6 July 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea organized several events to celebrate the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 149th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
The celebrations commenced with Philippine participation in the annual Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA) held from June 3 to 6 at the Convention and Exhibition Center, Seoul. This was done in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its office in Seoul.
During the exhibition, it arranged for the performance of the Bayanihan Dance Company to showcase Philippine cultural dances and traditional costumes for the Korean public and international participants, and to highlight the celebration of Philippine National Day in Korea.
On June 7, the Embassy hosted a diplomatic reception at the Millennium Hilton Hotel Seoul.
Representing the Korean government and Guest of Honor during the reception is Minister for for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Chang, Tae-Pyong.
During the event, the dignitaries held a ceremonial tree-planting ceremony led by Philippine Ambassador Luis T. Cruz, together with Minister Chang, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, and the ambassadors from ASEAN member countries.
The trees were eventually planted by Filipino Community leaders in Incheon during the 14th Filipino Migrants Day Celebration on June 13.
The ceremony symbolizes the support of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the "Low-Carbon Green-Growth" policy of the Korean government.
Performances from the world-renowned Bayanihan Dance Company added a fiesta atmosphere, to the delight of the 250 guests from the diplomatic community and the Korean government.
In the morning of June 12, the Embassy held a flag-raising ceremony at the rooftop of the chancery headed by Ambassador Cruz.
Attending the ceremony are Embassy officers and staff members and attached agencies, including their families.
The participants shared a typical Filipino breakfast before the formal opening of the Embassy Summer Sports Competition, which included table tennis, darts, badminton and bowling competitions.
Non-participants to the sports competition enjoyed a morning of Bingo Social with various gift prizes given away.
The Embassy and Filipino community in South Korea held the joint celebration of the 112th Philippine Independence Day and the 15th Migrant Workers Day in Incheon on June 13.
The Embassy organized the event in partnership with the local government represented by the Bupyeong Welfare Community Center, and the Organizing Committee of the Incheon Filipino community organizations.
To promote Philippine food to the Korean public, Filipino organizations set up food tasting booths and meals for sale, with a good mix of regional cuisine.
The morning program included a Holy Mass officiated by Apostolic Nuncio H.E Osvaldo Padilla, reading of the messages of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque and Overseas Workers Welfare Adminisration Administrator Dimson and performances by the multicultural children.
Korean officials from the local government, the Ministry of Labor and Migrant Support Centers joined in the opening ceremony for the food festival. The Ministry also provided para-legal and medical services for the OFWs the whole day.
The afternoon events consisted of Filipino traditional games and performances by Filipino singers and bands. Awards and prizes were given to the best food booths and winners of raffle draws.
The Embassy also used the occasion to give certificates of recognition to individuals and groups who have given significant contributions in improving the welfare of the Filipino workers in South Korea and in strengthening Philippine and Korean relations.
Those recognized included: President of the Bupyeong Community Welfare Center Ambassador Shin Kwang-yul; My Sisters Place, a shelter for abused Filipino entertainers; Annabelle Lee, a Filipino-Korean spouse who is now a member of the Ansan City Police Force and who is actively assisting OFWs with police problems; Philippine Resource Persons Group, an association of Filipino professors on faculty exchange program which is actively assisting to promote Philippine culture and education in Korea; and Inspector Park, a police officer assisting the Filipino communities.
Around 1,500 Filipino and Korean guests attended the whole day celebration and the event was covered by the Korean tri-media and Filipino community newsletters.
Meanwhile, the Embassy celebrated the 149th birthday of national hero Jose Rizal with an awarding ceremony for a Rizal-themed essay-writing contest and a film showing of the movie "Rizal sa Dapitan" with Filipino spouses of Korean nationals.
The activities were held on June 19 at the Seoul City Hall Annex Building.
Earlier, the Embassy conducted an essay-writing contest, which adopted the theme of "Finding Jose Rizal in South Korea: A Migrant's Perspective" for Filipino contestants, from February to April 2010 in cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the association of Filipino professors in South Korea.
The film showing of the acclaimed "Rizal sa Dapitan" followed the awarding ceremony.
The Seoul Global Center supported the Embassy in hosting the entire event through the United Pilipinas in Korea, an organization of Filipino spouses of Korean nationals recently formed by the Embassy to promote programs specifically attuned to the needs of multicultural families.
Other events included the ASEAN Women's Festival, which the Embassy participated in through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).
The ASEAN Women's Festival organized by the ASEAN Women's Hotline of Incheon was held on June 5.
Participants of the festival were multicultural families from the Philippines, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Japan, which features cultural presentations, product exhibition and traditional games.
Opening Ceremonies of various Basketball tournaments with Filipino community participants were also attended by Ambassador Cruz and POLO Officers during the whole month of June in Bucheon, Busan, Daegu and Hyewadong, Seoul. END