5 February 04 -- Former Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Juanito P. Jarasa, was conferred on 1 February the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, Gwanghwa Medal (First Class) at a conferment ceremony at the official residence of the Korean Ambassador in Forbes Park, Makati City.

Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-Moon, who was in Manila for the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) ministerial meeting, bestowed the honor on behalf of Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun.

Ambassador Jarasa was cited for his contribution to the enhancement of the friendly and cooperative relations in various fields between Korea and the Philippines during his four-year tour of duty in Seoul.

The Ambassador, who retired in June 2003 after serving for almost 40 years in the Philippine Foreign Service, was also given recognition for his “valuable dedication and service” which earned for him the “appreciation and admiration of the Korean People.”

Prior to the conferment of the award, the Senate and the House of Representatives, in compliance with the 1987 Philippine Constitution, adopted separate Resolutions giving consent to Ambassador Jarasa to accept the Korean Award.

Before his retirement last year, Ambassador Jarasa became the first foreign diplomat based in Seoul to receive the Unification Peace Prize. The prize was presented by the Unification Preparatory Council Inc., an organization of Korean associations both in Korea and in foreign countries concerned with the eventual reunification of North and South Korea.

The Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) has also made Ambassador Jarasa an Honorary Korea Ambassador of Tourism for his contribution to tourism exchanges between Korea and the Philippines. Korea now ranks as the biggest tourism market of the Philippines.

“This is a most welcome honor, not only to Ambassador Jarasa but to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Filipino People in general as well,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert said before leaving for a five-day trip to Indonesia and Singapore. “It is testament to the Filipino Diplomat’s ability to become World Class.” - END