizalist Dr. Igor Podberezksy for his pioneering
work of translating eight volumes of Philippine literature into Russian and penning eight monographs and more
than 100 articles on the Philippines in a 55-year career.
The first ever academic conference on the Philippines was held in Moscow in the early 1990s. Organized by the
Nusantara Society in Moscow, the one-day “The Philippines in the Malay World” conference gathered specialists
from MSU, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Institute of World Economics and International
Relations and the Pushkin Institute of World Literature. END
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Lloyd’s opens Davao Gulf Lay-Up Facility to International Shippers
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Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James in London Antonio M. Lagdameo reported to the Department of
Foreign Affairs that the Lloyd’s Joint War Committee (JWC) has decided to delist Davao Gulf from its areas with
perceived enhanced risk.
The September 14 decision will make anchorage areas in Davao Gulf – particularly Malalag and Bunawan Bays,
Pujada Bay and Mayo Bay – a more attractive option for international shipping companies which intend to lay-up
their idle vessels at the facilities opened by the Philippine Government for this purpose.
Ambassador Lagdameo, who is concurrently the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the
International Maritime Organization, welcomed the JWC decision, and said; “London is considered as the
maritime capital of the world. The decision taken by the Joint War Committee a few days ago validates the
satisfactory efforts undertaken by Philippine government agencies to make Mindanao a stable and peaceful
place for international shipping companies to do business.”
Last May, MARINA Administrator Maria Elena Bautista led a delegation of officials from the Philippine Embassy
in London and the Philippine Coast Guard to meet with officials of Aegis Defence Services (Aegis), the external
security consultant of JWC, to formally brief them on the peace and order situation in Davao Gulf. Administrator
Bautista highlighted the peaceful environment in Davao Gulf which is supportive of attracting international
shipping companies to lay-up their idle merchant vessels in the area.
A team from Aegis was then invited to the Philippines in mid-August to inspect the measures undertaken by the
national and local government agencies to eliminate or minimize any security risk to international merchant
vessels that would be availing of the lay-up facilities in Davao Gulf. It was this team that briefed the JWC on the
situation prevailing in the Davao Gulf Area.
The JWC is composed of underwriting representatives from both the Lloyd’s and company markets of the
International Underwriting Association. It represents the interest of those writing war and related risks within the
London market and meets quarterly. END
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RP Embassy in London Clarifies Reported Crackdown on Foreigners in UK
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The Philippine Embassy in London reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Filipinos in the United
Kingdom are generally law-abiding and have generally not been affected nor been the subject of arrest and
detention in the ongoing drive by UK immigration authorities
The target of the campaign involves nationals without appropriate work permits or other documentation, from
Eastern European countries outside of the European Union, as well as those from Saharan and sub-Saharan
Africa.
Since 2007, the Embassy has proposed to the United Kingdom Home Office the conduct of regular and official
consultations on immigration concerns involving Filipinos in the UK.
The UK Border Agency launched a Points-Based Migration system in February 2008 to ensure that only those
with the right skills or the right contribution can come to the United Kingdom to work or study. END
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RP Embassy in Seoul leads ASEAN Campus Tour
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The Philippine Embassy in Seoul in cooperation with the ASEAN-Korea Center led the first leg of the ASEAN
School Tour Program at the Cheongduk Elementary School, Seoul on September 5.
The group accommodated 180 Korean elementary students. Participants had a taste of Philippine culture
through the demonstration of festival costumes, photos of famous Philippine tourist spots, crafts, textiles and
other cultural items.
Volunteers from the Pilipino Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) conducted a briefing to the students. Selected students
were also entertained by the basic dance steps of the “Tinikling”.
Other ASEAN member countries also showcased their country’s cultural items and other informational
materials in their respective booths.
The ASEAN Campus Tour will be brought to nine other elementary schools around Seoul until November 7. It is
being organized by the ASEAN-Korea Center and 10 other embassies of the ASEAN member countries in Seoul
to raise awareness and understanding on ASEAN member nations and to promote ASEAN culture among the
students in Korea.
Ambassador Luis T. Cruz and Secretary-General Young Jai Cho of the ASEAN-Korea Center headed the
campus tour. END
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San Diego Padres’ Filipino Heritage Night
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The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the San
Diego Padres hosted a Filipino Heritage Night at the Petco Park in San Diego, California last September 15.
Photo shows Manny Pacquiao (center) being presented a Proclamation from the City of Chula Vista honoring
him for his outstanding achievements. With Pacquiao are (from left) Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon;
Shirley Grasser Horton, California Legislator (2002-2008); and Jeffrey Moorad, San Diego Padres CEO.
During the event, five individuals were also honored for their outstanding contributions to the Filipino-American
community namely, Retired Assemblywoman Shirley Horton, Judge Lillian Lim, Captain Cesar Solis, Dr.
Barbara Yorobe, and Lucy Gonzales. END
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San Francisco Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night
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The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco attended the Giants Filipino Heritage Night at the AT&T Ball
Park in San Francisco last September 16. Newly-crowned International Boxing Association (IBA) Super
Bantamweight champion Anna “The Hurricane” Julaton also attended the event.
Photo shows Deputy Consul General Wilfredo C. Santos with Ms. Anna Julaton, together with Trade
Commissioner Josephine Romero, Mr. Anthony Cornista of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, and Mr. Al Perez of
the Bay Area Filipino American community. END
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RP Embassy in Mexico celebrates National Migrant Day
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he Philippine Embassy in Mexico participated in the celebration of the National Migrants Day at the Basilica de
Guadalupe on September 6.
The Pastoral Care of Human Mobility (PCHM) of the Mexican Roman Catholic Church and the Scalabrini Fathers
and Sisters coordinated the mass and the cultural show that were participated in by a number of countries
represented in Mexico City, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Pedro C. Santizo said.
Minister and Consul Lilybeth R. Deapera, Sister Leticia Gutierrez Guadarrama of PCHM, and the representative
of President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, were the principal readers in the mass.
Members of the Filipino community in Mexico City participated in the event.
Other members of the diplomatic corps in Mexico like Spain, Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia and
Panama also attended the commemoration. END
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Filipino Architect Selected as Finalist in Guggenheim Art Shelter Competition
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Filipino architect Gonzalo “Jun” Raymundo, Jr. was selected as one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious
Guggenheim Art Shelter Competition, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. reported to the Department of
Foreign Affairs.
The Guggenheim Art Shelter Competition is an exhibition contest sponsored by the Guggenheim Museum and
Google SketchUp. It is open to both amateur and professional designers who are challenged to come up with
various 3D designs inspired from different shelters in any part of the world using Google SketchUp and Google
Earth.
Submissions were received from nearly 600 contestants in 68 countries around the world. Ten finalists were
then drawn from this pool of contestants for the People’s Prize Award, which will be chosen through an online
public voting.
Mr. Raymundo, based in Quezon City, Philippines, is leading the voting polls.
In a statement, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa said Mr. Raymundo has exhibited
exceptional skill in design and architecture. “Truly, his work best reflects ingenuity, workmanship and culture that
the Filipino people can be proud of. I encourage members of the Filipino community to extend their support to
Mr. Raymundo by casting their votes for his meritorious piece of art,” he said.
Mr. Raymundo’s work entitled, “A Bamboo Shelter in a Garbage Dump City,” is a bamboo design shelter built on
a concrete base situated at a garbage dump in the Philippines. The bamboo wall represents a strong sense
camaraderie or “bayanihan” to signify that “where there is unity there is strength.” His work collectively
symbolizes “sustainability and hope.”
The voting period will run until 10 October 2009. A link to the voting page can be accessed at: http://www.
guggenheim.org/new-york/education/sackler-center/design-it-shelter/vote-for-shelters. END
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