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CEBU PACIFIC LAUNCHES DIRECT MANILA-DUBAI FLIGHT
Wednesday 22nd of May 2013
MANILA, May 22 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates reported that Cebu Pacific launched its direct Manila-Dubai flight on May 12 in a hosted reception at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai.
Department of Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Philippine Ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Grace Relucio-Princesa and Consul General Frank R. Cimafranca attended the launch, aiming to promote why “it’s more fun to fly” to the Philippines.
Ambassador Princesa was elated with the achievement of Cebu Pacific’s operation with the direct daily flights to Dubai, marking the carrier’s 21st international destination...
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07May2013MANILA, May 7 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its warning to Filipino travelers against carrying devices and other articles which are classified as “arms” by the domestic laws in their countries of destination or transit. The warning comes after a recent spate in arrests of Filipino nationals who have been found carrying such devices and articles while traveling in or transiting India and Hong Kong. The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi reported to the DFA that a Fili...
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05May2013MANILA, May 5 -- Cesar Guarin, Filipino father of the ultramarathon, ran 60 kilometers in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 1 as the 7th leg of his global run around the world. Starting and ending at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, he ran around Riyadh and to Twaiq to complete the 60 kilometers, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Embassy personnel, together with members of the Filipino community, cheered him on. “We are very proud of Cesar. He serves as an inspiration to u...
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04May2013MANILA, May 4 -- The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Argentine culinary book Sabores del SudesteAsiatico (Flavors of Southeast Asia), published by Ediciones Lea, was successfully launched last May 1 at the United States Embassy stand at the ongoing 39th International Book Fair of Buenos Aires. The publication, authored by Ms. Christina Sunae, is said to be Argentina’s first cookbook on Southeast Asian cuisine originally written in Span...
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30Apr2013VIENTIANE, April 30 -- The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, in cooperation with the Filipino community in Laos, organized a Poetry Reading Session for Kids last April 27 as part of its year-long Sentro Rizal program of activities. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the poetry reading session featured two poems and a children’s song, namely;Gatas at Itlog (Milk and Eggs), a poem which highlights the importance of milk, egg and fruits in a child’s diet;Ang Aking Ina (My ...
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25Apr2013MANILA, April 25 -- Undocumented Filipinos in Saudi Arabia who are camping out on a vacant lot near the Philippine Consulate while waiting for their repatriation has been provided temporary shelters by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah. The Consulate is now setting up two large tents on the fourth floor of the Consulate to accommodate a total of 200 women and children, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. A friend of the Consulate likewise offered to take in 80 women and...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- The European Parliament adopted a resolution on March 14 approving a report which included its support to the Philippines’ arbitration initiative, under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in clarifying the country’s maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday. In the said report, a paragraph on the West Philippine Sea was included, viz: “...underlines the global importance of the Sou...
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18Apr2013MANILA, April 18 -- A three-member delegation from Philippine Science High School (PSHS) received recognition at the XX Vernadsky National Contest of Student Research Projects held in Moscow from April 08 to 13. PSHS students Quinito Miguel Baula and Anthony Ivan Geronimo were cited for their entries under the earth sciences and medical science and healthcare categories, respectively, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. This was the Philippines’ maiden participation in the said compe...
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17Apr2013MANILA, April 17 (PNA) -– No Filipino has so far been among the casualties in the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck southeastern Iran on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Tremors were felt across the Middle East, including Pakistan and India, but Filipino communities in affected areas told embassy officials that there are no known casualties from the Philippines. There are at least 1,000 Filipinos in Tehran, mostly working in the skilled and unskilled sectors or married to Ira...
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16Apr2013MANILA, April 16 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the bombing at the Boston Marathon, calling “this senseless violence… all the more appalling for taking place at an event renowned for bringing people together from around the world in a spirit of sportsmanship and harmony.” Speaking at a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York commemorating the 19th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, Mr. Ban said that although reports on the incident were still coming in, it wa...
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10Apr2013MANILA, April 10 -- Vice-President Jejomar Binay opened on April 08 the Philippines' first ever grand exhibition at the Musee du Quai Branly in the heart of Paris, the world's cultural capital, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Entitled "Philippines:Archipel des échanges" (archipelago of exchanges), the grand exhibition is hosted by the Branly Museum, one of Europe's premier museums dedicated to the arts and civilizations of Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. More than 300 essenti...
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10Apr2013NEW ZEALAND, April 10 -- Upon the invitation of New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae, Philippine Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez joined the Heads of Diplomatic Missions to a State Welcome Ceremony and a State Dinner on the occasion of the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang-Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to New Zealand at the Government House on March 26. The Sultan’s visit built on the positive and friendly relationship ...
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08Apr2013ROME, April 8 -- The Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) launched a commemorative stamp in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Italy Diplomatic Relations. The launch was held last April 03 at the Headquarters of Poste Italiane, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. The unveiling ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. with the presence of PhlPost Chief Executi...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 -- The Lifestyle Publication recently named the Philippines as one of 2012’s “Best Leisure Destinations”. The Grand Annual Tourism Awards had been conferred by the Lifestyle Publications for three years now. The awardees were chosen by the tourism industry representatives and professionals, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Other awardees in the same category were Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives. Lifestyle is among the top 10 most ...
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01Apr2013PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, April 1 (PIA) -- El Nido Resorts, a group of eco-resorts found in El Nido and Taytay in northern Palawan, makes it to the top 12 finalists in the distinguished Tourism for Tomorrow Awards (TTA) for 2013 given by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a global forum for business leaders in travel & tourism. El Nido Resorts is being considered for the award category on Community Benefit Award presented to tourism initiative that has effectively demonstrat...
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01Apr2013LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, April 1 (PIA) -- A presentation paper on improvised low-cost water, sanitation and hygiene project in Kapangan municipality in Benguet was adjudged as “Best Presentation Prize” in an international conference in Thailand. Kapangan Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Dr. Jane Toribio garnered the “Best Presentation Prize” on the paper she presented entitled, “Barangay Integrated Development Action in Kapangan towards Water, Sanitation and Hygiene” (BIDA KA WASH!) ...
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27Mar2013MANILA, March 27 -- Officials from the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and representatives from the travel industry participated in the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2013 on March 6 in a bid to attract one million tourists from China. The Philippine delegation was headed by the DOT, through the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board and the Philippine Tourism Office-Shanghai, with the support of the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, and partner sponsors - Cebu Pacific,...
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26Mar2013ROME, ITALY, March 26 -- The Philippine’s Commission on Audit (COA) was appointed as External Auditor of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for another six-year term during the 148th session of the FAO Finance Committee last March 19. It was selected over other shortlisted candidates, Germany and United Kingdom. This is the second time that the Commission will serve as FAO External Auditor. It was first elected last June 2007 at the FAO Council’s 132nd session...
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25Mar2013BANGKOK, 25 March -- Groupon, the global pioneer and leader in social e-commerce, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, are launching a daily deal across Southeast Asia to support the empowerment of girls in Asia through school meals programmes. From March 25 until 5 April 2013, Groupon will call on the general public to help provide a child with WFP school meals for four weeks and with a monthly ration to take home...
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25Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 25 -- The Philippines is viewed as leader in terms of responding to violence against women and girls (VAWG) during the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57) which took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 4-15. Priority theme of the UNCSW57 is “Elimination and prevention of all forms of VAWG.” The international community lauded the country’s progressive interventions for sustained prevention and multi-sectoral respo...
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21Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 21 (PIA) - - A World Bank officer who recently visited the country approves of the country’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program as it helps beneficiaries earn money. World Bank Vice President for External Affairs Cyril Muller made this comment during his recent visit and interaction with the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taguig City. Muller learned that the beneficiaries have started investing in various income-generating pr...
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19Mar2013MANILA, March 19 -- The Philippines-Saudi Arabia Joint Technical Working Group (TWG) convened at the Ministry of Labor (MOL) in Riyadh to discuss and mutually agree on the provisions of the draft Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment on March 16. The proposed agreement aims to enhance Philippine-Saudi cooperation on the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers, and seeks to protect the rights of both the worker and the employer and regulate the contractual relations between them, a Departme...
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18Mar2013MANILA, March 18 --Philippine and Mongolian foreign ministry senior officials will meet in Manila on March 19 for the 1st Philippines-Mongolia Policy Consultations. The Philippine panel will be headed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Del Rosario while Vice Foreign Minister Damba Gankhuyag will head the Mongolian panel. The Mongolian delegation will call on DFA Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario. They will also meet with Philippine To...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippines was chosen "Most Popular Destination" by Guangzhou Information Times and the Guangzhou International Tourism Fair (GITF) in separate ceremonies held on March 7 in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong in southern China. In a press conference/awarding ceremony held at the Nanhu Travel Display Center, the Philippines was presented the "Most Popular Destination in Asia" award by Mr. Li Xinzhang, Vice President of Guangzhou Information Times, a statement from the Dep...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippines and South Sudan signed on March 13 a Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between them in simple ceremonies held at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya. The Philippines officially recognized South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state soon after South Sudan declared its independence on 9 July 2011. Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. signed the Joint Communiqué on behalf of the Philippine Government while S...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv met on March 11 the 21 Filipino United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the Golan Heights who were detained by Syrian rebels last week. The 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers arrived at Camp Ziouani around 6 p.m. local time and were personally received and greeted by Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge, Philippine Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Nolie Anquiliano and other members of the Philippine contingent. The soldiers entered Is...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- The Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, briefed on March 8 over 20 United Nations (UN) experts on the latest developments in the Mindanao peace process following the historic signing last year of the framework peace agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Secretary Deles discussed the mandates of the different technical working groups. She also explained the roadmap for peace that envisions the eventual creation of the Bangs...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Lonely Planet recently released its latest Czech language travel guidebook on the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy in Prague welcomes the release of the guidebook by Svojtka & Co. Publishers, which has released 150 “Lonely Planet” guides in the Czech language since 2011. Ambassador Garcia expects an increase in tourist arrivals from the Czech Republ...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Somali pirates released M/T Smyrni, a Greek-owned and Liberian-flagged oil tanker and its 26-member crew, which includes 14 Filipinos. The vessel and its crew were released last March 9 after being detained for 10 months. All of the crew members are in good physical condition. The M/T Smyrni was hijacked by Somali pirates on May 10, 2012 off the coast of Oman. The vessel and i...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- Germany has opened its doors for Filipino nurses. Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Services (ZAV) in Bonn on March 8 to discuss the deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany and the upcoming visit of German Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen to the Philippines, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Minister von der Leyen will witness the sign...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- Germany labor market opens its doors to Filipino nurses. Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Services (ZAV) in Bonn on March 8 to discuss the deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany and the upcoming visit of German Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen to the Philippines, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Minister von der Leyen will witness t...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11- --The Philippine Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai will be reconstructed in Xiamen, Fujian Province as part of the Philippines’ trade and investment and tourism promotion effort. The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) signed an agreement with China’s Longquan Group last March 5 granting the latter with exclusive rights to reconstruct the Philippine Pavilion in China, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The agreement was signed by Tourism ...
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10Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 10 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs today confirmed the release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers who were detained on March 6 in Jamla, Syria. In a statement the DFA said “the Philippine Government and its people express deep appreciation to the Jordanian Government and military officials on the successful safe passing over to the Jordanian side of all our 21 Filipino Peacekeepers and to all those who have exerted and contributed to the collective efforts to effect the safe...
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07Mar2013MANILA, March 7 -- The Philippine Government has received confirmation from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that 21 Filipino peacekeepers assigned to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights have been detained by an armed group. All Filipino peacekeepers are reported to be unharmed and that negotiations are underway to secure their safe release. The Government is likewise coordinating closely with th...
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06Mar2013MANILA, March 6 -- The Philippines actively participated in this year’s 17th edition of Gulf Food Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire (Gulfood), the biggest food industry event in the Middle East and southern Africa, held on February 25 to 28 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines was also an active participant in 2012 with the Philippines’ “best sellers” taking the center stage ...
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05Mar2013MANILA, March 5 -- Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, Jr. was one of the lead speakers in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review event held from February 25 to 27 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. Speaking in the High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, Coloma highlighted President Aquino’s vision of a “digitally empow...
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05Mar2013MANILA, March 5 -- To meet the high demand for the renewal of passports in the Riyadh area and after obtaining the kind approval of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy extended passport services to Filipinos in the Daawah Islamic Center in Riyadh’s Second Industrial City on February 28, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. This was the first time that the Embassy had served applicants outside of the Embassy in Riyadh and in the industrial city....
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28Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 28 -- The Philippine flag waved proudly at the finish line at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay during the 2013 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon to welcome Filipinos participating in the race on February 24. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said, around 15 Hong Kong-based Filipinos and another 20 who flew in from all over the Philippines (Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Pangasinan, Quezon City) took part in the Marathon sponsored by Standard Chartered since 1997. ...
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26Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 26 -- Five Filipino filmmakers participated in this year’s Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) Talent Campus, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. The Filipino filmmakers are Joenathann Alandy, producer; Paul Sta. Ana, director; Alemberg Ang, producer; Hannah Tabitha Espia, director; and Ian Dean Loreños, screenwriter. They were among the 300 young and upcoming international filmmakers selected from 4,443 applicants from 137 countries to j...
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26Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 26 -- Filipino group Dubai Vocal Ensemble also known as the Christian Voices Chorale (CVC), beat six other choral groups, to win The Score Choir of the Year 2013, the first ever choir festival and competition in Dubai, on February 13 at the Dubai College Auditorium. Dubai Vocal Ensemble is based in St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dubai. Founded in 2004, CVC is the resident choir for the Friday English Mass. The choir is regularly invited to participate in various concerts and spe...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 25 -- The Philippine Embassy in Muscat, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), organized a series of art workshops for children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. NCCA artists Salvador Convocar and Alma Quinto is conducting the “Art Workshop for Filipino Migrant Children in the Middle East” until March 2, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Over 600 students from different Phil...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 25 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is committed to and focused on uplifting the welfare of Filipinos in Sabah, said Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya during the opening of the Stairway to Hope (STH) Learning Center in Kota Kinabalu on February 16. “The Philippines and Malaysia are neighboring countries, and have a shared neighborhood. This presents both opportunities as well as challenges, some of which are very complex and take time to resolve. There are also some challenge...
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23Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 23 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates, together with attached agencies Philippines Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Pag-IBIG, and Social Security System (SSS), held mobile services in Fujairah on February 15 to 16, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. A total of 211 passport applications were processed, 44 expedited services, 23 amendments, and 21 notarial services. For attached services, the POLO representative processed Overs...
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21Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 21 -- Fifteen Filipino graduate students in South Korea received scholarship grants from the Woojung Education and Culture Foundation in a ceremony held on February 18 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce Building in Seoul, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The sponsor of the Foundation is Booyoung Group, a local conglomerate focusing on construction and headed by Chairman Lee Jong-kuen. Aside from the 15 Filipino students, there were als...
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21Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Department of Tourism joined the eighth year of the Boston Globe Travel Show (BGTS), which was opened to the public on February 10, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The event, held at the Boston Seaport World Trade Center, was originally scheduled for February 8 to 10 but was cut short to one day (February 10) due to severe winter weather in the US northeast. The Philippine booth tu...
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19Feb2013ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb.19 (PIA) -- United States-based World Medical Relief Inc. (WMRI) recently turned-over around P20 million worth of medical equipment for the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC). Donations included dialysis units, operating tables, dental chairs, cardiac monitor, incubators, and ventilators. Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan expressed his gratitude over the donations, saying he was overwhelmed by the contributions of the WMRI that will surely help the city in improvi...
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16Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The Filipino Language School, Learning Filipino Together in Canberra, Australia once again participated in the National Multicultural Festival 2013 held on February 8 to 10 at the Canberra Civic Centre, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The group set up a food stall featuring Filipino cuisine such as pork adobo, spring rolls, pancit and many more. They included also a “sungka” game space at the Children’s Sanctuary. Their participation hig...
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14Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 14 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and newly-installed United States (U.S.) Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed to continue forging stronger and deeper relations between the Philippines and the United States, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. This understanding was reached between the two officials in a phone call made last night by Secretary Kerry to Secretary del Rosario. “We spoke at length about our relations and the many op...
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13Feb2013LISBON, Feb. 13 -- The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that living in Portugal has been made easier with the recent launching by the Portuguese Government of its Golden Residence Permit program (GRP), which introduced major changes to the legal rules on entry and stay of foreign nationals in Portugal. This new mechanism allows foreign nationals to obtain a Portuguese residence permit if they make certain investments, either individually or through a co...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 --The Royal Canadian Navy is on a goodwill visit to the Philippines further demonstrating the strong relations between the two countries. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina is docked at the Port of Manila until February 16, a statement from the Canadian Embassy said. The Regina last visited the country in 1996. “I am pleased to welcome HMCS Regina, its officers and crew to Manila. The Philippines has always been a very good host to our fleet and I know this ...
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12Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in London cited before Philippine and British audiences the country’s initiatives and achievements in the fields of interfaith cooperation and human rights promotion. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said that on February 7, the Embassy hosted its first ever reception commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week. The gathering brought together leaders and representatives of different religions in the United Kingdom (UK), as...
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11Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 11 -- The Philippine Embassy in Yangon reported that the Philippine National Football Team known as the “Azkals” earned a close 1-0 victory over a feisty and gritty Myanmar side in an international friendly match held on February 06 at the Thuwanna Football Stadium in Yangon. The Azkals, cheered on by about 100 screaming and flag-waving Filipinos in the stands, parried all attacks by Myanmar with an outstanding performance at the post by goalkeeper Neil Etheridge who made coun...
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08Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 8 -- In another shining example of the indomitable spirit of bayanihan, the Filipino community in Hong Kong raised a total of HK$153,791.50 for those affected by typhoon Pablo since December 06. A Department of Foreign Affairs statement said the fund drive was organized by the Philippine Consulate General as well as other community organizations. The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong started the ball rolling by donating HK$75,000 in the days following the disaster. The Philipp...
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06Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 6 -- Filipino Guillermo “Bill” Capati, a registered engineer in Queensland in the field of civil and environmental engineering, was awarded a Public Service Medal by the Governor General of Australia during the 2013 Australia Day celebrations in January. The Award is in recognition of Mr. Capati’s outstanding public service to the sustainable water future of the Gold Coast and broader South East Queensland region, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. M...
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06Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 6 -- Two separate Sinulog Festivals held in Auckland and Wellington on January 20 showcased the strength of the Filipino people’s Christian beliefs and the richness of the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Thousands of Filipino devotees of the Sto. Nino, families and friends from New Zealand and other countries joined in the 19th anniversary of the Sinulog celebration in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and home to more than 25,000 Filipinos, a statement fro the...
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05Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 4 -- Filipino-Australian teams surprised spectators at the Cabramatta International 9s when the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Tamaraws won two matches on their first season in the international rugby league competition on February 2. They were the only team of Asian heritage in the competition dominated by European and Pacific Island countries, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, together with Consul Marford Angeles and Cultur...
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05Feb2013CEBU CITY, Feb 5 (PIA) -- A vision of what Metro Cebu could be in 2050 and how this could be achieved through long-term development planning was presented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to local chief executives of Metro Cebu and other stakeholders recently. JICA consultant Shigehisa Matsamura outlined the importance of a future vision which highly-urbanized metropolis such as Yokohama City of Japan and Singapore had. “Yokohama City 6 Projects was conceptualized in 1965...
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01Feb2013QUEZON CIY, Feb 1 (PIA) -- The launching of the first publication on European Union (EU) Development Assistance to the Philippines was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City on January 30. In his speech, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said, “This publication marks the first step towards a comprehensive communication and visibility strategy for European Union Aid and the member states' development assistance to the Philippines.” ...
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31Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 31 -- Yoko Ono, wife of the late John Lennon of the famed “The Beatles” and an established musical artist and fashion designer in her own right, donated US$ 10,000 for victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ (international name: Bopha) in the Philippines. The donation was remitted to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on January 28, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Ms. Ono learned about the disastrous effects of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ in Mindanao following a person...
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30Jan2013DAVAO CITY Jan. 29 (PIA) -- Donations from the international community has helped rebuild 42,000 houses and structures throughout the areas struck by typhoon Pablo in Southeastern Mindanao last December 4. Tom Bamforth, shelter cluster coordinator of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the cluster has provided emergency shelter and housing kits to rebuild about 42,000 houses. He said that these came from the international assistance from United Nation agenc...
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29Jan2013CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator of Northern Samar Engr. Romeo M. Cardenas is now attending a study mission on climate change adaptation initiatives and policy at Vancouver, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba from January 24 to February 2, 2013. In a letter sent to Cardenas, Program Manager Regan Mancini of International Program Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) said that as a mission participant, the planni...
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25Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan.25 -- The Philippines is a certified business-tourism destination and the country's top salesman went to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday to talk about it. Before his departure for Davos, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III assured that he will do his best to present the Philippines as a sound investment site in the four-day forum. Apart from the industrious and creative people to rely on, the President said the Philippines has unforgettable locations frequ...
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22Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 22 -- A native from Davao City, Charly Suarez, the only Filipino member of the Italia Thunder boxing team, won his second victory in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) against the USA Knockouts on January 12 at the Mediolanum Forum Stadium in Milan. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, Charly became the main character of the evening who has also gained popularity as an idol for the Milanese. His spectacular and aggressive boxing won applauses and cheers from the a...
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18Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) recently honored a Filipino member of the sixth Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights. Technical Sergeant Herman Galiza received the Peacekeeper Month Award from UNDOF chief Major General Iqbal Singh Singha in a simple ceremony held at the UNDOF Headquarters, Camp Fauoar, Syria. According to Commanding Officer of the Philippine Contingent Lieutenant Colonel Nolie Anquillano, Galiza received said award for his e...
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17Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 17 -- The Okinawa Prefectural Government led by Governor Hirokazu Nakaima donated JPY 1 million (approximately P500,000) for the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ (international name: Bopha) last December 28. In addition, the 48 members of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly led by its Chairman Masaharu Kina also donated JPY 500,000 (approximately P250,000) for ‘Pablo’ victims, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The donation from Okinawa, which totals JPY 1.5...
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12Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 12 -- The Philippines won one of the “Best Tourist Destination” awards at the 2012 Oriental Morning Post’s annual World Travel – Special Trips Awards. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the award was based on a consumer survey done by the Oriental Morning Post, one of the top news dailies in Shanghai. Other winning countries in the category were Ireland, Korea, Singapore and Finland, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The awarding ceremony was...
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07Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 7 -- Around 22 Filipinos from the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I tomorrow, Tuesday, January 08 at 10:15 p.m in line with the Philippine Government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP). The repatriates travelled by land to Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport where they took Qatar Airways flight QR 423 to Doha and then flight QR 644 to Manila, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. T...
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03Jan2013PASAY CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- A number of essential works in pre-colonial Filipino art selected from both public and private collections in the Philippines, Europe, and the United States, will be featured at the world-famous Musée du Quai Branly in the heart of Paris, the world’s cultural capital. Entitled “Philippines: Archipel des échanges (archipelago of exchanges)," the grand exhibition will be hosted by the Musée du Quai Branly in collaboration with the Philippine National Museum, the...
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29Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 29 -- The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo welcomed officials from Sumitomo Corporation who pledged ¥10 million in cash (approximately P5 million) as humanitarian assistance for those affected by Typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. The donation, coursed through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, will be turned over to proper authorities in the Philippines, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez met wit...
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28Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 28 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Agana continues to receive donations for Typhoon Pablo victims, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. On December 20, the Consulate General received check donations from the National Association of Mapua Alumni (NAMA) and the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) in Guam. Theese organizations had also donated cash for the victims of the flooding caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) that hit Luzon last Augus...
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25Dec2012OSLO, Dec. 25 -- A total of 101 certificates were handed out by the Philippine Embassy in Oslo and its volunteer teachers to students who had successfully completed the recently concluded Levels 1 to 3 informal Norskkurs classes held at the Embassy from September to December this year. Ambassador Bayani S. Mercado congratulated the new batch of levels 1 and 2 graduates in his speech while First Secretary & Consul Patrick Hilado wished the graduates of level 3 well during their respective gradu...
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24Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 24 -- Three members of the Filipino community in New South Wales, Australia, garnered two major awards from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) for 2012, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Atty. Imelda Argel received the Banaag Award from President Benigno S. Aquino in an awarding ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on Dec. 5. The Banaag Award is a category of the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas administered ...
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23Dec2012SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23 -- A food blogger and an executive chef emerged as the winners of the 3rd Kulinarya Finals, an annual live cooking showdown hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. Justin Hulog, a food blogger and a graduate student at the San Francisco State University, and Thomas Weibull, the executive chef at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, were declared winners in the cookfest by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, a Department of Foreign Affai...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- Representatives of Marubeni Corporation, one of Japan’s largest general trading companies, called on Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez last December 18 to convey their pledge to donate a total amount of JPY 10 million (approximately P 5 million) for the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ in the Philippines. Former Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Makoto Katsura, in his capacity as Corporate Advisor to Marubeni Corporation, expressed his company’s sympathy...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a 56-man team from Malaysian non-governmental organization (NGO) Kelab Putera 1Malaysia will be undertaking a five-day humanitarian volunteer mission to Davao and adjoining areas to provide assistance to Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) victims. In a courtesy call on Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya on December 19, Kelab Putera 1Malaysia president Datuk Hj Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim said that the gro...
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21Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 21 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong successfully conducted a series of gift-giving visits in eight correctional institutions in Hong Kong, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said today. These institutions are Tung Tau Correctional Institution, Stanley Prison, Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, Lai Chi Kok Reception Center, Shek Pik Prison Tai Lam Centre for Women, Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre and the Lo Wu Correctional Institution from December 03 to 13. ...
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20Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 20 -- The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the United States (US) Senate confirmed last December 18, by a vote of 91-0, the nomination by US President Barack Obama of Lorna Schofield, an American judge of Filipino descent, as a Federal District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. She is the first Filipino-American to serve as an Article III Federal Judge. Ms. Schofield who was recommended for nomination to...
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17Dec2012LUBAO, Pampanga, Dec 17 (PIA) -- International Labour Organization (ILO) lauded the successful convergence of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and municipal government of Lubao in the implementation of a short-term livelihood project for calamity victims. Chris Dongges of ILO said, “DOLE’s Tulong Alalay para sa mga Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) is very well-organized in the town.” Dongges headed the ILO team that monitored the on-going 15-day flood mitigation project at Sapang M...
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14Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 14 -- Canada announced today that it is providing more than P70 million (Cad$ 1.75million) as additional assistance to victims of typhoon ‘Pablo’ (Bopha) in the Philippines. This is in addition to its initial contribution of P10 million (Cad$ 250,000) to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support the Philippine Red Cross in helping approximately 50,000 people affected by the typhoon, a statement from the Canadian Embassy said. "Canad...
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11Dec2012BAGUIO CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA) -- The United States of America and Japan sent support to the typhoon-affected areas in Mindanao devastated by recent Typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha). During the visit of US Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires Brian L. Goldbeck here in Baguio City last week, he said that they have seen the destruction brought by typhoon Pablo in the Southern Philippines and the US government has already sent support to the victims of the typhoon. In a statement by Goldbeck, “On ...
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11Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 11 -- Another batch of 16 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo arrived home last December 6, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The OFWs travelled by air from Aleppo to Beirut, Lebanon then on to Doha, Qatar before arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I. The Philippine Honorary Consul in the city, Mr. Wassim Nanaa facilitated the repatriation of the OFWs and advanced the payment for their residency and e...
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10Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 10 -- A total of 7,500.00 AED or roughly P80,000 was raised by the Filipino Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates (FilCom DNE) in a “Brunch for a Cause” held last December 7 at Chelsea Plaza Hotel to help the victims of Typhoon Pablo, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Consul General Frank R. Cimafranca thanked all the kababayans who participated in the fund raising and extolled their kindness in extending help to those in need especially as Christmas approache...
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08Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 8 -- Federal authorities are expected to soon request access to three injured Filipino workers as part of efforts to determine what really happened in the November 16 oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico that left three other Filipino workers dead, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said Friday. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC said it has been informed that the Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement (BSEE) of the Department of the Interior has made initial...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 7 -- Canada announced today it is providing Cad$ 250,000 (P10 million) as its response to help those affected by typhoon Pablo (Bopha) in the Philippines, a statement from the Canadian Embassy here said. ''Canada is deeply concerned about the devastation caused by Typhoon Bopha and its impact on the people of the Philippines,'' Minister for International Cooperation Julian Fantino said. The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is...
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06Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 6 -- The international spotlight shined again on the Philippines during two recently held major international meetings on migration and development, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Philippine representatives to these meetings, led by Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, reported that the Philippines’ unwavering work for the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were given due cr...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Embassy today expressed its sympathies to the victims of Typhoon Pablo which battered southern Mindanao Tuesday. Chargé d’affaires Brian L. Goldbeck in a statement said, “On behalf of the United States government, we extend our deepest condolences for the devastation and loss of life caused by Typhoon Pablo in the southern Philippines.” He further said they “applaud the efforts of local communities, local authorities and the NDRRMC to evacuate citizens, pre...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The Government of Canada today offered its sympathies to Filipinos affected by Typhoon Bopha (known locally as Pablo). “On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to those who have lost loved ones or have been otherwise affected by Typhoon Bopha," Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy said. He added that officials at the Embassy of Canada in Manila are closely following the path of Typho...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The Philippine Embassy in Muscat, in collaboration with the Filipino Community Social Club (FILCOSOC), the umbrella organization of all Filipino community groups in Oman, presented the 1st Paskong Pinoy in the Sultanate of Oman last November 30. The event dubbed “1st Paskong Pinoy sa Muscat: A Christmas Chorale Concert” showcased the Filipino tradition of songs and music in celebrating Christmas, Pilipinas-style. Five Filipino chorale groups in colorful Christmas outfit...
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04Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 4 -- The Philippines was the Grand Slam Champion of the World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB 2012), a competition among international hip-hop dance groups held at the Sydney Olympic Park last December 1. Four Philippine teams bested competitors from Australia, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United States, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The winning Philippine teams at the International Open Division of WSB ...
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03Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 3 -- The Mindanao Business Networking Forum conducted by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on November 29 has generated significant interest among Malaysian businessmen and is expected to lead to sizeable investments in the region. Around 150 participants attended the forum at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, including MinDA Chairman Luwalhati Antonino, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Chairperson Hadja Bainon Karo...
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03Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 03 -- Eva Dominguez knew her husband Renato, one of three Filipino offshore oil workers seriously burned in the November 16 Gulf of Mexico fire, has made it out of the critical list when the 52-year-old pipefitter asked her for a kiss the other day. “When Rey gestured that he wanted a kiss, I knew the worst was over,” said Eva, a 49-year-old accountant and mother of three from Bataan. “I thank God for hearing the prayers of my family and the Filipino people.” It was ...
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30Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 30 -- The death toll in the November 16 explosion and fire that hit an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico has climbed to three after authorities positively identified the body recovered on Monday, November 26 (Tuesday in Manila) as that of a missing Filipino worker. In a Department of Foreign Affairs statement, Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose L. Cuisia said Jerome Malagapo became the third fatality in the accident that also claimed the lives of two other Filip...
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29Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 29 (PIA) -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has declared “no flying, sailing and fishing zones” off the eastern seaboard in Region 5, 8, and Caraga in connection with South Korea’s satellite launch today, November 29. In a press briefing at 2 p.m., NDRRMC Executive Director Usec. Benito Ramos announced that South Korea has not declared any cancellation or delay on the scheduled launch, which is expected between 3-6 p.m. (Philippine Standa...
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28Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 28 --- The Philippine Consulate General in Osaka successfully conducted its 2nd Seminar on Japan’s New Residency Management System in Nagoya City last November 18. The seminar was held in cooperation with the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau and Philippine Society in Japan (PSJ), a Filipino community organization based in the city. The seminar was attended by members of Nagoya’s Filipino community and those from neighboring prefectures in the Chubu region. Some members of Jap...
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27Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 27 -- In celebration of the 5th Firefighters Celebration of Litomerice, the Association for Restoration and Preservation of Historical Firefighting Traditions of the Czech Republic, presented the Awards for Cooperation and Support to several personalities and institutions, including the Philippine Embassy in Prague at the Royal Castle last November 16. Ambassador Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia received the award together with other awardees such as Jan Baxant, Bishop of Litoměřice; M...
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26Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 26 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that as a follow-up to the successful signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Embassy, in cooperation with the Putrajaya Chamber of Commerce, will be conducting the Mindanao Business Networking Forum on November 29 at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel. “Even since the signing of the Framework Agreement, t...
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22Nov2012GENEVA, Nov. 22 --The Philippines participated in the 24th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer held at the International Conference Center in Geneva (CICG) on November 12 to 16, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances which cause ozone depletion, is believed to be the most successful multilateral envi...
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21Nov2012BRUSSELS, Nov. 21 -- The Department of Agriculture, through the Office of the Agricultural Attaché in Brussels, spearheaded the staging of a Philippine food promotional event — Hapag Yaman: Top Chefs Working with the Best of Philippine Products — held October 22, 2012, at the Tour & Taxis - Entrepot Royal in Brussels, Belgium. ‘Hapag Yaman’ is part of the DA’s European Food Circuit Tour which presents Philippine agricultural products, in cooperation with the private sector, to the m...
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20Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 20 -- Three of the four Filipinos who were seriously burned in the explosion and fire that struck the offshore oil platform they were working on in the Gulf of Mexico remain in guarded condition, four days after the incident left one Filipino dead and another still missing, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. in a statement made the disclosure after he was briefed by officials of the Baton Rouge General ...
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19Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 19 -- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ordered yesterday, November 18, the deployment of rapid response teams (RRT) to Cairo, Egypt and Tel Aviv, Israel to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the Gaza Strip and Israel. The two teams, which will depart for their respective areas of assignment today, are tasked to assist in the possible evacuation of Filipinos caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and southern Israel. “The Government, through the Department o...
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17Nov2012GERMANY, Nov. 17 -- Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung), led by General Hans-Werner Wiermann, on October 29 to discuss the state of bilateral defense cooperation, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Ambassador Natividad personally thanked General Wiermann for the Ministry’s offer of training scholarships for Philippine military officers. The Ministry allocated slo...
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15Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 15 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto warned the public against a scam circulating by e-mail which offers Philippine nurses non-existent jobs in Toronto-based hospitals. The Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement said a report from the Consulate General revealed that the e-mail contained offers for work with Shouldice and other hospitals in Toronto. It invites nurses to “coaching interviews” conducted by staff of the said hospitals in Makati in preparation f...
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14Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 15 -- The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva called on States to ratify international instruments against human trafficking and other conventions to protect the rights of migrant and domestic workers during the recent 14th session of the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) held in Geneva from October 22 to November 5. At the UPR Session, the Philippines consistently encouraged States under review to ...
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14Nov2012MANILA, No. 14 -- The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi will facilitate the repatriation of three Filipino fishermen who were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel on October 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The three fishermen, identified as Frankley Serna, Mamerto de los Reyes and Epifanio Agting of Balayan, Batangas were aboard their individual fishing boats off the coast of the western part of Palawan Province on October 18 when bad weather prevented them from returning to their mothe...
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13Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 13 -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Center Director Kishore Rao presented a recognition of the Best Practice in World Heritage Management Award to Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Medina during the closing event of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention held on November 8 in Kyoto, Japan. Also present during the awarding were UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) Secretary General Virginia Mir...
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09Nov2012SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9 -- The Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Silicon Valley, the commercial section of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the representative office of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry in the US Pacific Northwest, today announced the inception of the US-Philippines Business Support and Information Technology Delivery Council. This is a consortium with Terranex LLC, Rendition Digital, Exist Global, Ionics, Orange & Bronze, Ayannah...
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07Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 7 -- Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he will travel to the Philippines on November 10, 2012. The visit will take place immediately following the Prime Minister’s six-day visit in India from November 3-9. He will be accompanied by Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, and Senator Tobias Enverga, a statement from the Canadian Embassy said. “Canada’s relations wit...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 6 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III conducted bilateral talks last November 05 with Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf at the sidelines of ASEM9 in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The two leaders agreed to convene the Philippines-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission (JEC) – a consultation mechanism to facilitate bilateral discussions on trade and investment cooperation. They also discussed Switzerland’s proposal for a free trade agreement with the E...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 6 -- The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations of Seton Hall University (SHU) have agreed to pursue cooperation that will help strengthen their respective institutions. FSI and SHU signed a memorandum of understanding last October 24 to formalize their cooperation agreement in a ceremony held at the SHU campus in New Jersey, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs s...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 5 -- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay embarked on a historic five-day visit to the Holy Land from October 23 to 28. The Israeli government was pleased to note that Vice President Binay was so far the highest Philippine official to have visited Israel in more than a decade. His visit gave a significant impetus and boost to Philippine relations with Israel. He brought with him a promise of closer cooperation on mutually beneficial areas, such as in the transfer of technology, peopl...
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05Nov2012MANILA, Nov 5 (PIA) -- United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Bureau of Economic Growth, Education and Environment Eric G. Postel is now in the country to help launch several new development projects. In a release by the United States Embassy in Manila, Postel will meet with top government officials, business chambers, and other stakeholders to discuss the US-Philippines Partnership for Growth (PFG). The said partnership was launched by U.S. Secr...
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02Nov2012MANILA, NOV. 2 (PIA)--Foreign household service workers in Hong Kong will get an increase in their monthly minimum allowable wage and monthly minimum food allowance. This, after Hong Kong Labor Department’s announcement that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is increasing the monthly minimum allowable wage (MAW) of foreign household service workers by HK$180, or 4.8 percent, from HK$3,740 to HK$3,920, and the monthly food allowance by HK$100, or 12.9 percent, from HK$775 to HK$875...
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01Nov2012MANILA, Nov 1 -- A 29-member Philippine Business Mission, headed by Undersecretary for Trade and Investment Cristino L. Panlilio of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), visited Ankara and Istanbul from October 3 to 8. Both Philippine and Turkish agencies and organizations, particularly the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, together with the DTI, the Turkish Ministry of Economy (MoE), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Philippines-Turkey Business Council (PTBC...
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31Oct2012MANILA, Oct 31 -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, presented a resolution proclaiming October 2012 as Filipino-American History Month in a presentation on October 30 during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration along Temple St. in downtown Los Angeles. Antonovich praised the Filipino-American community for its achievements, contributions and the 425 years of historical presence in the United States, th...
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30Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine government has extended sympathies and support to those affected by the Hurricane Sandy in the United States. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who are facing these difficult times, among them the Filipino-American community. The devastation caused by the storm continues to unfold, but we are confident that the resolve of the American people to overcome this catastrophe remains steadfast, strong, and unbending,...
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30Oct2012GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 30 -- Dr. June Caridad Pagaduan-Lopez was elected to the 25-member United Nations (UN) Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) at elections on October 25, during the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva cast the Philippine vote in the election...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- Muslim-Filipinos in Malaysia organized themselves by establishing a community association called the Union of Muslim Filipinos in Malaysia (UMFM) during a meeting held on October 20 at the Philippine Embassy’s Vista Community Hall and had the induction of its first set of officers on October 28 in the same venue. Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya administered the oath to its president, Jamel Cayamuddin, and the rest of the UMFM’s officers, namely: Mohamm...
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29Oct2012MANILA, Oct 29 -- Philippine-based Tagalog is the fastest-growing language in Canada, Statistics Cana said in its 2011 Census of Population: Linguistic Characteristics of Canadians. More than 200 languages were reported in the 2011 Census of Population as a home language or mother tongue, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. “The home languages showing the strongest growth between 2006 and 2011 were primarily Asian,” and the “the population that reported speakin...
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29Oct2012MANILA, Oct 29 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus, over the weekend, reported that 43 Filipinos will arrive in Manila on October 30, Tuesday, at 4 p.m. aboard Emirates flight EK 332, the The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. Upon their arrival, the total number of repatriates from Syria will have reached 2,878. The batch’s airfare was shouldered by the International Organization for Migration. Thirty-five other Filipinos in the embassy’s halfway house are also c...
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25Oct2012SAN FRANCISCO, United States of America, Oct 25 -- The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco participated in the “Great Shakeout Drill,” an earthquake readiness drill that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urged everyone to participate in at 10:18 a.m. of October 18. Consulate personnel and a few applicants practiced the survival technique known as “drop, cover and hold on” and then quickly made their way to the designated exit points, a statement from the Departmen...
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24Oct2012MANILA, Oct. 24 -- The very first full-size statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippine National Hero, in Southern California was finally unveiled in a grand ceremony held last September 29 at the International Sculpture Garden located in Carson City, California, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. A recitation of Rizal’s poem “My Last Farewell” and the re-enactment of his execution were highlights of the event. The highly awaited event was attended by officials from ...
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23Oct2012SEOUL, Korea, Oct 23 -- The Philippine Embassy in Seoul held an orientation-briefing for the members of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council of the Philippines (MSMEDC) on October 15 at the Philippine Embassy. The delegation composed of representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), University of the Philippines (UP) Institute for Small Scale Industries, Small Business Corporation, and the DeuthscheGesellscha...
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22Oct2012MANILA, Oct 22 -- The Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) visited the headquarters of the European Union Naval Force (Eunavfor) in Northwood, a borough in northern London, on October 16 to obtain information on counter-piracy operations off Somalia and establish a direct linkage with principal officials of Eunavfor. Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Enrique A. Manalo was accompanied by his political officers, Messrs. Francisco Noel Fernandez III and Marshall Louis Al...
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20Oct2012RUSSIA, Oct 20 -- Philippine dance and music made its way to Russia’s rich cultural environment as the country held, for the first time ever, “Days of Philippine Culture” in the Russian Federation. Through the talents of the Liceo Folkloric Dance Troupe, pianist Rudolf Golez and baritone John Pamintuan, Russians in Moscow and St. Petersburg were treated to three nights of Philippine dance and music and a slice of local color on October 8 to 10, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said...
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18Oct2012MANILA, Oct 18 -- The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted an “Evening with Dr. Gabriel Esteban” on October 11 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York, as part of the commemorative activities marking the celebration of Filipino-American History Month. Esteban is the first Filipino-American to hold the presidency of a major university in the United States (US). He is the 20th president of the prestigious Seton Hall University (SHU), one of the largest Catholic ...
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18Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 18 -- The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has filed a complaint in behalf of 10 Filipino workers against an erring employer before the Saudi Labor Office in Al Khobar while it continues to extend food and financial assistance to the affected workers. Fourteen other Filipino workers were also assisted in filing a complaint against their employer with the Saudi Labor Office, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, through the...
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17Oct2012GREECE, Oct 17 -- Three Philippine independent (indie) short films took part in three different film festivals in Greece last September and October. The film “Manenaya“ (Waiting) by indie director Richard Legaspi, participated in the competition program of the International Film Festival of Drama held from September 17 to 22 in Drama City (Northeastern Greece), a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. “Manenaya” is a story of a determined woman and her journey thr...
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16Oct2012GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 16 -- The Philippines has been recognized for its innovative and multi-sectoral efforts at advancing disaster risk reduction resilience as a leading global and regional advocate for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), celebrated in Geneva on October 12, cited the leadership and example of Filipinas in the DRR campaign, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). This year's IDDR theme, “Women and Girls-the (in)vi...
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15Oct2012BEIJING, China, Oct 15 -- The Philippine Embassy in Beijing joined 70 other embassies, international organizations and local companies on September 15 in Chaoyang Park for the much-anticipated and well-attended Annual International Charity Sale, “Love Knows No Borders,” organized by Madame Le Aimei, wife of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. The proceeds of this year’s charity bazaar are earmarked for the project, “Lifeline Express, a Mission of Light,” in which four hospital eye-t...
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13Oct2012MANILA, Oct. 12 -- The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Philippines participated with flair at the International Embroidery Festival 2012 organized by the National Crafts Council of Indonesia. The National Crafts Council of Indonesia is presided by Mrs. Herawati Boediono, spouse of Indonesian Vice President Boediono. In a statement, DFA said the festival was officially opened on October 5 by Indonesia’s First Lady Ani Bambang Yudhoyon...
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12Oct2012MANILA, Oct. 12 -- The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland successfully concluded the 2nd Philippine-Poland Political Consultation on October 11 at the Manila Diamond Hotel. The meeting of delegations headed by officials at the sub-ministerial level is held under the terms of the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism between the two countries. This year’s consultatio...
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12Oct2012PAGADIAN CITY, Oct 12 (PIA) -- At the fore of Hallyu’s phenomenon are the combined efforts of Korea Creative Contents Agency (KOCCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and Korea Foundation (KF) among others. Wikipedia said Hallyu (or Korean wave) refers to the significant increase in the popularity of South Korean entertainment and culture starting in the 1990s, in Asia, and more recently in other parts of the world. While KOCCA is focused in th...
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11Oct2012SILANG, CAVITE, OCTOBER 11 -- Developers and users of free and open source software for use in health centers around the world have assembled in Silang this week for the sixth annual OpenMRS Implementers Meeting. The event is being held at the Y.C. James Yen Center at the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and is hosted by the National Telehealth Center (NTHC) of the University of Philippines-Manila. OpenMRS (Medical Record System) is a patient-centric medical record applic...
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11Oct2012MANILA, Oct 11 -- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns Jose S. Brillantes headed the Philippine delegation to the Budapest Conference on Cyberspace on October 4 and 5 in Budapest, Hungary. The other members of the delegation were Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Eleanor L. Jaucian, First Secretary Patricia V. Barrera, Department of National Defense (DND) representatives, Director Nebuchadnezzar S. Alejandrino, Chief of Information Management Office (...
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11Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 11 (PIA) -- The Philippines is now a member of the World Health Organization-Asia Pacific Observatory (WHO-APO) Steering Committee on Health Systems and Policies, the Department of Health (DOH) announced. Launched June 2011, APO is a unique partnership of governments, development agencies and the research community with the goal of bridging researchers and policy-makers, producing high-quality evidence to inform health policy-making in the Asia Pacific region. As a member of t...
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10Oct2012GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 10 -- The Philippines has joined an initiative that will enable states to better address the increasing displacement of persons around the world due to natural disasters. The “Nansen Initiative” was presented on October 2 in Geneva during the annual Executive Committee meeting of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Spearheaded by Norway and Switzerland, this new initiative seeks to pursue a ...
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09Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 9 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino honored the awardees of the Engage for Peace, Equality, Access, Community and Empowerment (N-Peace) for building peace despite chaos and threats to their lives, in ceremonies held at the New World Hotel in Makati City today. “Instead of remaining victims or bystanders, the people we honor today have displayed an extraordinary strength in becoming catalysts to achieve and nurture peace,” Aquino said. The President said he was honored t...
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09Oct2012KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct 9 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said today that it has forged academic linkages with the Universiti Malaya (UM) during a courtesy call of Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya on UM Vice Chancellor Tan Sri Ghauth Jasmon at his office on September 25. “The Philippines and Malaysia are experiencing a renaissance in its bilateral relations and we are glad to have the university as partner in the strengthening of academic and educational linka...
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08Oct2012GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 8 -- The Philippines was lauded during the meeting of the 63rd Annual Session of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 87-member Executive Committee (ExCom) for its global and regional leadership in the advancement of the rights and welfare of refugees, the stateless, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The ExCom’s meeting was held in Geneva from October 1 to 5, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Philippin...
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08Oct2012TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct 8 (PIA) -- Filipino-American reporter Ryan Songalia, 25, won the media award for the prestigious Outstanding Filipino-Americans in New York (TOFA-NY). Ryan, boxing reporter for RingTV of Leyte descent, his father Jaime having come from Tanauan, Leyte, will receive his award on October 27 at the Weill Recital Hall of New York’s Carnegie Hall. He will share the spotlight with 11 other awardees in various fields of endeavor. “I've won the media award for the 2012 Out...
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05Oct2012DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct 5 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates posted 3,307 new Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registrants for the month of September, bringing its total number of new OAV registrations to 18,333, the highest in the Middle East and in the world. The Consulate is determined to secure as many new registrants as possible before the October 31 deadline, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Consulate will be open for OAV registration on...
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04Oct2012KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the world-renowned University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) will be in Malaysia to perform in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching later this month. They will perform at the Panggung Bandaraya (Kuala Lumpur Cultural Center) on the evening of October 23, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Expected to be present at the event are members of the Malaysian Cabinet, the diplomatic corps, pro...
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03Oct2012NEW ZEALAND, Oct 3 -- Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez graced the launching of The Filipino Channel (TFC) held at the Westlake Boys High School Auditorium in Auckland on September 15. Rocky Roxas, Managing Director of ABS-CBN Global in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific pointed out the importance of making TFC available to Filipinos in New Zealand as its newest sector in keeping with its mission of serving Filipinos worldwide and providing a channel for overse...
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02Oct2012MANILA, Oct. 2 -- The Philippines made its strongest principled case yet for the peaceful settlement of disputes, rallying the international community’s support to uphold dispute settlement principles and mechanisms as enshrined and identified in international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other relevant instruments such as the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes...
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02Oct2012RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 2 -- The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, in coordination with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh), held a financial literacy seminar for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on September 28. Welfare Officer Romeo Pablo said 53 OFWs who enrolled in the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) Tulay Program Computer Training Course, under OWWA’s Information Technology Program, attended the seminar at the POLO-OWWA Information Technology ...
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01Oct2012MANILA, Oct. 1 -- The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki reported that the Philippines proudly participated in one of the signature events held for the 2012 Helsinki World Design Capital celebrations in September 2012. The International Design House Exhibition (IDHE), “Everyday Discoveries,” is a comprehensive presentation of international design ideas and concepts by 20 participating countries from all over the world. The exhibition opened on September 5 and lasted for two weeks, drawing i...
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29Sep2012MANILA, Sept 29 (PIA) -- The United States Embassy in Manila will recognize four Filipino environmentalists today in recognition of their environmental activism and ingenuity. United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. will lead the event in honoring environmental activists and entrepreneurs who have each made a unique contribution in protecting the environment in the Philippines, a statement from the US Embassy said. The honorees include Candy Reyes, owner-operator of Cor...
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29Sep2012KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept 29 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has partnered with Indonesian Children Education Awareness Foundation, an Indonesian non-governmental organization (NGO), for the education of Filipino children in Sabah. The offer was conveyed to Philippine Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya by the foundation’s Executive Director Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah G. Atawuwur, who met with the Ambassador on September 19 to discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding between the Em...
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28Sep2012PISA, Italy, Sept 28 -- The Philippine Embassy in Rome held its sixth Consular outreach mission for 2012 by sending its Consular and overseas absentee voting (OAV) teams to the city of Pisa on September 9 in coordination with Filipino community leaders guided by Efren Mamplata. At the beginning of the outreach mission, Consul General Grace Cruz-Fabella and Mamplata asked for a moment of silence and led Embassy personnel, Filipino community organizers, volunteers and early applicants in the reci...
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27Sep2012PHILADELPHIA, United States, Sept 27 -- A forum on the emerging Philippine economy and investment opportunities for United States (US) companies was held at Temple University Fox Business School in Philadelphia on September 12. About 120 participants from Philadelphia’s business community and some representatives of government agencies, Temple University and Filipino-American community listened to the half-day presentation about the Philippines, an emerging economy described by the New York T...
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25Sep2012MANILA, Sept 25 -- The Philippines cited South Korea’s wide-ranging trade facilitation efforts in the official statement delivered by Ambassador Esteban B. Conejos, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), during the country’s Trade Policy Review held on September 19 and 21, statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. “The Philippines, being one of the active agricultural fresh product exporters to Korea welcomes this significant dev...
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25Sep2012MANILA, Sept. 25 -- The Social Security System (SSS) launched its new office in Dubai in a simple ceremony at the Consulate General’s premises, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emilio S. de Quiros Jr. lead the opening last September 21. In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Grace Relucio-Princesa emphasized the event’s importance as a start for Filipinos in Dubai and the Norther...
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24Sep2012TOKYO, Japan, Sept 24 -- The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo held its seventh mobile overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration on September 16, in conjunction with the celebration of the Hiratsuka Filipino Community Day. Philippine Consul General to Tokyo Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio met and addressed leaders and members of the Filipino community in Hiratsuka and interacted with the applicants for OAV registration, a release from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Sixty-nine applications...
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22Sep2012MANILA, Sept. 22 -- Filipinos working in Portugal will soon have the opportunity to receive their Portuguese Social Security benefits in the Philippines when they come back home. This is one of the benefits they will receive after the Social Security Agreement between the Philippines and Portugal was signed on September 14 in Lisbon, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The Agreement ensures equality of treatment, continuation of benefits of the social security rights of both Fil...
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21Sep2012MALAYSIA, Sept 21 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that more Filipinos in Malaysia are signing up for the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) for the 2013 Senatorial and Party-List Elections. As of September 16, the Embassy has signed up 1,666 new overseas absentee voters, a statement from the DFA said. It has also initiated and lined up several activities to encourage more voters to sign up as new voters. “We have set up mobile OAV r...
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20Sep2012MANILA, Sept. 20 -- The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced on September 19 an increase in the level of the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) and Food Allowance for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in the territory, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. FDHs’ MAW increased by HK$180 from HK$3,740 to HK$3,920 per month. If employers choose to provide their FDHs with a food allowance in lieu of free food, the said allowance will be increased b...
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19Sep2012DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept 19 -- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay made a stop-over in Dubai on June 23 on his way home from Saudi Arabia, where he personally extended the Philippine’s condolences for the death of Saudi Crown Prince Nayef. Binay spoke and listened to the wards of the Filipino Workers Rehabilitation Center (FWRC) and headed to Fujairah to visit the Filipino community there, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. He also visited two Filipino seafar...
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18Sep2012TEHRAN, Iran, Sept 18 -- Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis headed the Philippine delegation to the bilateral meeting on the fourth Philippine-Iran Joint Consular Consultation Meeting (JCCM) in Tehran, Iran on September 15 and 16. Seguis met with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 15, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In his meeting with Salehi, Seguis requested Iran’s support for the Philippine bid fo...
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17Sep2012HANOI, Vietnam, Sept 17 -- A Philippine puppetry group, Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas (SPP), composed of Danilo Liwanag, the artistic director, Juancho Lunaria, ventriloquist and Sam Fuentes, puppeteer, represented the Philippines at the third International Marionette Festival held in Hanoi, Vietnam from September 4 to 9. The Filipino puppeteers briefed Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril Santos about their art and their performances in Vietnam when they called on him at the embassy o...
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16Sep2012WASHINGTON DC, United States, Sept 16 -- The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. is co-hosting the screening of "Busong," an indigenous film from Palawan directed by Auraeus Solito at the National Geographic All Roads Film Festival on September 27. Busong is described as a mystical drama, where a determined young man carries his sister, unable to walk, on a fateful journey to see a healer, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. It is the first feature film coming from...
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15Sep2012SHANGHAI, China, Sept 15 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Shanghai, in coordination with the European Chamber Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) facilitated and supported the participation of eight Philippine furniture manufacturers in Furniture China 2012, which is currently being held in Shanghai from September 11 to 15. Philippine furniture manufacturers, five from Cebu and three from Cavite and Pampanga, have joined the...
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14Sep2012YOKOHAMA, Japan, Sept 14 -- Some 30,000 to 50,000 guests filled Yamashita Park in Yokohama City to take part in the successfully-concluded Philippine Festival Barrio Fiesta (PBF) 2012 on September 1 and 2, despite the intermittent summer rains. The Barrio Fiesta 2012, organized by the Filipino Community in Japan, with the co-sponsorship of the Yokohama City, with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan, was held after a hiatus of five y...
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14Sep2012MANILA, Sept. 14 -- The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand donated US$100,000 to the Government of the Philippines for the victims of the southwest monsoon flooding last August. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario received the donation from Chargé d’ Affaires Thanis Na Songkhla of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila during a turnover ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs on September 13, a statement from the Foreign Affairs department. The donation will be forwarded to t...
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13Sep2012MANILA, Sept 13 (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today issued a statement condemning the killing of United States Ambassador Chris Stevens and his embassy staff in Benghazi, Libya. “We are outraged by the horrific criminal and senseless act of violence in Benghazi which should be condemned by the international community,” DFA said. The DFA considered the violence as “a serious violation of long standing norms of international law with deep historical roots that diplomatic...
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13Sep2012SOUTH AFRICA, Sept 13 -- Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Constancio R. Vingno Jr. met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Management Team of Exxaro Resources, a large coal and heavy minerals mining company in South Africa on September 6. Ambassador Vingno made a brief presentation about mining in the Philippines before the CEO and his team, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. The company was established in 2006 and is the second-largest coal producer in...
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12Sep2012MANILA, Sept 12 (PIA) -- The head of the United Nations (UN) refugee agency and that body’s special envoy, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, visited a camp in Jordan, where they met some of the thousands of people that have crossed the border to escape the violence in Syria. High Commissioner António Guterres and Jolie visited the Za’atri refugee camp, located in a desert region near the Syrian border and currently holding arond 28,000 refugees, out of 85,000 Syrians who are currently regi...
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11Sep2012CZECH REPUBLIC, Sept 11 -- Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, together with Cultural Officer Ramon A. Gaspar and Finance Officer Lourdes Francis Morallos, attended the STYL Kabo Trade Fair on August 20 at the Brno Exhibition Center, upon the Invitation of the BVV Trade Fairs Organizer, Brno. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affair (DFA) said products such as men’s and ladies apparel and leather goods were among those exhibited during the fair. Asi...
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10Sep2012MANILA, Sept 10 -- The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) congratulates the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) for winning the “People’s Choice” award in the “Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World” contest of the United Nations (UN) Women on August 31. EILER’s “Project Stitch” is intended to become a livelihood project for women workers who used to work in the garment industry. In the “Tinig ng Kababaihan” (Voices of Women) radio progra...
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10Sep2012SYRIA, Sept 10 (PIA) -- More Filipinos continue to arrive home from the strife-torn country Syria after Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario’s recent visit to Syria. Eleven Filipinos arrived on September 9 and five more are due to arrive in Manila on Tuesday, September 11 at 1635H, on board Emirates flight EK 332, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. This will bring the total number of repatriates to 2,140. The Philippine Embassy in Damascus led by Chargé...
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10Sep2012SYRIA, Sept 10 -- Some 280 Filipinos will arrive from Syria tomorrow, September 11. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement that the repatriation is in line with the efforts of the Philippine government and as a direct result of the most recent visit of DFA Secretary Albert F. del Rosario to Syria. The repatriates will arrive in two batches. The first batch, composed of 263 Filipinos will arrive in Manila at 7:30 a.m. on board a chartered Jordan Aviation Airlines flight wit...
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08Sep2012MANILA, Sept. 8 – A Filipino-Canadian has been appointed to the Senate of Canada. A Department of Foreign Affairs statement said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced on September 7 the appointment of Filipino-Canadian Tobias C. Enverga Jr. to the Senate of Canada effective immediately. Senator Enverga was one of five distinguished Canadians joining the 105-seat Senate of Canada where they are expected to serve until the age of 75. Senator Enverga fills one of two vacant seats f...
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07Sep2012MANILA, Sept 7 -- The next regular session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, which is set to review the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines, will be webcast on UN Television at www.webtv.un.org. The Human Rights Council will hold its 21st regular session from September 10 to 28 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, during which it will hear presentations from 19 independent human rights experts and bodies and hold panels and discussions on gender integratio...
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06Sep2012NIGERIA, Sept. 6 -- Pusong Pinoy Association (PPA) in Nigeria turned over to the Philippine Embassy officials in Nigeria their donation for flood victims in the Philippines. PPA President John Eugene R. Hernandez, accompanied by the Association’s Treasurer, Ms. Mercy Subibe, public relations officers (PROs) Jumar Valenzuela and Engelbert Llames, turned over to Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid on September 3 the PPA’s cash donation for the benefit of the victims of the rece...
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05Sep2012MANILA, Sept. 5 -- Hundreds of Filipinos led by Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez and Philippine Embassy personnel in Wellington welcomed Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Legends Team to their first ever series of basketball games in New Zealand held from August 18 to 26. Philippine basketball greats, namely Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio, Jojo “Mr. Clutch” Lastimosa, Vince “The Prince” Hizon, Allan “The Triggerman” Caidic, Johnny “The Flying A...
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04Sep2012ISTANBUL, Turkey, Sept 4 -- Members of Team Philippines, who are competing at the 40th World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, which will be held from August 28 to September 10, arrived in Istanbul on August 27. The contingent was led by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Executive Director Grand Master (GM) Jayson Gonzales, head coach of Team Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a press statement. DFA said Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Marilyn J. Alarilla ...
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03Sep2012MANILA, Sept 3 -- A group of young Filipino scientists participated for the first time in the 2012 Asian Science Camp (ASC) in Jerusalem on August 26 to 31, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Junior students John Keith Magali and Rovi Angelo Villaos and sophomore students Nicole Olayres and Shereyl Daguinod are all taking BS Applied Physics at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Los Baños, Laguna. Professor Lou Serafin M. Lozada accomp...
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01Sep2012MANILA, Sept 1 -- The Philippines scored a clean sweep of all age categories during the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Veterans Basketball Invitational Tournament held at the National Indoor Stadium and Multipurpose Hall in Berakas, Brunei Darussalam on August 23 to 26. In a report by the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippines, represented by teams from the Filipino Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA),...
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31Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 31 -- Governments began meeting in Bangkok yesterday to prepare decisions that they will take at the next United Nations climate change conference in Doha. “Governments have promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions and help the poor and vulnerable adapt to climate change. They know they must implement these promises fully, raise their efforts before 2020 and redouble those efforts again after 2020,” said Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framewo...
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30Aug2012MANILA, Aug 30 -- The more than a century-old Chancery of the Embassy of the Philippines located at 50 Hobson Street in Thorndon, Wellington now sports a new, brighter and more presentable look inside and outside after undergoing some major repairs, repainting and decoration for the past months. The building, which was owned and occupied by the Philippine Embassy since October 1976, lies alongside with the French Embassy and the Mexican Embassy Residence, the Cuban Embassy and the Australian Hi...
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28Aug2012MANILA, Aug 28 -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called for a total global ban on all nuclear test explosions, saying that existing voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests are not a good enough substitute in observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests on August 29. “Nuclear tests remain a threat to human health and global stability,” said Ban. He said, “The International Day against Nuclear Tests is an important opportunity to call attention to thei...
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26Aug2012KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 26 -– The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that a former overseas Filipino worker based in Penang emerged as the winner of “Pinoy Idol Malaysia 2012” during its Grand Finals held at the Embassy gazebo on August 19. A DFA statement said, twenty-nine-year-old Day Grace Salunga bested 11 other singers with her dramatic rendition of the Filipino classic “Nandito Ako”, and won 5,000 ringgit and a trophy for her performance. Second place honors went ...
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19Aug2012MANILA, Aug. 19 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus led by Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Alfredo M. Borlongan reported that 14 Filipinos, including two minors, will be arriving in Manila from Syria today, August 19. This is still part with of the repatriation efforts of the Philippine Government said a DFA statement. Emirates flight EK 332 carrying the latest batch of repatriates will land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4:35 in the afternoon. This will bring the total number o...
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19Aug2012TOMOHON, Indonesia, Aug. 19 --The Philippine delegation participated in the first ever Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) 2012 last August 8. The Philippine float was one among four other countries which had floats, including the United States (US), France, the Netherlands, and North Korea. Provinces, towns, cities, government agencies, and local non-government organizations (NGOs) also had floats made of flowers, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The Philipp...
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18Aug2012TOKYO, Japan, Aug 12 -- Japanese investors’ keen interest in the Philippines’ Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program was once again affirmed with the successful staging of a PPP Seminar at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Japan Center in Tokyo on August 2. Organized by the PPP Center and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the seminar was attended by around 50 participants representing major Japan...
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16Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 16 (PIA) -- Seven Filipino workers in distress in Lebanon were repatriated through the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut. Labor Attaché Irma Valiente and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) officer Edwin Batallones sent off the workers at the Rafic Hariri International Airport. They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on August 14, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Four of the repatriates are wards at the Embassy’s Mi...
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14Aug2012DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug 14 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus has safely sent 23 Filipinos home from strife-torn Syria. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 10 repatriates, including two minors, arrived in Manila on August 7; one (1) on August 8; four (4) on August 9 and eight (8) on August 12. Most of the repatriates are from the Syrian capital Damascus and from Aleppo, one of the cities worst-hit by recent violence. As of August 13, the Philippine government has repa...
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09Aug2012MANILA, Aug 9 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that it organized a fund drive among its officers and staff for the victims of Typhoon Gener (international name Saola) and the effects of the southwest monsoon, which affected the country. “The Filipino spirit of bayanihan lives on among us Filipinos, even if we are far from home. Embassy officers and staff did not hesitate to dig into their pockets to help out those in need,”...
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13Jul2012MANILA, July 13 -- United States (US) State Secretary Hillary Clinton urged ASEAN "to clearly outline its position on the Scarborough Shoal" and "to complete a regional Code of Conduct in a timely fashion" during Wedneday's ASEAN-US Ministerial Meeting which she co-chaired with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. Clinton's statement came on the heels of Secretary del Rosario's declaration that the current situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) deserves urgent attenti...
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09Jul2012DAMASCUS, Syria, July 9 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus has assisted four children, two of them eight years old, while the others, 11 and 15, to escape the turmoil in Syria and start life anew in the Philippines. Three of them are children of a former Filipino community leader, while one was born to a Filipino mother and a Syrian father, a press statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. DFA said the kids will be arriving in Manila on July 10, Tuesday, together with six...
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06Jul2012MANILA, July 6 -- The Philippines, joined by Germany, led 68 other countries on July 5 in successfully pushing for the adoption of a United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council resolution on access to effective remedies of trafficked victims, including their right to effective remedies for human rights violations. Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Geneva, Ambassador Evan Garcia, told the Human Rights Council in his sponsorship statement that "trafficking in persons remains a...
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05Jul2012MANILA, July 5 -- The Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the New Zealand-Philippines Business Council (NZPBC) jointly hosted the meeting and networking between the Philippine delegation to the second Philippine Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Partnership Opportunity Mission to Auckland and representatives of Philippine companies in the information and communications technology (ICT), software services and business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors. The Department of Foreign Af...
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04Jul2012SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, July 5 (PIA) -- The United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy, a floating hospital on a four-month Asian tour-of-duty, docked on Monday at the Alava Pier in Subic for a six-day humanitarian mission. The US Embassy in Manila said in a statement that the USNS Mercy is in Subic Bay as part of the Philippine leg of the Pacific Partnership 2012. The partnership is a US Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance program held annually. The Pacific Partnership program brings toget...
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19Jun2012DAMASCUS, Syria, June 19 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus is helping a 12-year-old boy live a normal life in the Philippines. The boy, who was born in Syria to two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), sought the Embassy's assistance so he could continue his studies in the Philippines, away from the current turmoil in Syria, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a press release. He is among the 28 repatriates who will arrive in Manila this evening, June 19. A total of 31 more overse...
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06Jun2012SYRIA, June 6 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reported that the Philippine Embassy in Damascus has repatriated 70 overseas Filipino workers from Syria. From May 24 to June 4, a steady stream of female repatriates has been arriving in Manila on board various flights, according to a press release posted in the DFA website. Another batch of 14 OFWs have also arrived on June 5, on board Emirates flight EK 334 and nine more are due to arrive in Manila on Thursday, June 7, via Emirate...
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30May2012QUEZON CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- The Philippines will be joining other Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in calling for collective action to conclude the Doha trade negotiations during the APEC’s Ministers Responsible for Trade this June 4 and 5 at Kazan, Russia. The meeting will discuss the state of play in the Doha Development Agenda at the World Trade Organization. DTI undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. said the Philippines will contribute...
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29May2012MANILA, May 29 (PIA) -- Armed violence in all its forms in Syria must cease at once. This was the statement made by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in a May 27 letter to Agshin Mehdiyev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations and President of the Security Council, following the recent massacre of almost 100 people, including women and children, in the El-Houleh area in Homs province. He called on the Syrian government to cease from using heavy weapons in po...
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28May2012QUEZON CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) will launch the nationwide “BATANG MALAYA: Child labour free Philippines” campaign on June 26, 2012, Tuesday at the Fun Ranch Tiendesitas Frontera Verde Ortigas Avenue corner C5 in Pasig City. A press release from the International Labour Organization (ILO) said the campaign will be launched exactly two weeks after the June 12 World Day against Child Labour. ILO said the campaign will support the Philippines’ commit...
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21May2012MANILA, May 21 -- A new batch of 23 female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Syria is scheduled to arrive in Manila tomorrow, May 22, on board Emirates Airlines flight EK 334, in addition to the 25 others who had been repatriated May 14 according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. In a press release on its website, the DFA said seven of the repatriates are from Homs, while one is from Hama, two of the governorates worst-hit by violence. The repatriates were given refuge in the Philippin...
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14May2012MANILA, May 14 -- The world-renowned Bayanihan Dance Company of the Philippines impressed its audience with their performance at the Orpheum Theater of Memphis, Tennessee last May 10. The performance forms part of the month-long Memphis in May Festival. The theater was nearly filled to capacity as both Filipino Americans and Americans living in Tennessee and nearby states trouped to watch the multi-awarded cultural dance group, a release from DFA said. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez was pres...
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07May2012SYRIA, May 7 – A total of 21 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Syria will arrive in Manila tomorrow, May 8 on board Emirates Airlines flight EK 332, according to a press release by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). DFA said a total of 48 OFWs also arrived home since April 30 bringing the total number of repatriates to 1,413 as of May 07. The Philippine Embassy in Damascus is renewing its appeal to Filipinos in Syria to avail of its mandatory evacuation program as tensions in the c...
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27Apr2012MANILA, April 27 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus’ repatriation operations continue with a total of 23 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from April 21 to 26, said the Department of Foreign Affairs. According to a press release by the DFA, 23 more will arrive today, April 27. A five-man augmentation team composed of Manila-based personnel was also sent to Syria to help in the repatriation efforts. This is in addition to the Rapid Response Team earlier sent by the Philippine Go...
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24Apr2012MANILA, April 24 -- Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is providing CDN$ 1 million (approx. PhP 43 million) in assistance to residents of Central Mindanao. The funding is part of the World Food Programme (WFP)’s Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations (PRRO) project that aims to assist internally-displaced persons, returnees, and other resource-challenged households in conflict-affected communities in Central Mindanao.,a release from the Canadian embassy s...
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23Apr2012MANILA, April 23 (PIA) -- Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Cesar V. Purisima has released a statement congratulating newly-elected World Bank president Dr. Jim Yong. “We congratulate Dr. Jim Yong Kim for his election as the new president of World Bank." The Philippines assured Dr. Kim of its continued support to the multilateral agency under his leadership as the Bank moves to ensure that sustainable and inclusive growth is experienced across all nations," Purisima said in his statemen...
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19Apr2012MANILA, April 19 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus is exerting all efforts to mount daily repatriations and bring more of our kababayans out of harm's way. Since the violence in Syria began to escalate, the Embassy has successfully brought over a thousand Filipinos back to the Philippines despite logistical challenges. Airline seats have been difficult to come by as the exodus of foreigners, particularly Filipinos and Indonesians, grow. “Most of our repatriates fly to Dubai or Abu Dhabi...
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11Apr2012JAKARTA, April 11 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Two strong aftershocks measuring 6.5 and 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province on Wednesday, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said here. Earlier, a massive earthquake measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale jolted off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia at 15:38 local time (8:38 GMT) and prompted panic among people living in Aceh, West Sumatra and Bengkulu provinces. According to Metro TV, the stro...
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10Apr2012DAMASCUS, Syria, April 5 -- There's no let up in the repatriation efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus led by Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. Olivia V. Palala. While most Filipinos are taking a break in observance of Holy Week, the Embassy continues its repatriation efforts in strife-torn Syria. Another batch of six OFWs will arrive in Manila on April 5, Maundy Thursday, and five more on April 6, Good Friday, on board the Emirates Airlines flights. This brings the total number of repatriates...
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03Apr2012PHNOM PENH, April 3 (PIA) -- If the queue of European and ASEAN businessmen waiting to hand in their calling cards to a senior economic advisor to President Thein Sein was an indicator, it appeared to show high interest in doing business in Myanmar. Winston Set Aung was one of two resource speakers from Myanmar at a special forum at the B2B meeting hosted by the European Chamber of Cambodia and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce on the last day of the ASEAN-EU Business Summit at the Hotel Sofit...
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02Apr2012PHNOM PENH, April 2 (PIA) -- Trade between ASEAN and the European Union grew by 21.5 percent, amounting to US$208.6 billion in 2010 despite the financial crises in Europe, according to EU and ASEAN officials here. A statement issued Sunday at the end of the meeting between ASEAN Economic ministers and the EU trade commissioner Karel de Gucht also noted that the EU continues to be ASEAN’s second largest trading partner and the biggest source of investments. “Europe’s economy has only bee...
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02Apr2012PHNOM PENH, April 2 (PIA) -- The European Union trade chief said Sunday that foreign ministers of the regional bloc will take up lifting of sanctions against Myanmar when it meets on April 23 in Brussels to consider the outcome of Sunday’s by-elections. “Provided that (the election) was free and fair, there is a good chance substantive action will be taken,” EU Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht said in a press conference at the end of the EU-ASEAN Business Summit here. De Gucht how...
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30Mar2012PHNOM PENH, March 30 -– After a full briefing by the ASEAN Secretariat team that arrived in Yangon on 28 March, the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, today said, "We welcome Myanmar's initiative in inviting its ASEAN neighbours, dialogue partners and international organisations to observe its by-elections. We are pleased to be here to lend our support to this very significant political process. This significant political process which, we hope, will contribute further to national r...
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28Mar2012SINGAPORE, Mar. 28 -- The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSEi) and Bloomberg L.P., a multinational financial news corporation held a PSE Roadshow at the Bloomberg Auditorium in Singapore on March 15. Entitled “Eye on the Philippines,” the roadshow drew close to a hundred attendees from Singapore-based banks, asset managers and investment houses, according to a press release by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Trade and Industry undersecretary Cristino Panlilio opened the event with his...
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26Mar2012MANILA, Mar. 26 (PIA) -- A delegation composed of officials from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) met with top Chinese sports officials and visited key sports facilities and institutions in China during a working visit from March 19 to 23. The visit of Philippine sports officials to China is a result of the Philippines-China Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sports Cooperation signed during President Benigno S. Aquino's state visit to China i...
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23Mar2012MANILA, Mar. 23 (PIA) -- The Philippines and Kuwait will seal several agreements during the five-day state visit of Kuwait’s Amir, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber, to further cement the growing relations between the two countries. Sheikh Sabah will arrive in the country Friday afternoon and will meet with President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Malacanang Palace for a courtesy call and bilateral meeting. Among the agreements to be signed by the two countries include: Memorandum of...
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20Mar2012MANILA, March 20 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou expresses concern over the continuing arrests of Filipinos for drug-smuggling in Hong Kong and Macau SAR despite the execution of four Filipino nationals in mainland China in March and December 2011. The Consulate noted that the four Filipinos arrested in Hong Kong from July to November 2011 were actually bound for Guangzhou and Guangxi where the penalty in case of conviction for drug-smuggling is death. On February 1, 20...
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20Mar2012TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 20 (PIA) -- The Deutsche Geseilschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit better known as GIZ has poured in some P12 million for projects of identified local government units (LGUs) in Leyte Island, under the Enhancement of Food Security (EFOS)Project in the Visayas, a component of the Environment and Rural Development Program of GIZ. In a document furnished by GIZ, GIZ though fund sources from the European Union poured in a total of P12, 840,193 w...
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19Mar2012MANILA, March 19 (PIA) -- The Command General Staff College (CGSC) Class 55 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arrived in Beijing last March 18 for a five-day visit to call on senior military officials of the People's Liberation Army and to tour military facilities in Beijing and Shanghai. The 148-member delegation, composed mostly of middle ranking officials (lieutenant colonel rank) from the Philippine Army, Navy and Air Force, was led by Col. Ramon Loria Prof, Head of the ...
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15Mar2012MANILA, March 15 -- The Government of Canada has made a contribution of CDN$ $20,000 (approx. PhP 900 thousand pesos) to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) for the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook the Visayas last month, an embassy statement said. The IFRC launched a disaster relief operation fund to support the Philippine National Red Cross in assisting 22,500 individuals affected by the earthquake. The contribution will focus on deli...
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15Mar2012Manila, March 15 -- The Philippine Embassy has actively marketed Philippine tourism during a Cultural Night at the Kailash Mital Theatre of the Carleton University in Ontario, Canada on March 2. In his remarks, Philipippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie B. Gatan put the spotlight on the Philippines against the backdrop of a rising Asia. Making use of the Department of Tourism's new "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign, he touted the famed Filipino hospitality and enthusi...
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13Mar2012Manila, March 12 -- The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador to Belgium Victoria S. Bataclan, facilitated the organization meeting and induction rites of the 1st Filipino Nurses Association in Belgium (FILNABEL) at the Embassy Hall of Presidents in Brussels on February 26. Twenty-one nurses deployed from the Philippines, including Filipino nurses who studied and were hired in Belgium and those nurses who are employed in other occupations, attended the event. Filipino scholars ...
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12Mar2012The spired dome and the four surrounding slender minarets gleamed against a backdrop of soft, blue sky. The white marbled monument towered over a vast, landscaped garden ringed by red, columned arcades. Spread out in the center is a long, clear pool on which the Taj Mahal’s reflection shimmered, a mirror fit for the statuesque queen of architecture. With an average of 8 million visitors per year or 25,000 per day, the 363-year old Taj Mahal has long been the crowning glory of India....
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11Mar2012MANILA, March 11 -- The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that two charity events were held in Brunei in February for the benefit of the victims of tropical storm Sendong (Washi). One was a Charity Golf Tournament held from February 25 to 26 at the Jerudong Golf and Country Club participated in by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Brunei government officials, and other sponsors. In his speech before fellow golf enthusiasts, Phi...
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08Mar2012NEW YORK, March 8 -- The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the UN Global Compact will lead 200 business leaders and representatives from civil society, governments and the UN in observing the second anniversary this year of the launch of the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a roadmap for business to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community, according to a press release by United Nations Information Center in Manila. &nbs...
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05Mar2012MANILA, Mar. 5 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has ordered the Philippine Embassy in Damascus to further hasten the repatriation of Filipinos in Syria with the on-going tactical withdrawal of rebel forces from their stronghold in Homs, and the possible establishment of a humanitarian corridor in the said country. "I have instructed the Embassy to take advantage of the lull in the fighting to extract all Filipinos from the conflict areas of Homs, Hama, Idlib and Dara'a,&q...
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05Mar2012BANGKOK, March 5 -- United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines, Jacqui Badcock, and donor representativeshave travelled to areas severely affected by Tropical Storm Washi in Northern Mindanao 10 weeks after the crisis to draw attention to the challenges for an early and sustainable recovery. During the two-day joint mission on February 28 and 29, the delegation comprising representatives from Australia, Canada, Japan, Spain and USA visited Iligan and Cagayan de Oro citie...
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28Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 28 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus repatriated a total of 1,008 Filipino nationals, who availed of the Philippine Government's offer to repatriate them to the Philippines, since the beginning of unrests in Syria. The figure included the new batch of 35 Filipino nationals, all women, who arrived in Manila on two separate Emirates Airlines flights on February 26. Initially, there were 36 Filipino nationals who were due to arrive yesterday but one of them was n...
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28Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 28 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that another batch of 27 Filipinos, who availed of the Philippine Government's offer to repatriate them to the Philippines, will arrive in Manila today, February 28, via Emirates Airlines (EK) flight no. 334. The 27 Filipinos, all female, are distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were temporarily sheltered at the Embassy's halfway house while negotiations with their Syrian...
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27Feb2012DAGUPAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) has assured the public that no Filipinos were harmed by the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Taiwan 10:34 a.m. (same time here) on February 26. Former Urdaneta City Mayor and MECO Chief Amadeo R. Perez Jr. said in a radio interview over Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan on Monday that the temblor only caused minor damage to properties, but no injuries were reported. The earthquake caused a temporary stop of ...
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27Feb2012DIPOLOG CITY, FEB. 27 (PIA) -- The two cities and 11 municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte continue to benefit from the various livelihood programs implemented through the Regional Livelihood and Fisheries Program in the province. The program is funded by the Kingdom of Spain, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation, and in coordination with the Bureau of Food and Aquatic Resources(BFAR). Former BFAR Regional Director and now consu...
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22Feb2012QUEZON CITY, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Philippine Community Council (PCC) of New South Wales has presented a check worth A$5,764 (PhP260,508) to Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis on February 17 as donation for the victims of tropical storm Sendong (Washi), according to a release by the DFA. The amount was raised through a benefit concert dubbed "Bukas Palad," which PCC organized o...
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22Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- The Philippines’ long-standing relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has improved significantly, a statement posted on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) website said. It said that the country has evolved from being a prolonged user of IMF resources to a holder of a creditor (or reserve) position in the IMF through its participation in the latter's Financial Transactions Plan (FTP). In 2010, the Philippines, through the B...
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17Feb2012BANGALORE, Feb. 17 (PIA) --- To advance its connectivity with the rest of the South Asia region, India is aggressively pursuing infrastructure development across its landlocked country by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP). Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of India’s Planning Commission, told journalists who were in India for the 2012 ASEAN-India Media Exchange Program, that the Indian government has just recently opened its doors to the private sector in implementing t...
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14Feb2012QUEZON CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that a new batch of 37 Filipinos, who availed of the Philippine Government's offer to repatriate them to the Philippines, will arrive today at Flight 1615H via Etihad Airways. Embassy Charge d' Affaires Olivia V. Palala stated that all of the 37 Filipinos are women. Twenty of these Filipinos, who were overstaying workers, were kept in Kaffarseuseh detention while...
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14Feb2012NEW DELHI, Feb. 14 (PIA) --- A former country economist for the Philippines is pushing for the breakdown of trade barriers and the development of “more trust” between India and its Asian neighbors for greater integration within the region. Isabel Guerrero, one of the panelists during the first session of the Delhi Dialogue IV here and currently the Vice President of the World Bank Group South Asia Region, lamented that countries within South Asia Region (SAR) alone have begu...
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14Feb2012BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The remains of an OFW who worked in Lebanon arrived Monday in Bancasi Airport here. Juvelyn Numeral Concon from Brgy. Sibulan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur was working as a household service worker. She was among the three OFWs who were killed when a commercial establishment in Lebanon collapsed on January 15, 2012 at around 6:00 p.m. The names of her two companions were withheld due to their undocumented status in Lebanon. Accor...
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10Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 10 -- The Government of Canada announced Thursday, Feb. 9 additional support to flood-affected victims in the Philippines, completing the full disbursement of funds originally announced in January, 2012. "Canada is continuing to help the people of the Philippines, who are still in need of emergency humanitarian assistance due to the effects of Tropical Storm Sendong and resulting flash floods," said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International...
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10Feb2012QUEZON CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Beirut repatriated 53 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in distress from Lebanon, almost all of whom have defied the deployment ban. The OFWs departed Beirut on February 06 and were sent off by Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, POLO Labor Attaché Maria Salome Mendoza, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Welfare Officer Aquilina Tarrobago and Embassy Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer Ed...
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10Feb2012QUEZON CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, a multi-awarded Filipino historian best known for his writings on Dr. Jose Rizal, delivered a well-received and widely-applauded lecture on February 2 at the Biblioteca Nacional de España (BNE) in Madrid. The lecture was part of the conference series organized by the BNE to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Rizal. In his lecture, Professor Ocampo noted that Dr. Rizal is not well-known as a writer i...
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09Feb2012NEGROS ORIENTAL, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro travels to the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia to consult on bilateral security on February 8-16. In a press statement from US Embassy, Shapiro will consult senior civilian and military officials to further enhance broad defense and security cooperation for the mutual benefit of the United States and the Philippines, building on consultations from the recent U.S....
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08Feb2012CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 8 -- The United States Embassy in Manila sent its condolences to the victims of the recent earthquake near Dumaguete City and lauded the dedication and skills of government and private organizations that are assisting the victims of the disaster. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Leslie Bassett said the Embassy of the United States offers its condolences to all those affected by the recent earthquake and the following aftershocks near Dumaguete. ...
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07Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- To usher in the year's activities, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney and the Rizal Park Movement organized a mass officiated by Fr. Christopher Sarkis at the Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Rosemeadow, Campbelltown, in New South Wales on January 28. The mass was followed by the blessing of the nearby Rizal Park, where members of the Filipino community also gathered for a family picnic. In his homily, Fr. Sarkis expressed admirati...
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01Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Singapore reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Bayanihan spirit shone through once again in Singapore in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao. Filipinos and Singaporeans alike came together to extend their sympathy and assistance for the victims of the typhoon. The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) was one of the first responders, sending a six-person team to the Philippines on Dec. 21 to a...
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01Feb2012MANILA, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) assisted and provided consular services to the 296 Filipino seafarers of MV Costa Concordia last January 28. Many of the Filipino crewmen, who displayed courage and dedication in assisting and looking after the ship's passengers, lost their passports during the tragedy. MV Costa Concordia capsized off the coast of Grosseto, Italy, last January 13. In a statement issued on January...
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27Jan2012The destitutes of this city and from elsewhere in the province, have been receiving free physical check-up, dental, and surgical services, including medicines, courtesy of a medical mission held this week. The mission, dubbed “Gasa Para sa Katawhan sa Southern Leyte” (a gift for the people of Southern Leyte), was spearheaded by Rep. Roger Mercado, his wife Luz, and supported by the Limasawa Development Foundation (LIDEF), and the local governments of the city and the p...
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26Jan2012TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan 26 (PIA) -- A group of Filipinos working in one company in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed the hat to help the victims of tropical storm Sendong in Mindanao. Alex Bello, president of OFW Congress in Saudi Arabia, informed the Philippine Information Agency, that 72 Filipinos working at ABB Contracting Co. Ltd. In Riyadh donated some SAR.9, 200 which is equivalent to P 105,504, for “kababayans” who were victims of Sendong. The c...
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17Jan2012HARBIN, Jan. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 31 others were injured following a carbon monoxide gas leak in a steel company in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, late Monday night, local authorities confirmed Tuesday. The leak happened at 9:30 p.m. in Acheng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. in Acheng district, said a spokesman for the district government in a press release. The injured are receiving treatment in hospitals and one remained in crit...
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05Mar2011CAPAS, Tarlac, March 5 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III today led the culmination of the disposal of some 400,000 pounds of leftover ordnances used during the World War II. The President detonated the last two pallets of 287-pound Mk 6 depth charges and two pallets of 190-pound Mk 9 depth charges using a radio firing device some 1.6 kilometer away from the blast range at Crow Valley, this town. The exercise which was spearheaded by the Naval Special Operations Grou...
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05Mar2011CAPAS, Tarlac, March 5 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III will witness the blasting of the remaining explosive remnants of war (ERW) amassed at the Caballo Island. The ceremony will be held today at the 6015th Range Management Squadron Observation Post, Crow Valley, this town. The President is expected to arrive at the engagement area at 9:45 a.m. where he will be received by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David, Jr., and ...
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