Foreign Diplomatic Missions in the Philippines, and Philippine Diplomatic Missions abroad [Archive]

kiretoce

September 18th, 2008, 02:44 AM

This thread is for foreign diplomatic missions (embassies, consulates, cultural and/or trade offices, etc.) that are based in the Philippines; and vice versa, Philippine diplomatic missions in other nations.

EMBASSIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Located in MANILA
Australia
Kuwait
Palau
United States
Vietnam

Located in MAKATI CITY
Argentina
Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Cuba
Czech Republic
Finland
Germany
India
Indonesia
Israel
Italy
Laos
Malaysia
Mexico
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Venezuela

Located in PASAY CITY
Japan
Saudi Arabia

Located in QUEZON CITY
Colombia

CONSULATES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Located in MANILA
Jamaica
Tanzania
Tunisia

Located in CEBU CITY
Austria
Canada
China
Japan
Netherlands
Thailand
Turkey
United States

Located in DAVAO CITY
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia

Located in LAOAG CITY
China

Located in MANDALUYONG CITY
Peru
Slovenia

Located in MAKATI CITY
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
Ecuador
Iceland
Ireland
Seychelles
Ukraine
Uruguay
Vanuatu

Located in MUNTINLUPA CITY
Timor-Leste

Located in PASAY CITY
Latvia

Located in PASIG CITY
Malta
Marshall Islands

Located in QUEZON CITY
Cyprus

Located in TAGUIG CITY
Senegal

**Taiwan has a "Cultural Office" in MANILA

NON-RESIDENT DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS TO THE PHILIPPINES

Located in BANGKOK
Nepal
North Korea
Poland

Located in BEIJING
Albania
Bahrain
Eritrea
Lesotho

Located in HANOI
Mongolia

Located in JAKARTA
Hungary
Serbia
Slovakia

Located in KUALA LUMPUR
Algeria
Fiji
Ghana
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Mauritius
Oman
Sudan
Swaziland
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Located in SEOUL
Gabon

Located in SINGAPORE
Angola

Located in TAIPEI
Gambia

Located in TOKYO
Afghanistan
Belarus
Benin
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Cote D'Ivoire
Djibouti
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Guatemala
Guinea
Honduras
Jordan
Lebanon
Lithuania
Mali
Morocco
Nicaragua
Senegal
Zambia

Located in WELLINGTON
Samoa

kiretoce

September 18th, 2008, 02:50 AM

Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/06/Philippineembassydenhaag.jpg

Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Austria
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Philippineembassyvienna.jpg

Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, United States of America
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/01/Philippines_Embassy_in_US.JPG

Lili

September 18th, 2008, 03:41 AM

Nice thread @Kimber. :okay:

One thing, Philippines own very nice buildings for its embassy and consulates here in US. Our Philippine consulate in New York is on prime lot on swanky 5th Avenue. We do owe NYC huge real property taxes on it. But, I say, we really need to keep it. The thing is, they cannot use any part of it for commercial activity to generate revenue.

kiretoce

September 18th, 2008, 05:43 AM

PHILIPPINE DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ABROAD

THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
ARGENTINA
- Buenos Aires, Embassy
BOLIVIA
- La Paz, Consulate
- Santa Cruz, Consulate
BRAZIL
- Brasilia, Embassy
- Curitiba, Consulate
- Manaus, Consulate
- Sao Paulo, Consulate
CANADA
- Ottawa, Embassy
- Calgary, Consulate
- Edmonton, Consulate
- Montreal, Consulate
- St. John's, Consulate
- Toronto, Consulate
- Vancouver, Consulate
- Winnipeg, Consulate
CHILE
- Santiago, Embassy
- Valparaisa, Consulate
COLOMBIA
- Bogota, Consulate
COSTA RICA
- San Jose, Consulate
CUBA
- Havana, Embassy
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- Santo Domingo, Consulate
ECUADOR
- Quito, Consulate
EL SALVADOR
- San Salvador, Consulate
GUATEMALA
- Guatemala City, Consulate
HAITI
- Port-au-Prince, Consulate
HONDURAS
- Tegucigalpa, Consulate
MEXICO
- Mexico City, Embassy
- Acapulco, Consulate
- Guadalajara, Consulate
- Monterrey, Consulate
NICARAGUA
- Managua, Consulate
PANAMA
- Panama City, Consulate
PARAGUAY
- Asuncion, Consulate
PERU
- Lima, Consulate
UNITED STATES
- Washington, DC, Embassy
- Atlanta, Consulate
- Chicaco, Consulate
- Guam, Consulate
- Honolulu, Consulate
- Los Angeles, Consulate
- Miami, Consulate
- New York, Consulate
- Saipan, Consulate
- San Francisco, Consulate
URUGUAY
- Montevideo, Consulate
VENEZUELA
- Caracas, Embassy

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
ANGOLA
- Luanda, Consulate
BAHRAIN
- Manama, Embassy
EGYPT
- Cairo, Embassy
GHANA
- Accra, Consulate
IRAN
- Tehran, Embassy
IRAQ
- Baghdad, Embassy
ISRAEL
- Tel Aviv, Embassy
JORDAN
- Amman, Embassy
KENYA
- Nairobi, Embassy
KUWAIT
- Kuwait City, Embassy
LEBANON
- Beirut, Embassy
LIBYA
- Tripoli, Embassy
NIGERIA
- Abuja, Embassy
OMAN
- Muscat, Embassy
QATAR
- Doha, Embassy
SAUDI ARABIA
- Riyadh, Embassy
- Jeddah, Consulate
SENEGAL
- Dakar, Consulate
SEYCHELLES
- Victoria, Consulate
SOUTH AFRICA
- Pretoria, Embassy
- Cape Town, Consulate
SYRIA
- Damascus, Consulate
TOGO
- Lome, Consulate
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Abu Dhabi, Embassy
- Dubai, Consulate

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
AUSTRALIA
- Canberra, Embassy
- Brisbane, Consulate
- Darwin, Consulate
- Hobart, Consulate
- Melbourne, Consulate
- Perth, Consulate
- Sydney, Consulate
BANGLADESH
- Dhaka, Embassy
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
- Bandar Seri Begawan, Embassy
CAMBODIA
- Phnom Penh, Embassy
CHINA
- Beijing, Embassy
- Guangzhou, Consulate
- Hong Kong, Consulate
- Shanghai, Consulate
- Xiamen, Consulate
FIJI
- Suva, Consulate
INDIA
- New Delhi, Embassy
- Chennai, Consulate
- Kolkata, Consulate
- Mumbai, Consulate
INDONESIA
- Jakarta, Embassy
- Balikpapan, Consulate
- Manado, Consulate
- Surabaya, Consulate
JAPAN
- Tokyo, Embassy
- Naha, Consulate
- Osaka, Consulate
- Sapporo, Consulate
LAOS
- Vientiane, Embassy
MALAYSIA
- Kuala Lumpur, Embassy
MARSHALL ISLANDS
- Majuro, Consulate
MYANMAR
- Yangon, Embassy
NEPAL
- Kathmandu, Consulate
NEW ZEALAND
- Wellington, Embassy
- Auckland, Consulate
- Christchurch, Consulate
PAKISTAN
- Islamabad, Embassy
- Karachi, Consulate
- Lahore, Consulate
PALAU
- Koror, Embassy
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
- Port Moresby, Embassy
SINGAPORE
- Singapore, Embassy
SOUTH KOREA
- Seoul, Embassy
- Busan, Consulate
SRI LANKA
- Colombo, Consulate
TAIWAN
- Taipei, Cultural Office
- Kaohsiung, Cultural Office
- Taichung, Cultural Office
THAILAND
- Bangkok, Embassy
TIMOR-LESTE
- Dili, Embassy
VANUATU
- Port Vila, Consulate
VIETNAM
- Hanoi, Embassy

EUROPE
AUSTRIA
- Vienna, Embassy
- Klagenfurt, Consulate
- Linz, Consulate
- Polten, Consulate
- Salzburg, Consulate
BELGIUM
- Brussels, Embassy
- Antwerp, Consulate
CROATIA
- Zagreb, Consulate
CYPRUS
- Nicosia, Consulate
CZECH REPUBLIC
- Prague, Embassy
DENMARK
- Copenhagen, Consulate
FRANCE
- Paris, Embassy
- Bordeaux, Consulate
- Lyon, Consulate
- Marseille, Consulate
- Nice, Consulate
GERMANY
- Berlin, Embassy
- Bonn, Embassy Branch Office
- Erfurt, Consulate
- Hamburg, Consulate
- Munich, Consulate
- Potsdam, Consulate
- Stuttgart, Consulate
GREECE
- Athens, Embassy
- Heraklion, Consulate
- Rhodes, Consulate
- Thessaloniki, Consulate
HUNGARY
- Budapest, Embassy
IRELAND
- Dublin, Consulate
ITALY
- Rome, Embassy
- Milan, Consulate
MALTA
- Valletta, Consulate
MONACO
- Monaco, Consulate
NETHERLANDS
- The Hague, Embassy
- Amsterdam, Consulate
- Rotterdam, Consulate
NORWAY
- Oslo, Embassy
POLAND
- Warsaw, Consulate
PORTUGAL
- Lisbon, Consulate
ROMANIA
- Bucharest, Embassy
RUSSIA
- Moscow, Embassy
- Vladivostok, Consulate
SLOVENIA
- Ljubljana, Consulate
SPAIN
- Madrid, Embassy
- Barcelona, Consulate
- Bilbao, Consulate
- Cadiz, Consulate
- Malaga, Consulate
- Palma de Mallorca, Consulate
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Consulate
- Santiago de Compostela, Consulate
- Seville, Consulate
- Valencia, Consulate
- Valladolid, Consulate
SWEDEN
- Stockholm, Embassy
SWITZERLAND
- Berne, Embassy
- Basel, Consulate
- Geneva, Consulate
TURKEY
- Ankara, Embassy
- Istanbul, Consulate
- Mersin, Consulate
UKRAINE
- Kiev, Consulate
UNITED KINGDOM
- London, Embassy
- Edinburgh, Consulate

MtApoStandard

September 18th, 2008, 06:03 AM

This thread is for foreign diplomatic missions (embassies, consulates, cultural and/or trade offices, etc.) that are based in the Philippines; and vice versa, Philippine diplomatic missions in other nations.

CONSULATES IN THE PHILIPPINES
[CODE]
Located in MANILA
Jamaica
Tanzania
Tunisia

Located in CEBU CITY
Austria
Canada
China
Japan
Netherlands
Thailand
Turkey
United States

Located in DAVAO CITY
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia

Located in LAOAG CITY
China

Located in MANDALUYONG CITY
Peru
Slovenia

Located in MAKATI CITY
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
Ecuador
Iceland
Ireland
Seychelles
Ukraine
Uruguay
Vanuatu

Located in MUNTINLUPA CITY
Timor-Leste

Located in PASAY CITY
Latvia

Located in PASIG CITY
Malta
Marshall Islands

Located in QUEZON CITY
Cyprus

Located in TAGUIG CITY
Senegal

**Taiwan has a "Cultural Office" in MANILA

Located in DAVAO CITY
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Palau

http://www.gov.ph/directory/main.asp?child=1&sid=392

kiretoce

September 18th, 2008, 06:34 AM

The Chancery building at the US Embassy in Manila
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/35/USManilaChancery.jpg

JustHorace

September 18th, 2008, 04:16 PM

I hope someone could post pictures of the new Singaporean and British embassies in Taguig.

absinthe_888

September 18th, 2008, 09:03 PM

Don't know if this is off topic, but I saw the Mercedes Benz (of course :)) vehicle of the German Ambassador at the Hotel Intercontinental...

absinthe_888

September 18th, 2008, 09:05 PM

kiretoce

September 19th, 2008, 01:36 AM

PHILIPPINE DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

In BRUSSELS
- To the European Union (EU)

In GENEVA
- To the United Nations Offices in Geneva (UNOG)

In JAKARTA
- To the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

In NEW YORK CITY
- To the United Nations (UN)

In PARIS
- To the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

In VIENNA
- To the United Nations Offices in Vienna (UNOV)
- To the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

JudeD

September 20th, 2008, 08:46 PM

I think I can post a pic of an ambassador a day. :) Let's start with A

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/jan7/images/features4.jpg

Mme. Cosetta Fedele (wife of Italian Amb. Rubens Fedele) and Austrian Amb. Herbert Jaeger toasting on Austrian Day

kiretoce

September 21st, 2008, 05:52 AM

^^ Thanks Jude! :okay: You know you're the "appointed" resident foreign relations forumer here on SSC-Philippines. :colgate: We'll be eagerly awaiting for your informative posts here on the thread.

Wolfranz

September 21st, 2008, 07:42 AM

Austria
Honorary Consul Arcadio C. Alegrado

Belgium
Honorary Consul Enrique L. Benedicto

Belize
Honorary Consul: Helen Ong

Canada
Honorary Consul Robert O. Lee, L.T.

Chile
Honorary Consul David G. Ugarte

China
Consul Wu Lianqi

Czech Republic
Honorary Consul ??? (newly-appointed)

Denmark
Honorary Consul Sabino Dapat

France
Consul Richard Fourteau
(term expired; to be succeeded by Michel Lhuillier)

Japan
Consul Kobayashi

South Korea
Honorary Consul Augusto Go

Mexico
Honorary Consul Louis G. Ugarte

Netherlands
Honorary Consul Roberto E. Aboitiz

Norway
Honorary Consul Andoni F. Aboitiz

Panama
Honorary Consul Emily B. Chioson

Portugal
Honorary Consul Samuel L. Chioson

Russian Federation
Honorary Consul Armi Garcia

Seychelles
Honorary Consul ???

Slovakia
Honorary Consul Antonio Chiu

Spain
Honorary Consul Jaime R. Picornell

Sweden
Honorary Consul Jose B. Sala

Switzerland
Consul Markus Stern

Thailand
Honorary Consul Roy L. Chiongbian

Turkey
Honorary Consul Leontina L Benedicto

United Kingdom
Honorary Consul Moya Jackson

United States
Honorary Consul John F. Domingo

kiretoce

September 21st, 2008, 07:45 AM

Current
http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwjs724.jpg

Rendering
http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwjs725.jpg

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwjs726.jpg

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwjs727.jpg

The facilities improvement project, one of the largest undertaken by the U.S. Department of State this year, is part of the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to improving services for the public and reinforcing the close ties between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

The U.S. Embassy will be modernizing facilities through a major project expected to run until 2012. The Chancery building, a historic landmark, will remain unaffected by construction. A new Consular public services building will be built, which will feature large, indoor waiting areas for the public, and the number of service windows for passport and other applications will be expanded from 66 to 98. This will make the process of acquiring visas and other documents more efficient, faster, and more pleasant for the public. There will also be more windows for the processing and delivery of services to American citizens and Filipino citizens who qualify for Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration benefits. Additionally, larger offices and a larger, more modern medical clinic for veterans will be constructed on the Seafront Compound.

This $119 million construction project has been awarded to the Filipino firm Makati Development Corporation (MDC), which beat numerous large international firms in an open, worldwide competition that featured a competitive bidding process and a rigorous evaluation system.

Work on this major project has already begun and is expected to be fully completed in 2012. The Embassy and MDC staffs are working with local authorities to minimize traffic and other potential disruptions, but the public should expect limited, episodic construction-related traffic delays at various times in the immediate vicinity of the U.S. Embassy.

JudeD

September 21st, 2008, 03:38 PM

On to B

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/jan14/images/features50.jpg

(former) Mexican Amb. Erendira Paz Campos (left earlier this year), Mexican Embassy’s Minister Jose Oramas, and Brunei Amb. Emaleen Teo at Turkish National Day

Kimber, thanks and I'm glad I finally have a proper "mission" again on the forums. :) I know I haven't been too actively posting here recently, been more actively ignoring certain people kasi ;)

Wolfranz

September 21st, 2008, 04:55 PM

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t20/wolfranz/girls10.png

Institut Culturel Francais

The French Cultural Institute in Cebu

website:
lesamisdelafrance.ph

pi_malejana

September 22nd, 2008, 03:55 AM

Philippine Consulate (NYC)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/752377826_013ffc5c1f.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1251/752377808_9ef8249f47.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1308/752377786_3f9215d72b.jpg

note: i took these about a year ago na.. i went to the city a couple weeks back, iba na ung facade nung consulate....:)

JudeD

September 22nd, 2008, 08:08 PM

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/jan21/images/features6.jpg

South African Amb. Pieter Vermeulen, (former) Chilean Amb. Jorge Montero (left earlier this year) and Argentinian Amb. Mario Schuff at Belgian King's Day

kyle@1008

September 23rd, 2008, 12:08 AM

^^ are those pics from your magazine??

zoroethgenre_003

September 23rd, 2008, 05:01 AM

JudeD

September 23rd, 2008, 05:41 AM

^^ are those pics from your magazine??

Yup, from our newspaper actually. These were taken at diplomatic events.

kiretoce

September 24th, 2008, 02:04 AM

Kimber, thanks and I'm glad I finally have a proper "mission" again on the forums. :) I know I haven't been too actively posting here recently, been more actively ignoring certain people kasi ;)

:lol: I know what you mean. ;) But it's good to see you posting again. Your posts are most definitely a welcome sight! :okay:

JudeD

September 24th, 2008, 05:56 AM

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/jan28/images/features9.jpg
Italian Emb.’s First Secretary Mario Bartoli, Italian Amb. Rubens Fedele, UAE Amb. Mohammed Ebrahim Al Jowaid and UAE Counsellor Saeed Altunaiji on UAE Day

kiretoce

September 24th, 2008, 12:53 PM

The diplomatic community in the Philippines seems very active, I bet their social calendars are filled with events.

JudeD

September 26th, 2008, 05:24 AM

Well, there's at least two events a week to attend (and we have to attend them ALL!). But it's usually the same people over and over. So it's a kinda close-knit community. But like in any group, some diplomats are friendly, some... not so much. ;)

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/feb18/images/features14.jpg
Finnish Embassy’s Aarmi Aarni, Mirja Antonio, Airi Kangas, Elina Poikonen, and Amb. Riitta Resch

kiretoce

September 30th, 2008, 02:54 AM

I'm here in Washington, DC on vacation and I went strolling down Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue) this morning and came upon our embassy. Here are the photos I took. Hope everyone enjoys them. :colgate:

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines on 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC02001.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC01998.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC01999.jpg

The building's facade. Interesting note; almost all of the embassies on Embassy Row are all clumped up together forming a block and facing a street, while the Philippine Embassy is a stand-alone structure surrounded by streets on all sides.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC01997.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC02000.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC02006.jpg

Was pleasantly surprised to see a street named this....(one of the streets off Massachusetts Avenue)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC02003.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/DSC02004.jpg

diz

September 30th, 2008, 05:57 AM

^^ Whoa great pics! :okay:

JudeD

September 30th, 2008, 09:47 AM

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/mar4/images/features1.jpg
Indian Emb's Tsewang Namgyal, Mrs. Tsering Lhazes, Indian Amb. Rajeet Mitter and Mme. Kavita Mitter

JustHorace

October 21st, 2008, 03:33 AM

Does anybody know how to contact the Portuguese Embassy in Manila? or has it closed? If so, how can you obtain a Portuguese-issued Schengen visa?

kiretoce

October 21st, 2008, 03:46 AM

^^ Portugal currently doesn't have a diplomatic mission (embassy or consualte) in the Philippines. Try inquiring at the other local EU/Schengen area diplomatic missions (the Spanish Embassy would be a good start) in the Metro for information about travel requirements for entering/leaving Portugal.

JustHorace

October 21st, 2008, 03:48 AM

^^Thanks Kimber. I did a bit more research and just found out that visa requests from the Philippines will be processed at the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta.

kiretoce

October 21st, 2008, 03:51 AM

^^ Is Portugal part of the Schengen Zone? I thought once you obtain a Schengen visa from a member nation, you can freely move within the zone with any border checks and additional travel documents.

By the way, here's a very good website with informative stuff about embassies and consulates of every nation around the world: www.embassiesabroad.com (http://www.embassiesabroad.com/). :colgate:

JustHorace

October 21st, 2008, 05:20 AM

^^Thanks! Yeah, that was what we thought so, too. But apparently, you have to apply for a Schengen visa at the point of entry's embassy, which happens to be the Portuguese Embassy. [PERHAPS this rule only applies to third-world passports.]

Animo

November 21st, 2008, 09:57 AM

http://www.asianjournal.com/images/stories/harry-thomas.jpg

WITH Barack Obama’s election as the new President of the United States, making history as the country’s first African-American president, doors have been opened for more qualified African-Americans to become more prominent in the political scene.

The Philippines is not one to lag behind in embracing this world-changing development. On Nov. 20, diplomatic sources said the White House has picked career diplomat Harry K. Thomas Jr. as the next ambassador to Manila.

Thomas is set to replace current US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney, who also made history as its first female ambassador. At present, the 52-year-old Thomas is director general of the State Department’s Foreign Service, a post he has held since last year. When he circulated an order requiring diplomats to serve in Iraq, it grabbed headlines all over and drew the ire of the diplomats’ union in Washington and whose members eventually confronted him in late October last year.

An Associated Press dispatch revealed it was quoted that the head of the American Foreign Service Association, John Naland, said that a survey showed only 12 percent of the members of the diplomats’ union believed the Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, also an African-American, was "fighting for them," to which Thomas reportedly stated,"That’s their right, but they’re wrong."

As of 2005, only 6.5 percent of African-Americans compose the US foreign service’s professional staff, just slightly up from 5.4 percent in 1985. On the other hand, women’s progress in the diplomatic service has been greater: from 20 percent of the professional staff in 1985, the male-female ratio 20 years later had narrowed 66 to 34.

A graduate of the Holy Cross and Columbia University, Thomas is a veteran of the diplomatic service, having had experience since 1984. He also served as ambassador to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005 before becoming the official executive secretary at the Office of the Secretary of State. Thomas, who speaks fluent Spanish, Bangla and Hindi, has also served in New Delhi, Harare, Kaduna and Lima. For his service, he has received several awards from the State Department, including the Arnold Raphel Award for leadership, motivation and mentoring of colleagues.

In an article of the February 2006 issue of State Magazine, Thomas stated that "Assignments and promotions in today’s Department are based on merit. All Americans are welcome to join the Civil Service and Foreign Service. The Department’s leadership is committed to diversity and excellence, but that was not always the case."

No doubt that Obama’s win in the US elections last Nov. 4 will bring in a new dawn as more African-Americans will be recognized and given opportunities to take on vital roles in the government. (AJPress with reports from Philstar.com)

http://www.asianjournal.com/dateline-usa/15-dateline-usa/639-obama-may-pick-first-black-us-envoy-for-rp.html

kiretoce

January 4th, 2009, 10:59 PM

The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

http://www.buenosairespe.com.ar/images/front.jpg

kiretoce

January 4th, 2009, 11:04 PM

The Philippine Consulate in New York City.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bP9YCzYA0tI/SIJVjvq3smI/AAAAAAAABAU/ZG1aMelH82o/IMG_0661.JPG

kiretoce

January 4th, 2009, 11:07 PM

The Philippine Embassy in London, United Kingdom.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HXh8XB-29yI/SOJ61kyby2I/AAAAAAAACUs/oKgrJf_mlrs/IMG_1646.JPG

kiretoce

January 4th, 2009, 11:14 PM

The Philippine Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2007/jul/pr579a.jpg

diz

January 5th, 2009, 06:09 AM

^^ Ahhh! Pics aren't working.

RonnieR

January 7th, 2009, 07:28 AM

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 01/06/2009 3:36 PM

The UK Border Agency has designated the British Embassy in Manila as a new regional hub for visa processing. Starting this month, the UK's Manila post will assume responsibility for the issuance of visas for Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. Other regional offices may also be sending its visa applications here for processing later in the year.

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham welcomed the new developments in the British Embassy's Manila post.

"This expansion spells a big vote of confidence in Manila as a major hub for business process outsourcing," Beckingham said. "The development reinforces the sizeable outsourcing to the Philippines by UK companies and organizations, ranging from financial services to publishing and the media."

In preparation, the embassy is re-structuring its visa section and hiring additional staff to accommodate the expected increase in the volume of work. On its new location in McKinley Hill, Taguig City, construction is now being done to enlarge the office space.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo expressed his delight that the British Embassy is joining many other major organisations and companies in entrusting and transferring their operations to the Philippines.

businessasusual

January 22nd, 2009, 11:16 AM

Any OFW members out there? Let's try to find the best Philippine Embassy! I'll try to snap a shot here in Tokyo next week!

kiretoce

January 23rd, 2009, 04:30 AM

^^ Thanks! Your contribution will be much appreciated! :okay:

Animo

February 20th, 2009, 09:11 AM

By Jessica Zafra (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=441735&publicationSubCategoryId=84)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1948/ystar1gc0.jpg

What a lady: US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney is svelte, youngish, vivacious and blonde — in the movies, she would be cast as the friendly neighbor who organizes swap meets and bakes cookies for the kids.

I am having tea with the US Ambassador to the Philippines. Tea and a chat, no specific topics, though cats and tennis will probably be mentioned. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney is svelte, youngish, vivacious and blonde — in the movies, she would be cast as the friendly neighbor who organizes swap meets and bakes cookies for the kids. We are, in fact, having cookies. I imagine her sunny demeanor must be slightly disconcerting to hard-nosed old-boy politicians. Which is not to say that Ambassador Kenney is a softie. A career diplomat, she is the first female US envoy to this country. Before she was assigned here in March 2006, she was the Ambassador to Ecuador. Her husband, William R. Brownfield, is currently the US Ambassador to Colombia.

“It’s an embarrassing story,” she says of her start in the foreign service. “After college I worked three years for a member of the US Congress, then I went to graduate school. I was in graduate school on a scholarship, with a bunch of friends who were also on scholarships, so we had zero money. We were very eager to get jobs when we graduated, and one of our friends said, ‘They’re giving tests for diplomats. Why don’t we take it, it’s free?’ So I went and I passed the test. It was one of those things where you just kept going. Then I got called in for an interview.

“Thousands of people take the test, a thousand pass, and it takes a long time to interview them because they’re scattered all over. Then you go for your medical exam, you’re put on a roster, and rank-ordered for a job. One day I got a call for a job. I thought, I’ll try it for a year or two, and it’s been 26 years. It suits me because it’s always different, always interesting.”

Her stint in the Philippines has met all expectations, with a couple of surprises. “I don’t think I realized how easy it would be to talk to Filipinos of all sizes, persuasions, ages, professions. I didn’t realize how easy it would be to walk into Starbucks and make friends. Americans are friendly, and Filipinos are double that.

“I didn’t expect Manila to be as green as it is. The pictures I’d seen were of the Makati skyline or very poor neighborhoods like Tondo, and I didn’t realize until I got here that there are pockets of greenery everywhere. There aren’t that many big parks, so I’d expected it to look very big city-concrete, but it’s not.”

I note that the Philippines has a bit of an image problem: many foreigners have no idea what it is, and they seem to think it’s somewhere near Hawaii. What do foreigners know about our country? “A lot of people I know in the US remember Ninoy and Cory Aquino,” Ambassador Kenney replies. “I’ve had friends visiting me who aren’t really savvy about international politics, and they all bought the ‘I Am Ninoy’ T-shirt for Christmas gifts. Everybody remembers the events of 1986, and even if you weren’t paying attention, you remember.”

Whenever she has guests, she usually takes them to Corregidor and to the pearl market in Greenhills.

“I find that the good news about the Philippines doesn’t get out very much,” she adds. “Every visitor I’ve had is astonished by the creativity here, the things people do with fibers like piña and abaca, the furniture-making. People have heard of Boracay, but they haven’t really heard of the other tranquil, beautiful sights. And the sophistication of Manila surprises them — all the shopping malls, you could be anywhere in America.

“The international news media tends to pick up stories about poverty, crime, or terrorism, so people are surprised to get here and find the huge numbers of restaurants. And to find that a lot of well-known people in the States are Filipinos, designers like Josie Natori.”

We are joined by a glossy black cat named Junior, aged nine. Later Emily, a sweet, black 10-year-old moggie with white markings, peers into the Ambassador’s living room to see if her dinner is served. The Kenneys’ cats Emily, Junior and Niles were all rescued from animal shelters. Niles got stressed-out by the constant stream of visitors to the ambassador’s residence, so he is chilling out in Pampanga. The three cats have traveled with their humans from Washington, DC to Quito, Ecuador to Manila.

I ask the Ambassador if Quito is anything like Manila. “The only real similarities are the old Spanish churches,” she says, “And the love of family, the extended family that often lives together. Ecuador is much poorer, much less sophisticated.” She adds that Quito is a world heritage site, and its churches are similar in style to the old churches of Ilocos.

The US is always a topic of great interest to Filipinos, and this interest seemed to grow exponentially during the recent American presidential election. Was she surprised at how interested we were in their elections? “I was and wasn’t,” the diplomat replies. “I wasn’t because we were all the same way. Presidential elections don’t always capture the American public’s attention: sometimes they’re dull or boring or the candidates aren’t exciting. For this one we all became political junkies.

“I wasn’t surprised that people were interested, I was surprised at how interested they were, and I was thrilled about that. It was a good election with a great variety of candidates and this great use of new media. It’s good to see people thinking about issues. It was great to see so many youth in America turning out to vote for the first time.

“Credit goes to President Obama and his team for getting people passionate about the issues.”

The other big story about the US has been the financial meltdown. “The gloomy news is all people report on. All I have is anecdotal evidence. I was in Hawaii for a week of vacation in January, and everything was packed,” Ambassador Kenney recounts. “Same time I was hearing on the TV and reading in the papers that the economy is a disaster, I was finding that you couldn’t get a table in a restaurant because if you don’t reserve ahead, they’re full. There clearly are lots of people who are still going out and leading pretty normal lives. The real question, I think, will be how quickly the United States and the rest of the world can turn this around, use our combined efforts to stimulate economic growth.

“One of my friends was saying that a lot of this is a confidence issue,” she adds. “It’s a vicious cycle. You have all these stories about how you’re going to lose your job, things are bad. People get nervous, they think, “I won’t spend, I won’t go out,” which (eventually) leads to people losing their jobs.”

Does this mean fewer Filipinos are going to the United States these days? The Ambassador says the numbers remain constant. “Filipinos of all sectors continue to travel to the US for business, vacations, school. And immigration — we are the largest issuer of immigrant visas in the world. You can’t go anywhere in the US without finding Filipinos.” The Philippine government estimates that there are four million Filipinos in the United States. According to the US Embassy, there are about 250,000 Americans in the Philippines. These estimates, the Ambassador notes, might not have even factored in dual citizenships.

For people with a horror of staying put, being a diplomat sounds like the ideal career. Is it tough breaking into the diplomatic service? “I got in,” Ambassador Kenney laughs. “It’s competitive, but no more competitive than anything else. There’s a lot of scope to do so many different things. You can take a lot of different talents. Some of my colleagues are much better at negotiations — you wouldn’t call on me to negotiate a treaty, I don’t have the patience — some people are better writers and speakers, some people are better at development work.”

What would be her particular specialization? “I’ve jumped all over. I’m always interested in our development projects, but the environment particularly interests me because there’s so much to protect here.

“One of the things we’ve been doing is teaching fishermen to fish in a way that gets them a higher value yield without taking the fish they don’t need — the little baby fish — and supplementing their income. We’ve worked to train aquarium fishermen in how to pick fish and how to package them so they don’t die on the way. We’ve helped them organize a cooperative so they can pool their resources.” She talks about clean energy and environmental protection in her blog, which she recently launched on the US Embassy website. “I get to see amazing things, but I don’t have the chance to talk about them,” she says.

This is Ambassador Kenney’s third year in the Philippines, and she expects to get word of her next post fairly soon. “I’ll be disappointed to leave,” she smiles. In the meantime there are meetings, trips, briefings, and cats to attend to.

* * *

E-mail your comments and questions to emotionalweatherreport@gmail.com.

JudeD

March 12th, 2009, 08:23 PM

Our latest issue featuring diplomats' kids! Out now!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/expat8cover.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/expat829.jpg

johnmizer

March 13th, 2009, 05:26 AM

sino yung naka blue> shes hot

JudeD

March 13th, 2009, 10:49 AM

^^^
South African Ambassador's daughter.

johnmizer

March 14th, 2009, 04:59 AM

is there any chance na makita sya sa bgc?

kiretoce

March 14th, 2009, 05:08 AM

The Banker as Diplomat (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/pf/7411-the-banker-as-diplomat.html)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/images/stories/Daily_Images/2009/March/0313142009/pers-pic01.jpg

If British super agent James Bond is on Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Ambassador Jesus Tambunting believes his task is to serve Juan de la Cruz in his various capacities.

As the chief executive officer and chairman of Planters Development Bank, Tambunting’s mission is to help grow small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to become a more active agent in national development. Plantersbank is regarded as the country’s largest private SME bank.

In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Tambunting recalls that it was a challenge putting up Plantersbank. “At that time, one of our obstacles is to overcome the strong bias against noncommercial banks, especially when you’re based countryside,” he says.

Now that the bias against noncommercial banks has been erased, Tambunting notes that some people assume he’s a commercial banker.

Tambunting admits that there have been opportunities before to convert Plantersbank into a commercial bank. “But we decided to continue to be a development bank,” he says. “The idea was to service the countryside, which has now become a phenomenon. Times have changed now. We’re now considered the leader and we are happy the big banks now are servicing SMEs.”

Just like any business organization, Tambunting points out that professionalism is an important aspect of servicing the SMEs. This is done through the judicious utilization of resources to prevent the emergence of a subprime type of business. “We have to be professional because the challenges are very strong,” he says.

With its bigger resources. Plantersbank is now in a better position to serve more SMEs in funding their business requirements and, at the same time, teaching them to become more efficient in their business directions.

Last year, Plantersbank posted a net income after tax of P350.4 million, P12.8 million higher than 2007’s record. The bank also managed to deliver a good performance in the closing months of 2008 as its assets grew to P44.8 billion, P1.6 billion higher compared with 2007.

The bank also reported total deposits of P34.7 billion in 2008, 7.2 percent or P2.3 billion higher than the previous year. Meanwhile, capital funds totaled P3.5 billion, the largest among the independent savings banks in the country.

Plantersbank is also helping SMEs launch into cyberspace through the establishment of SME Solutions Inc., in partnership with the International Finance Corp. of the World Bank. The Plantersbank subsidiary provides Web-based solutions to SMEs, and Tambunting is proud that some of its clients included rising stars like Hortaleza and Godiva.

Tambunting served as the Philippines’ Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1993 to 1998. At the same time he concurrently served as Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and as Permanent Philippine Representative to the International Maritime Organization.

The diplomatic assignment was a break from Tambunting’s banking career. For that prime post, he was just given five days to decide.

“My wife and I experienced sleepless nights. We asked ourselves do we do it or not. We have to decide fast because many people are interested in the post,” he says.

“I realized that this opportunity does not come often. I do not have regrets and I think we have a successful stint there. The UK became the most important country with bilateral relationship among countries in the European community. The UK was top in investment, trade and tourism,” he notes.

One of the memorable moments for Tambunting in London was when then President Fidel Ramos was officially invited by the British government for a state visit. It was a first for a Philippine president to be officially hosted by the British government. “It was a proud moment in our history when a Philippine president addressed the British parliament,” he beams.

He credits Ramos for fostering strong Philippine-British ties.

His stint also led to a strong attachment with the Anglo-Saxon culture.

Tambunting recalls that it was difficult for him in the beginning to show the embassy staff that he meant business. Later, he proved that he was sincere and focused on the job in serving the needs of Filipinos.

“In my case, I worked hard. I also applied the best management practices. I talked to them about our objective. Instead of going to the motion, I wanted them to work hard,” he says.

“The impression of the Filipinos was that they were not treated well. In my case, the first thing I required was to treat every Filipino like a customer. You don’t make them wait for a long time. We refurbished the waiting chairs and put newspapers and magazines from the Philippines,” he adds.

Tambunting told the embassy staff that processing of Filipinos’ papers must done within the day. Being an expensive city, Tambunting reminded the staff that it would be quite hard for Filipinos to stay in London.

Having been a diplomat and a banker, Tambunting says there’s satisfaction in both. As a banker, Tambunting says Plantersbank is a unique bank serving the SMEs, particularly in the countryside. As a diplomat, Tambunting says he put his best food forward as an ambassador because he is the representative of the country.

“Many would think the reason I went [to London] was because I wanted to be called Your Excellency and Ambassador. They couldn’t believe I went there to serve the country,” he says.

kiretoce

April 6th, 2009, 06:49 AM

Israel sees business potential in RP, appoints consul to Cebu (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/8312-israel-sees-business-potential-in-rp-appoints-consul-to-cebu.html)

Israel has appointed a consul for Cebu to make its presence stronger in the central and southern Philippines, which Ambassador to Manila Zvi Vapni sees as growth areas for business, agriculture technology and tourism.

“We see Cebu as the gateway to the southern Philippines, that is why we are trying to intensify our presence here,” Vapni said. “We like to see business in this region [grow].”

Vapni said the current $200 million worth of trade between Israel and the Philippines is “very sad” considering Israel’s total business in this part of the world is close to $18 billion, mostly in the fields of high technology and agriculture work.

There is also a huge potential for tourism between Israel and the Philippines. He said Filipinos usually go to Israel for pilgrimage, but that there are other activities like shopping, a visit to the Dead Sea and a tour of the desert.

He said Israelis would also love to visit beaches in the Philippines, if only they could hear and read more about the country.

Israel has a population of 7 million with a land area as big as Palawan. Last year, 2 million Israelis went abroad for holidays.

“Most of [the Israeli] tourists went to Vietnam and Thailand because they have not heard of the Philippines yet,” Vapni said.

He said potential business areas where Israelis could invest in the Philippines are in technology support for call centers and manufacturing of hi-tech electronics made in Israel.

“We do not have brands like Nokia, but I can tell you most of the components and technology inside gadgets are made in Israel,” Vapni said.

He said the USB flash drive and Internet messaging services are two technologies developed in Israel and bought by US and European companies.

There is also huge potential for partnerships in agriculture as Israelis have developed technologies to maximize the use of land and rain, considering the arid climate in Israel. He said Israelis are also experts in building water systems and water-testing technology.

kiretoce

April 17th, 2009, 08:30 AM

The Philippines sets up Embassy in Syria (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=458245&publicationSubCategoryId=203)

The Philippines has opened an embassy in Damascus, Syria to serve the needs of a growing Filipino population there and to improve political and economic ties with the Middle East state, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The government said its diplomatic mission in Damascus is considered one of the most important posts since Syria is often being used as a transit point for Filipinos in times of crisis in the Middle East.

"With 17,000 Filipinos in Syria, the establishment of a new embassy here in Damascus could not have come at a more opportune time," said Vice President and Presidential adviser on overseas Filipinos and migrant workers Noli De Castro.

Do Castro expressed hope for both countries to forge a bilateral labor agreement that will ensure the protection of Filipino workers in Syria.

Faced with rising domestic unemployment rates, Manila has openly encouraged Filipinos looking for a job to go abroad, especially to the relatively crisis-proof Middle East countries.

Overseas remittance is a major source of domestic consumption back home and provides steams to the Philippines' economic growth over the past few years.

He also cited the importance of Syria in the Middle East region with "its energy resources and fertile lands that contribute to a strong petroleum industry and dynamic agricultural sector."

Currently, the Philippines has more than 60 embassies around the globe, plus three permanent missions to the United Nations, one permanent mission to the World Trade Organization, and 21 consulates general offices.

venntro

May 8th, 2009, 06:24 AM

RP posts adopting proactive measures vs A-H1N1 (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160288/RP-posts-adopting-proactive-measures-vs-A-H1N1)
05/07/2009 | 04:52 PM

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine embassies and consulates abroad have adopted a proactive stance to protect Filipinos from the A-H1N1 (swine flu), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.

"In places where the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed cases of A/H1N1, Philippine posts have issued advisories to Filipino communities to take precautionary actions. Posts have also set up hotlines for Filipinos who have concerns or questions on A/H1N1," the department said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph).

In New York, the Philippine Consulate General disseminated the advisory by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene entitled, “Swine Influenza: What New Yorkers Need To Know" to the Filipino Community.

There are over 280,000 Filipinos living and working in New York.

As of May 6, the WHO said there are 403 laboratory confirmed human cases in the United States.

“Filipino-Americans are encouraged to constantly monitor the news about the incidence of swine flu within and outside their areas, and stay vigilant for any possible threats to their health," Consul General Cecilia Rebong said.

In Canada, Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera said the more than 330,000 Filipinos there are still safe from swine flu.

“So far, there is no report of any Filipino in this consular jurisdiction among the confirmed cases," he said. There are 165 human cases of the said flu in Canada.

In Barcelona, Spain, the Philippine Consulate there announced a hotline (628 472 866) which Filipinos could contact in case they have any information or questions on A/H1N1.

It also issued an advisory to the Filipino community. There are 57 confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 strain in Spain.

Philippine Ambassador to London Edgardo Espiritu personally appeared on Filipino cable television to emphasize the need for the Filipinos in the United Kingdom to take precautionary measures.

In Berne, Switzerland, the Philippine Embassy has scheduled a meeting with officials of Roche Pharmaceuticals to discuss the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza in combating A/H1N1.

The two drugs are said to be the cure for the flu strain.

But Ambassador Maria Theresa Lazaro said there have been resistance fears raised about Tamiflu in Switzerland. The meeting was set for May 19.

In Hong Kong, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.’s (PLDT) SMART 1528 and Vodafone Smartone’s Barkadahan sa Smartone agreed to the Philippine Consulate’s request for them to issue regular SMS (text) broadcasts to remind the Filipino community to take precautionary measures.

There are three Filipinos quarantined at the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai, Hong Kong. They are in good condition and will be released Friday.

Consul General Claro Cristobal said HKSARG requested post to review the Filipino version of a pamphlet on A/H1N1.

“Post made revisions and submitted the enclosed pamphlet to the government," he said.

In Dili, Philippine authorities are coordinating with Filipino United Nations volunteer physicians who are detailed at the Guido Valadres National Hospital there.

“Should any suspected case be reported, particularly if a Filipino is involved, Post would immediately be informed," ad interim Charge d’Affaires Ariz Severino Convalecer said.

He added that the post’s warden system, which was established following the 2006 crisis, has been reactived.

The warden system consists of community leaders who are long-time residents of Timor-Leste and could assist the Embassy in the execution of its contingency plan for crisis situations.

The wardens were also tapped to disseminate advisories and other useful information to the Filipino community.

Also, the Embassy maintains close contact with the WHO, the UN Population Fund and the International Committee of the Red Cross which have offices in Dili.

In Shanghai, the Philippine Consulate General issued a swine flu advisory to the Filipinos there as well as in the provinces it covers.

“Post will closely monitor updates regarding the outbreak in order to issue warnings if necessary," Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez said. - GMANews.TV

JudeD

August 20th, 2009, 08:26 PM

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1080480.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1090507.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1090464.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1090498.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1090494.jpg

kiretoce

August 21st, 2009, 07:39 AM

^^ My naive answer would be somewhere in Europe.

tonyboy

August 21st, 2009, 12:55 PM

^^ My naive answer would be somewhere in Europe.

:dunno:

my educated guess...philippine embassy in stockholm, sweden...

cuz this photo...http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1090464.jpg

looks like this...
http://www.philembassy.se/news/pic4s.jpg
The Helsingborg string ensemble plays Filipino and classical music during the diplomatic reception and dinner buffet at Villa Pauli.

source (http://www.philembassy.se/news/indday09.htm)
:)

JudeD

August 21st, 2009, 11:07 PM

:dunno:

my educated guess...philippine embassy in stockholm, sweden...

cuz this photo...http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/sweden%202009/P1090464.jpg

looks like this...
http://www.philembassy.se/news/pic4s.jpg

source (http://www.philembassy.se/news/indday09.htm)
:)

wow! how'd you trace that photo!? parang kang interpol haha!

it's not actually at the embassy itself (which is in gamla stan, the old center of stockholm), but at sort of like the country club (villa pauli) in the area where the ambassador's residence is (djursholm, a posh suburb where a lot of diplomats and even members of abba and roxette live).

r93k401

August 22nd, 2009, 01:01 PM

Philippine embassy, the Hague, Netherlands
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/06/Philippineembassydenhaag.jpg

dito ba nagoopisina si joma?

tonyboy

August 22nd, 2009, 01:58 PM

^^:lol:

Maxxclip

August 23rd, 2009, 03:57 AM

Philippine embassy, the Hague, Netherlands

dito ba nagoopisina si joma?

:lol: good question:hilarious:rofl:

JudeD

September 17th, 2009, 08:40 PM

out now! expat magazine's latest issue featuring ambassador's wives

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/center-1.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/cover1.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/cover2-1.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/cover3.jpg

kiretoce

September 18th, 2009, 03:27 AM

^^ Hey Jude! :hi:

Glad you're back! Can you list the names (or at least just give us the countries where they're from) the spouses for us, please?

Thanks! :okay:

JudeD

September 21st, 2009, 05:51 PM

All their names are right there on the covers, just look

rubiopr27

October 1st, 2009, 01:53 PM

Bahay_Kubo

November 21st, 2009, 02:40 AM

Kenney out as Obama names new US ambassador to RP
By Michaela P. del Callar
The Daily Tribune (http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091121hed6.html)
11/21/2009

US President Barack Obama has appointed a new ambassador to the Philippines, replacing Kristie Kenney who ends her tour of duty next year.

Obama named Harry Thomas Jr., a seasoned career diplomat, as Kenney’s successor. Thomas’ nomination still has to be confirmed by the US Senate.

“It has been an extra-ordinary honor and privilege to serve as the ambassador of the United States to the Republic of the Philippines for more than three and a half years,” Kenney said in a statement. “Now, for personal and professional reasons, I need to plan my return to the United States. So it is with great pleasure that I learned that President Obama has named my successor. Ambassador-designate Harry Thomas is a personal friend of mine, an exceptional diplomat, and a wonderful person.”

While awaiting Thomas’ confirmation, Kenney, the first woman ambassador to the Philippines, said she will remain in the country over the coming months.

“Working with so many Filipinos, from all walks of life, has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I have come to deeply appreciate not just the warmth and friendship of Filipinos, but also their determination to make their country, region and world a better place for their children and grandchildren,” Kenney said.

“It has been a true pleasure to live in this beautiful country, and to lead the US Embassy in efforts to partner with the government and people of the Philippines for the greater good of Americans and Filipinos alike,” she added.

Thomas served most recently as director general of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. He previously served as a special assistant to the Secretary and Executive Secretary of the US Department of State.

He joined the Foreign Service in 1984 and served as US ambassador to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005. He also served in the White House as the director for South Asia at the National Security Council from 2001 to 2002.

jpdm

November 22nd, 2009, 01:45 PM

diz

December 14th, 2009, 05:16 AM

Philippine embassy in Diplomacy Island, virtual sim game Second Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1087/527217082_dc5f3d2e54.jpg

kiretoce

December 14th, 2009, 05:26 AM

^^ You made that, diz?

diz

December 14th, 2009, 05:39 AM

No.. The Philippine gov't did. Second Life is an online sim game.

kiretoce

December 14th, 2009, 05:50 AM

^^ I see that the nation's taxpayers' money hard at work. :ohno:

flesh_is_weak

December 14th, 2009, 10:40 AM

cebuboi

December 22nd, 2009, 08:33 AM

nagbubuhay hari yata yung mga ambassador natin sa ibang bansa, pero parang wala naman silang masyadong maraming nagawa para sa pagpapabuti ng buhay ng mga pilipino sa atin at sa bansa kung saan sila naka-destino

totoo minsan kailangan ikaw ang maghabol sa kanila instead na sila ang hahabol sa inyo...kapaet gyud.....lalo na sa mid-east pahirapan daming nangyayari d2 na di na mo talaga akalain...^^

kiretoce

February 6th, 2010, 02:33 AM

7 new envoys confirmed (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/241968/7-new-envoys-confirmed)

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that the Commission on Appointments has confirmed seven new envoys. All are career ambassadors.

DFA spokesman J. Eduardo Malaya said there were no political appointees from the new ambassadors recently confirmed by the CA.

Under Section 17 of Republic Act (RA) 7157 or the Foreign Service Act, majority of the diplomatic and permanent missions must be headed by career ambassadors.

The seven new ambassadors confirmed by the CA are: Linglingay Lacanlale, Lourdes Yparraguire, Nestor Padalhin, Romeo Manalo, Eva Betita, Bayani Mangibin, and Bahnarim Guinomia.

Lacanlale was confirmed as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (AEP) to the Kingdom of Thailand, leaving her current post as Ambassador to Austria. She will be replaced by Yparraguire, who is the new envoy to Austria after her confirmation by the CA. Yparraguire is currently DFA Assistant Secretary for American Affairs.

Lacanlale will also be the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).

The CA also confirmed Padalhin as the new Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Cote d’ Ivoire, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Gabonese Republic, the Republic of Gambia, the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Sierra Leone and Togo.

Padalhin is the vice chairman of the Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat and Special Assistant at the Office of the Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns.

Filipinos in Italy will have a new ambassador in the person of Romeo Manalo, current Chief Coordinator of the Office of the Secretary. Manalo will be replacing Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, who was assigned as the Philippine envoy to Italy in 1999.

The CA also confirmed Betita as the new Ambassador to Brazil, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Colombia, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname. She is currently the Philippine Consul-General in Sydney, Australia.

Likewise, former DFA spokesman Mangibin was confirmed by the CA to be the new Philippine Ambassador to Iraq. He is currently the Chair-Alternate to the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines.

Guinomia meanwhile is the new Ambassador to Bangladesh with concurrent jurisdiction over the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives. He is currently the Assistant Secretary for DFA Mindanao.

Aside from the seven new envoys, the CA also promoted two officers: Philippine Consul-General to New York Cecilia Rebong was promoted to Chief of Mission, Class I while Patricia Ann Paez was promoted to Chief of Mission, Class II. Paez is currently assigned to the Office of Presidential Protocol in Malacañang.

Union of Foreign Service Officers (UNIFORS) president Victoria Bataclan, in a letter to Senate President and CA Chairperson Juan Ponce Enrile, however expressed grievance over the confirmation of Paez, saying that “37 other officers of Career Minister rank” had been affected by her appointment.

Bataclan cited Section 27 Republic Act 7151 or the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991 which mandates that there should be a continuous three years in service in each class before becoming eligible for promotion to a higher class.

xxxriainxxx

February 8th, 2010, 03:09 PM

nagbubuhay hari yata yung mga ambassador natin sa ibang bansa, pero parang wala naman silang masyadong maraming nagawa para sa pagpapabuti ng buhay ng mga pilipino sa atin at sa bansa kung saan sila naka-destino

You don't know what you are talking about. Our DFA have been working hard for this country. Totoo, meron din silang mga pagkukulang pero mas marami din naman silang naitulong with what little resources they have. I had the chance to work with them and I am proud of what they do. One of my friend is our commercial attache in one of the European countries and he just brought in several billions of pesos of investments and thousands of jobs in the Philippines last year. These are the things that you don't hear much in the news. I've worked with the people in the DFA in Manila as well as our embassies in abroad - ni once hindi ako nahirapan dealing with them. Kaya pakiusap lang po, wag kayo munang manghusga kung wala naman kayong ebidensya.

xxxriainxxx

February 8th, 2010, 03:10 PM

xxxriainxxx

February 8th, 2010, 03:17 PM

Philippine embassy in Diplomacy Island, virtual sim game Second Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1087/527217082_dc5f3d2e54.jpg

I wonder how you can go to this embassy? Can you please put the steps that I need to do? Thanks in advance. :)

xxxriainxxx

February 8th, 2010, 03:26 PM

Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea.

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/7/photos/94/500x500/4/emba.jpg?et=KlsC4vylj%2C%2BROdfiu1kscg&nmid=99605051

Our meeting with the Philippine Ambassador to Seoul, Luis T. Cruz.

http://images.xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/image/7/photos/94/500x500/2/Phil.-Emba.jpg?et=m85XoVEIuy5ZH4CjCWpelw&nmid=99605051

sandwindstars

February 11th, 2010, 05:52 AM

You don't know what you are talking about. Our DFA have been working hard for this country. Totoo, meron din silang mga pagkukulang pero mas marami din naman silang naitulong with what little resources they have. I had the chance to work with them and I am proud of what they do. One of my friend is our commercial attache in one of the European countries and he just brought in several billions of pesos of investments and thousands of jobs in the Philippines last year. These are the things that you don't hear much in the news. I've worked with the people in the DFA in Manila as well as our embassies in abroad - ni once hindi ako nahirapan dealing with them. Kaya pakiusap lang po, wag kayo munang manghusga kung wala naman kayong ebidensya.

I have no complaints with those in Toronto, and Canada (so far I've seen). The diplomatic officers I've met seem to know their job well and efficiently. I have a prob with the staff sometimes. I've had a few rude ones over the years.

mambo

February 11th, 2010, 09:47 AM

can anyone post pictures of our embassies and consulates in the middle east

xxxriainxxx

February 11th, 2010, 10:33 AM

I have no complaints with those in Toronto, and Canada (so far I've seen). The diplomatic officers I've met seem to know their job well and efficiently. I have a prob with the staff sometimes. I've had a few rude ones over the years.

Yeah, they are just people, and usually our embassies are very overworked... Dami din kasing pasaway na Pilipino abroad, but if you encounter any exceptionally rude staff, please report them. It is not good to have rude people represent our country abroad. I remembered that one of my former work colleagues used to work in our mission in the HK... It was very stressful for him- so much problems that they need to handle and there were just few of them handling it. At least two of my friends are currently vice-consuls and another is a consul already. Overall though, I am very proud of our men and women in the diplomatic service. :)

xxxriainxxx

February 11th, 2010, 10:35 AM

can anyone post pictures of our embassies and consulates in the middle east

Truth to tell, it is actually prohibited to take photos of embassies due to security reasons, when I took a snapshot of the the PE in Seoul as we were leaving, the guard immediately asked me not to take photos (although nakasalisi na ako). hehe.

hakz2007

February 25th, 2010, 11:44 AM

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-feb2010/ph14-022510.jpg (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photo.htm)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo receives the credentials of His Excellency Moosa Abdulwahid as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Philippines during presentation of credentials Thursday (Feb. 25) at Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (Marcelino Pascua/OPS-NIB Photo)

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-feb2010/ph13-022510.jpg (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photo.htm)[/CENTER]

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo receives the credentials of His Excellency Nguyen Vu Tu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Philippines during presentation of credentials Thursday (Feb. 25) at Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (Marcelino Pascua/OPS-NIB Photo)

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-feb2010/ph12-022510.jpg (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photo.htm)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo receives His Excellency In May, outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cambodia to the Philippines during a farewell call on her Thursday (Feb. 25) at Malacanang's Music Room. (Marcelino Pascua/OPS-NIB Photo)

Source (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photo.htm)

jpdm

February 27th, 2010, 02:53 AM

hakz2007

March 3rd, 2010, 05:00 AM

UK's visa application center relocates near EDSA (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=261979)

MANILA, March 3 (PNA) — It’s now more convenient to apply in Manila for visas to the United Kingdom, with the relocation of the UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) to the EcoPlaza Building at Chino Roces Extension near EDSA in Makati City, the British embassy in Manila announced.

The new location will be inaugurated Wednesday afternoon with embassy Charge d’ Affaires Colin Crorkin and the United Kingdom Border Agency’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific James Sharp officiating.

VAC was formerly accommodated at the difficult-to-access embassy complex at exclusive McKinley Hills in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig city.

The new building increases the VAC’s overall capacity to enable handling of up to 7,000 applications per month.

“The increased seating capacity of over 160 increased submission counters and easier access to the premises will mean a more efficient overall experience for applicants,” the embassy said.

The UK Visa Applications Centre is operated by VFS Global, a commercial company which work in partnerships with the UK Border Agency at the British Embassy in the Philippines.

VFS is providing services to help residents of the Philippines apply for UK visas.

All applicants who require a visa for the UK are required to visit the Centre to submit their visa application form, supporting documents, payments and biometric data. (PNA)

xxxriainxxx

March 3rd, 2010, 01:41 PM

Our embassy in Korea looks good.:cheers:

The building was okay, but the environs are uhm yuck. It is situated on Itaewon which is Seoul's main red light district.

hakz2007

March 4th, 2010, 02:34 PM

Brazil agrees to designation of Betita as RP ambassador -- DFA (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=262186)

MANILA, March 3 (PNA) -- The Brazilian Government has granted what is known in diplomacy as its “agrément” to the designation of career diplomat Eva C. Betita as Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Sao Paolo.

In announcing Brazil’s move, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is pleased with the decision but did not explain why the granting of an agrément was considered so special that it has to be announced at this stage.

DFA said the ambassador-designate “is expected to further strengthen the warm relations between the Philippines and Brazil which were intensified by the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Brazil in June 2009, the first by an incumbent Philippine President.”

Generally, an agreement by a sovereign State to the naming of an ambassador assures that the posting has no hitches.

The previous Philippine ambassador to Sao Paolo, Teresita Bersana, has long assumed her post as chief of mission of the Philippine embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.

Betita has served in various capacities at the DFA headquarters and in posts in San Francisco, Honolulu and Sydney. (PNA)

hakz2007

March 4th, 2010, 05:49 PM

Japan launches J-Pop Anime singing tilt anew to mark RP-Japan Friendship Day (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=262443)
By Gloria Jane Baylon

MANILA, March 4 (PNA)--The annual Philippines-Japan Friendship Month in July will be celebrated with the Japanese embassy in Manila holding for the second time the successful and much-in-demand J-Pop Anime Singing Competition across the Philippines.

The grand final is calendared on July 24, Saturday, at the Cyberzone Event Center, SM North EDSA, Quezon City, the embassy said.

Registration has opened and application forms to register for the contest are available at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) Library, Embassy of Japan, 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or can be downloaded at www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp. Registration ends on May 20.

Philippines-Japan Friendship Month used to be held in February but is now celebrated in July to commemorate the designation of July 23 as “Philippines-Japan Friendship Day” by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2006. That year was the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

The contest is one of the month-long activities in July. It is open to all Filipino amateur singing groups composed of three to five members. It could include a Japanese as long as the latter will play only a supporting role in the number such as being instrumentalist, back-up vocal, or dancer.

The competing groups will perform one song popularized in J-Pop or anime in the original Japanese language. Following initial screenings, 10 groups will be invited to perform at the grand finals.

Top winners will bag free lessons from Nihongo Center Foundation and Center for Pop Music Philippines and exciting prizes from Ajinomoto, Canon, Heritage Hotel, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba and Yakult. At the grand finals, the participants can also enjoy special treats, courtesy of Yoshinoya restaurant.

The embassy said the contest aims to further promote appreciation of the Japanese language and culture among Filipinos and to strengthen the long-standing friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

The J-Pop and Anime Singing Contest is presented by the embassy in cooperation with the Japan Foundation-Manila in partnership with SM Supermalls, SM Cyberzone, TOEI Philippines, Nihongo Center Foundation, Center for Pop Music, Yoshinoya, Animation International Licensing Philippines, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc., Ajinomoto, Canon, Heritage Hotel, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Yakult, and HERO TV and MAX FM 103.5 as media partners.

For contest mechanics and further details, please visit www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp or email jicc-mnl@ma.mofa.go.jp or call 551-5710 local 2318. (PNA)

hakz2007

March 15th, 2010, 12:43 PM

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph16-031010.jpg
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo receives the credentials of His Excellency Carlos Leitao Frota, non-resident Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic in a ceremony Wednesday (Mar. 10) at Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (Exequiel Supera-OPS/NIB Photo)

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph15-031010.jpg
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo receives His Excellency Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Indonesia, during a presentation of credentials ceremony Wednesday (Mar. 10) at Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (Dado Aguilar-OPS/NIB Photo)

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph14-031010.jpg
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo receives the credentials of His Excellency Joaquin Daniel Otero, Jr., Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic during a presentation of credentials ceremony Wednesday (Mar. 10) at Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (Exequiel Supera-OS/NIB Photo)

Source (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/photo14-031010.htm)

xxxriainxxx

March 18th, 2010, 10:05 AM

Apparently the Philippine embassy moved to a new location. No updates yet on the PE-Seoul website however.

kevinb

March 18th, 2010, 10:09 AM

kiretoce

March 20th, 2010, 08:09 PM

Manila now UK’s largest visa hub in Asia-Pacific (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/248741/manila-now-uk-s-largest-visa-hub-asiapacific)

Manila is now the United Kingdom’s largest visa hub in the Asia-Pacific.

United Kingdom’s Border Agency International Group Director Barbara Woodward bared this as she said the British government is targeting 80,000 visa applications in Manila this year.

“I am delighted to be visiting the Philippines and seeing in detail the important work carried out in the British Embassy’s visa section. Our visa hub in Manila is now the largest in the Asia-Pacific region taking in applications from five different areas as well as Filipino applications,” said Woodward, who was in Manila Friday for her Asia-Pacific regional tour.

“We expect to process upwards of 80,000 applications in total this year in Manila. These present a range of interesting migration challenges for us – from dealing with those wishing to join ships to those wanting to visit, study, or settle in the UK,” she added

Woodward is the most senior migration official to visit the Philippines in recent years. She is responsible for overseeing the work of the United Kingdom Border Agency in 135 locations throughout the world.

For his part, British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie said: “People-to-people links are a vital part of the UK-RP relationship. We pride ourselves on running an efficient and customer-friendly visa operation in Manila – now Asia Pacific’s largest visa hub.”

The UK’s visa section in Manila takes in visa applications not only from the Philippines but also from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, making it the largest visa hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

The British embassy in Manila recently opened its new Visa Application Centre (VAC), located at Unit 606, 6th Floor, 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati City.

New applications for a British passport from the Philippines, however, is being handled by the British Consulate in Hong Kong to ensure efficiency and security from fraudulence and tampering.

The British embassy had warned that those who will be caught submitting fake documents will be arrested and banned from making further applications for a period of 10 years.

The UK is the first European Union member country to adopt biometrics and has so far rolled out the procedure at its visa issuing centers in many countries worldwide. Its system has been adopted by other countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Visa applicants are required to submit their biometric details such as fingerprint scans and digital photo to ensure that future applications from individuals who have used false or fraudulent documents are refused without question.

The UK Boarder Agency has intercepted increasing fraudulent applications, from 584 in 2007 to 657 in 2008 alone.

The British government is likewise planning to change its migration policies that would allow individuals applying for a citizenship in the UK to go back to their home country for a period of time while waiting for their naturalized citizenship. This “circular migration” is expected to benefit developing countries like the Philippines.

There are currently about 200,000 to 300,000 Filipinos based in the UK, most of whom are in the health sector.

kiretoce

March 20th, 2010, 08:13 PM

Filipinos face long waits to renew their passports
Consulate staff draw criticism over delays (http://www.calgaryherald.com/Filipinos+face+long+waits+renew+their+passports/2705647/story.html)

Philippine consular officials came under fire Friday for not anticipating the huge numbers that turned out for an "outreach event" in Calgary, where foreign nationals from that country could get their passports renewed.

Crowds of Filipinos from across Alberta began lining up before dawn Friday, only to wait long into the afternoon before their papers were processed.

Hundreds more people who were turned away late Friday afternoon when officials cut off the line for the day will have try again through the weekend, prompting complaints from some who stood waiting for hours.

"It's not good. Everybody's complaining. There's no system. Volunteers are few. It needs better organization, better system," said Angie Balangitan, who drove to Calgary from Edmonton and was queued up by 6 a.m. Friday at the Marlborough Community Centre, where the event is being held.

"We'll see what happens next, or we'll come back tomorrow."

The program is part of a consular passport outreach organized by the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver aimed to help immigrants, contract workers and those who need their visas and other documents renewed.

In the past, Filipinos had to travel to Vancouver to get their passports renewed, said Antonio Tolentino, a consulate volunteer.

Ten workers processed the documents as quickly as possible all day Friday, but Tolentino admitted they weren't expecting the huge crowds that snaked across the parking lot and circled onto the adjacent playing fields. Just two washrooms were available for thousands of people, and the only food and water available throughout the day had to be brought in by friends and family.

"For them, it's totally a big sacrifice. But they have no choice, because they need their papers. It's tough for them," Tolentino said.

The offices will be open again today and Sunday, and even though larger crowds are expected because people have time off work, Tolentino said he's confident everyone will be processed.

Friday, Carmen de la Cruz, 50, rested for a few moments on a portable stool one of her new friends she met in line had brought to make the wait bearable. Though lengthy, the wait is more agreeable than the expense of travelling to Vancouver, she said.

"You have to be very patient."

Sally Rioferio, 47, a live-in nanny who has been working in Calgary since October 2008, stood in line by 6 a.m., when it was cold, dark and snowing.

kiretoce

March 20th, 2010, 08:22 PM

Philippine Embassy Holds Language And Enrichment Classes (http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/2010031918072/Local-News/philippine-embassy-holds-language-and-enrichment-classes.html)

The Filipino language and cultural enrichment class at the Philippine Embassy opens today (Friday) at the Philippine Embassy.

Volunteer teachers are handling the three classes for beginners (ages six to eight), juniors (ages nine to 11) and seniors (12-14) from March 19 to 27. This programme is offered for free during this school break for children of Filipino overseas workers in Brunei. "Children who returned to the Philippines to continue their studies often struggle with their Filipino subject in school and outside the classroom.

"To help enhance the basic language skills of Filipino children whilst helping them prepare for further studies or travels to the Philippines, and rekindle their ties with their mother country, the Philippine Embassy in Brunei has been offering Pilipino Po Ako: Mag-Aral Tayong Mag-Pilipino' for the fourth time," said Minister and Consul Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat.

"Cultural enrichment activities have always been a part of the Embassy's vision for this programme. However, we saw the need to introduce the Filipino language first. Our language embodies our culture and is an essential element of our identity as Filipinos," said Minister Balatbat. "Classes on the Filipino language remained the programme's core, with the curriculum focusing on the Filipino alphabet (vowels and consonants), numbers (cardinals and ordinals), parts of the body, telling the time, and other basic elements," she said.

This morning (Friday), Minister Balatbat will be speaking in the cultural enrichment programme, which is part of the course on notable Filipinos, especially women, Philippine history and development. Carolyn Cruz, whose children have been enrolled in the programme since its pilot run in September 2008, attributed the noticeable improvement in their use of the Filipino language due to the Embassy's programme.

She also lauded several of the programme's activities intended to enhance their children's knowledge of the country's rich historical and cultural heritage such as the story-telling session on popular Filipino myths and stories such as Ibong Adarna and Juan Tamad, Minister Balatbat said. Teacher Toni Therese P Banzuela will be delivering the stories. Another resource speaker will deliver an introduction to Philippine literature and mythology, and the use of Philippine comics as a tool to teach the national language.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Philippine cuisine, from the most ancient of Philippine food, kinilaw, a way of cooking with liquid fire, to bibingka, a rice cake introduced by the Chinese, will also be discussed by the same speaker. A hands-on cooking session for a traditional Philippine snack by Rhoda Sta Maria at the Philippine Embassy will follow the introduction to Philippine cuisine.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Alexander B Yano will lead a session on showing respect for the flag, and will deliver a briefing on the Philippine peace process next week. Resource persons from Asean missions and Brunei government offices will speak on Asean day. An interfaith dialogue will also be conducted. Labour Attache Elizabeth 0 Recio will talk on financial literacy.

Cultural and Information Officer, Ruby G Banzon will make a presentation on Philippine tourist attractions. Teacher Neil Molina will introduce Philippine history and basic facts on the Philippines. Teacher Bernadette Respicio will also discuss Filipino customs, etiquette and good manners. Jojo Lemque and Ched Kaith M Vallejos are to round up the weeklong cultural enrichment programme that will tackle Philippine arts, dances and music.

There will be a tree planting at the Berakas Forest Recreational Park, with participation from the Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, and Filipino outdoor games and kite flying before the graduation ceremony the following day.

hakz2007

March 21st, 2010, 01:13 AM

DFA Secretary Romulo meets Serbian foreign minister
MANILA, March 21 (PNA) -- Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo met with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic at the sidelines of the March 16-18 Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development at the Philippine International Convention Center.

It is the first time a Serbian foreign minister visited the Philippines.

Minister Jeremic expressed his appreciation on the Filipino hospitality extended to him and lauded the Philippines’ efforts in hosting the SNAMMM and pushing for interfaith dialogue.

He said that Serbia plans to host a similar NAM ministerial meeting next year in Belgrade to mark the 50th anniversary of a NAM conference held in the Serbian capital.

For his part, Secretary Romulo reiterated the friendship the Philippines has with Serbia will continue and deepen through economic exchanges. (PNA)http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Main_News_1/DFA_Secretary_Romulo_meets_Serbian_foreign_minister.shtml

Efficient consular services an offering to the Filipino people -- Secretary Romulo
MANILA, March 21 (PNA) -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said that the modern technology and facilities in the new Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) building is an offering dedicated to the Filipino people.

“Our goal of an efficient, effective and comfortable consular services is our offering to the Filipino people as we cater to and serve their needs,” he said during the blessing on Friday of the DFA-OCA building graced by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and other guests from the business and diplomatic sectors.

Secretary Romulo said that as a frontline government agency, the DFA is determined to bring a world-class consular services to the Filipino people.

“In addition to the new consular building and the full implementation of the ePassport, we are bringing consular services closer to the Filipino people through opening more regional consular offices (RCOs) around the country and improving the services of existing ones, and through the fielding of mobile passporting services," Romulo explained.

"They do not have to spend money to go to Manila to get their passport, but only have to go to the DFA regional office nearest to them or go to our mobile passporting sites, and avail of the same fast and efficient services,” he said.

"With the opening of the new consular building and the full implementation of the ePassport, we are on our way to achieving our dream of a world-class passport and consular services,” he added.

More than the modern technology and facility, the best asset of the DFA is its people, Secretary Romulo said.

“It is the commitment and dedication of the people working in the DFA. They are our heroes,” he stressed.

The new building is part of the ongoing modernization program undertaken by Secretary Romulo to further improve the DFA’s frontline services which include harnessing new technologies in passport and visa issuances and streamlined procedures in the authentication of documents. (PNA) http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Main_News_1/Efficient_consular_services_an_offering_to_the_Filipino_people_--_Secretary_Romulo.shtml

jpdm

March 21st, 2010, 01:24 AM

DFA Secretary Romulo meets Serbian foreign minister
http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Main_News_1/DFA_Secretary_Romulo_meets_Serbian_foreign_minister.shtml

Efficient consular services an offering to the Filipino people -- Secretary Romulo
http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Main_News_1/Efficient_consular_services_an_offering_to_the_Filipino_people_--_Secretary_Romulo.shtml
Good news!:cheers:

jpdm

March 21st, 2010, 01:27 AM

hakz2007

March 23rd, 2010, 03:38 PM

Thomas confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Manila
MANILA, March 23 (PNA) — The nomination of Harry K. Thomas Jr. as U.S. ambassador to the Philippines has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate, paving the way for his arrival in Manila “within the coming weeks,” according to the U.S. embassy in Manila.

The confirmation of the U.S. Senate on March 19 “is a necessary step under the U.S. Constitution in the ambassadorial nomination process,” the embassy said in announcing the new assignment.

Thomas replaces Kristie A. Kenney, who left Manila in early January.

The embassy said he is learning Tagalog (Filipino) in preparation for his new assignment, the first in Southeast Asia.

Official biography released by the embassy said that Thomas’s last ambassadorial assignment was in Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005. He joined the Foreign Service in 1984.

He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and served most recently as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director, Human Resources.

He previously served as a Special Assistant to the Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Department.

He also served in the White House as the Director for South Asia at the National Security Council from 2001 to 2002.

His other postings included New Delhi in India, Harare in Zimbabwe, Kaduna in Nigeria, and Lima in Peru.

The incoming ambassador is from the State of New York, and speaks Spanish, Hindi, and Bangla and is learning Tagalog.

He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and pursued further study at Columbia University. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=266023

hakz2007

March 25th, 2010, 07:19 AM

RP heads of posts in Middle East/Africa meet in Manila on policy directions in the region
MANILA, March 24 (PNA) — Filipino ambassadors and consuls-general based in the Middle East and Africa, numbering about 20, begin today a meeting on the region’s policy directions and work programs for the medium and long-term, it was announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

At what is formally called the Regional Consultative Meeting/Middle East and Africa Political Consultations of Heads of Posts (RCM/MEAPCHOPS), the 20 diplomats will discuss and share their experiences, issues and concerns on the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, DFA added. The meeting ends on Friday.

The three such pillars are the preservation and enhancement of national security, the promotion and attainment of economic security, and the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas, also known as assistance to nationals (ATN).

“For this particular RCM, topics will be specific to the Middle East and Africa, as majority of our Filipinos are located in those areas, and our embassies and consulates-general should be equipped to address their needs. Also, the region is an unexplored area for economic cooperation, which can help us in our own development,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos Jr. explained.

There will also be a consultation session with Secretary Marianito Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment, according to Conejos.

The pillar of ATN, being the major bulk of work of the embassies and consulates-general in the region, will be discussed lengthily in such topics as reform packages for household service workers, addressing the deployment ban in some areas of the region, protection of migrant workers, human trafficking and illegal recruitment, Conejos said.

In the political/security aspect, the Filipino diplomats are expected to talk about the security situation and transnational crimes.

Such issues as minerals development, Islamic finance and banking, mainstreaming the halal industry, and official development assistance form part of the discussion on the pillar of economic diplomacy.

DFA said the RCM/MEAPCHOPS is a planning exercise that will determine the policy direction and work program of the Philippine embassies and consulates-general in a given region for the short and medium term. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=266329

hakz2007

March 28th, 2010, 05:29 AM

Relief of RP envoy to Germany stirs rage
THE SUDDEN REMOVAL OF the Philippine ambassador to Germany may have more to do with bilateral relations between the two countries than being another case of an unconstitutional “midnight” appointment by President Macapagal-Arroyo.

A former diplomat raised this possibility Saturday in the wake of the relief of career Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert, who has been replaced by 87-year-old businessman Alfonso Yuchengco.

The move sent shock waves within the Department of Foreign Affairs. Ironically, Albert learned about her removal last week when she flew to Manila to receive the “Most Outstanding Filipino Woman in Global Diplomacy” award from no less than the President herself.

“It’s really unusual because we normally give our officers a 60-day recall notice so he or she can do the traditional farewell calls and also officially notify the foreign office of the host country,” a senior DFA official told the Inquirer Saturday. The official asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the matter and a lack of authority to discuss it publicly.

Said Assistant Foreign Secretary Vicky Bataclan, the president of the Union of Foreign Service Officers:

“Our beef is that Mr. Alfonso Yuchengco’s appointment is void. There is no Commission on Appointments (CA) to confirm his nomination, which is [needed for] the necessary steps, like requesting his agrement from the German government.

In any case, all political ambassadors are coterminous with [the President]. This is, thus, a useless nomination to a nonexistent CA, almost void ab initio, if not unconstitutional.”

Bataclan added that by operation of law, all political ambassadors should be out of their countries of assignment on or before June 30.

No respect for int’l protocol

Jose Apolinario Lozada—a former envoy to Austria, Palau and the Holy See—said the case was more than just a last-minute appointment made by Ms Arroyo, whose term ends on June 30.

“Is there something wrong with our bilateral relations with Germany that the President had to replace Delia Albert immediately?” he said in a phone interview. “Why the haste?”

Lozada, who is running for senator under Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, added: “Besides the matter of midnight appointments, there is the more important issue concerning our international reputation, that it seems we have no respect for international protocol and the terms of service of foreign service officers.”

But Malacañang Saturday denied that there was anything irregular about the removal of Albert.

“No, it wasn’t hasty,” Gary Olivar, a deputy spokesperson of Ms Arroyo, said without elaborating.

Either-or

Lozada said the removal could either mean that Albert “did something wrong,” or that Germany might have done something that did not sit well with Manila.

“Domestically, it’s OK for us to change our people,” he said. “But in the international community where we are a small player, it’s not.”

On top of the 60-day recall notice, Lozada said an envoy who was about to be relieved was usually told about it 30 days in advance.

The senior DFA official noted that “it’s not the practice of the DFA to dispatch an ambassador until two things have occurred.”

Like Bataclan, he pointed out that a new envoy first had to be cleared by the CA and accepted by the foreign government.

He said both requirements were missing in the case of Yuchengco’s appointment, which he described as “problematic at this time.”

But when asked if the new president could end up settling the matter of Yuchengco’s appointment, he said: “That’s a possibility.”

Still, the official said Albert was not exactly irreplaceable.

“She is a political appointee because she is way past the retirement age,” the official said.

“She serves at the pleasure of the President and she is recallable at any time. As a general proposition, political appointees, like Cabinet members, are coterminous with the appointing authority. So she can only stay there, at most, up to June 30.”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100328-261201/Relief-of-RP-envoy-to-Germany-stirs-rage

hakz2007

March 28th, 2010, 10:29 AM

DFA's stance on naming of new RP envoy to Germany bared
MANILA, March 28 (PNA) -- Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. today releases the official statements from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the issue of new appointment to the Philippine ambassadorial post in Germany:

Ambassador to Germany Delia Domingo Albert retired in 2005 and has since been annually extended as a political appointee recallable at any time, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today in the wake of reports asking why she has now been recalled and a new ambassador, Al Yuchenco, named in her place.

Assistant Secretary Eduardo Malaya, spokesman of the DFA, said Albert ceased to be a career ambassador when she retired in 2005. Her term was immediately extended at that time and this has been done annually, but as a political appointee, she serves at the pleasure of the President.

"Political ambassadors are recallable any time and we in the career service know that," Malaya said.

The DFA issued the clarification in the wake of reports quoting an unnamed DFA official as saying that the recall of a "career ambassador" had sent shock waves within the DFA.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has never removed career officials unless they were promoted. She has never violated the Civil Service Law, he said.

He said that he had duly informed Albert of the appointment of Yuchengco but she was to remain at her post pending the completion of the two requirements of such ambassadorial appointments - the concurrence of the host government, in this case, Germany, and confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

With respect to the ratio between career and political appointees in the DFA, Malaya said that the DFA last October issued a statement that the Arroyo administration had appointed more career ambassadors and consuls general (72.83 percent) than political ones. This compares with 70 percent for the Estrada administration and 67 percent for the Ramos administration.

Former Civil Service Commission Chairman Patricia Sto. Tomas said that in President Arroyo's more recent appointments in the government service, the percentage of career vs political appointments had been 93.7 percent.

DFA also said that four of the most recent vacancies in the foreign service, namely, Brussels, Pretoria, Islamabad, and Hanoi, were filled with career diplomats, whose appointments were approved by the Commission on Appointments on Oct. 14, 2009.' (PNA)http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=266850

hakz2007

March 29th, 2010, 01:33 PM

PGMA names Cabactulan as new envoy to UN
MANILA, March 29 (PNA) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed Ambassador Libran Cabactulan as the new permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), replacing resigned Ambassador Hilario Davide Sr.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said in a media briefing at Malacanang on Monday that Davide resigned in the first week of March to help his son who is running for the gubernatorial post in Cebu province.

Cabactulan is assigned at the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as senior assistant for Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation with a rank of Assistant Secretary. (PNA)http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=267058

hakz2007

March 29th, 2010, 05:01 PM

Ambassadors to Belgium, Pakistan present credentials
MANILA, March 29 (PNA)—The newly-accredited Philippine ambassador to Brussels has relayed to the Belgian King Manila’s support of Brussels when the latter assumes the Presidency of the European Union in the second half of the year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.

The new ambassador, former DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, also conveyed the best wishes of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with King Albert II at the Royal Laeken Castle in Brussels after presenting his credentials on March 17.

They also talked about the plans of the Philippines for the forthcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels in October 2010, as well as recalled memories of the Belgian monarch’s visit to Manila in the 1980’s when he was still Crown Prince.

Manalo’s presentation of his credentials to Belgium and that of former Assistant Secretary of the Office of Legal Affairs Jesus I. Yabes to Pakistan were announced belatedly today by the DFA.

Yabes presented his accreditation to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Feb. 22 at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidency) in Islamabad.

Both Manalo and Yabes are career diplomats.

DFA said that the Belgian king expressed his support for strengthening the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Belgium.

They discussed the embassy’s plans to enhance Philippines-Belgium ties especially in trade, investment, cultural promotion and people-to-people contacts.

The King also recalled his visit to Manila in the 1980s when he was still the Crown Prince, and his contribution towards the realization of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. Manalo told the King that the LRT has become an integral part of Manila’s transport system.

Ambassador Yabes had a brief conversation with President Zardari during which the latter acknowledged the excellent state of relations between the Philippines and Pakistan.

DFA said Yabes pledged to work for the enhancement of the bilateral relations.

At the end of the meeting, Zardari presented Yabes with the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's book, “Reconciliation.” Zardari is Bhutto’s widower.

Manalo served as Undersecretary for Policy (2007-2010) before his posting to Belgium. He also served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva (2003-2007). He was Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2000-2003) and Assistant Secretary, Office of European Affairs (1998-2000), among others.

Yabes served as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Legal Affairs prior to his posting. He was also Assistant Secretary of the Office of Middle East and African Affairs (2008), Philippine Consul General to Shanghai (2002-2007), Philippine Ambassador to Singapore (1992-2002); Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister and Consul General to Tokyo (1996-1999), among others. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=12&rid=267091

xxxriainxxx

April 7th, 2010, 08:06 AM

The New Consular Building of DFA at Macapagal Avenue.

Map:

http://epassport.com.ph/img/location-map.gif

Photos taken yesterday.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/SSC%20pix/DFA1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/SSC%20pix/DFA2.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/SSC%20pix/DFA3.jpg

Inside the Authentication Office - yes. sobrang dami ng tao dun.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/SSC%20pix/DFA4.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/SSC%20pix/DFA5.jpg

kiretoce

April 7th, 2010, 08:08 AM

^^ Kindly resize your photos, they're too big. Thanks! :okay:

xxxriainxxx

April 7th, 2010, 08:18 AM

^^ Kindly resize your photos, they're too big. Thanks! :okay:

I know... but I dunno how. Can you do it for me? ;) Thanks

kiretoce

April 7th, 2010, 08:33 AM

^^ Done. :colgate:

xxxriainxxx

April 7th, 2010, 08:34 AM

^^ Done. :colgate:

Salamat po! :)

kiretoce

April 7th, 2010, 08:35 AM

^^ No prob. :okay:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/kiretoce/SSC%20pix/DFA3.jpg

Tsk..tsk..tsk..I just noticed this. They incorrectly spelled the word "ENROLLMENT." Sigh.... :ohno:

xxxriainxxx

April 7th, 2010, 09:50 AM

^^ No prob. :okay:

Tsk..tsk..tsk..I just noticed this. They incorrectly spelled the word "ENROLLMENT." Sigh.... :ohno:

British spelling. ;)

kiretoce

April 7th, 2010, 10:16 AM

^^ If that was the British way of spelling, then "center" should've been spelled as CENTRE. ;)

xxxriainxxx

April 7th, 2010, 10:54 AM

^^ If that was the British way of spelling, then "center" should've been spelled as CENTRE. ;)

British American then. ;)

diz

April 8th, 2010, 08:52 AM

Nope. That's an epic fail.

As far as I'm concerned, we are influenced by American English. I noticed that at first glance.

kiretoce

April 12th, 2010, 04:13 AM

"Magandang gabi," new US envoy greets Filipinos at NAIA (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100412-263762/Magandang-gabi-new-US-envoy-greets-Filipinos-at-NAIA)

The United States’ new ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Thomas Jr., arrived in Manila on Saturday night and tried his Tagalog on welcomers, greeting them with, “Magandang gabi sa inyong lahat (Good evening to all of you).”

“I am delighted to be here to take up my responsibility as ambassador,” Thomas said in brief remarks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Rebecca Thompson, the US embassy’s press attaché, said Thomas would be presenting his credentials to Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo on Monday.

The envoy cited the strong ties between the two countries. “We are great friends and we have much to do together. I look forward to working with the people of the Philippines,” he said.

He touched on what his father, Harry Sr., had to say about the Philippines after the latter’s stay here at the end of World War II.

“My father always told me what a great time he had with the people of the Philippines. I hope I can live up to the work he and his colleagues did here,” he said.

Linguist

According to a US Embassy statement, Thomas, who is fluent in Spanish, Hindi and Bengali, is learning Tagalog. He ended his arrival speech at the NAIA with, “Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat (Many, many thanks to all of you).”

Thomas, 53, is the first African-American ambassador to the Philippines. He succeeded Kristie Kenney, the first woman US ambassador to the Philippines.

Thomas served most recently as director general of the foreign service and director for human resources of the US Department of State.

He served as a special assistant to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and later as executive secretary of the state department.

Thomas joined the foreign service in 1984. He was the US ambassador to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005. He also served in the White House as director for South Asia in the National Security Council from 2001 to 2002.

Briefed Bush

He was also posted in India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Peru.

While serving in the White House in 2001, Thomas briefed President George W. Bush as the US was negotiating to keep India
and Pakistan from going to war.

In 2006, Thomas headed a task force that evacuated 15,000 US citizens from Lebanon at the height of clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants.

Born in New York City’s Harlem district on June 3, 1956, Thomas is a graduate of the Jesuit-run College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. He pursued further studies at Columbia University in New York.

He and his wife Ericka Ovette, a jazz singer, have a daughter, Casey Marie.

naughtycalboy

April 12th, 2010, 04:41 AM

^^ No prob. :okay:

Tsk..tsk..tsk..I just noticed this. They incorrectly spelled the word "ENROLLMENT." Sigh.... :ohno:

I noticed that too.

kiretoce

April 12th, 2010, 04:48 AM

^^ They could've save themselves the embarrassment by naming it "Passport Registration Center." Assuming that they also know how to spell "registration" correctly. :lol:

hakz2007

April 13th, 2010, 03:08 AM

New U.S. ambassador to Manila pays courtesies at DFA
MANILA, April `12 (PNA)—The newly-designated U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. paid a a courtesy call on Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Esteban B. Conejos, Jr. at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Monday afternoon.

The DFA said Conejos and Thomas had “a cordial and pleasant exchange on a range of subjects,” but did not specify.

Thomas will assume his post at the U.S. embassy after presenting his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Presidnt Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who happens to be in Washington.

In a statement on his arrival on Saturday, and issued by the U.S. embassy today, Thomas reiterated the long-standing special relations between America and the Philippines “as treaty partners…great friends, and we have much to do together.”

”I look forward to working with the people of the Philippines and the people of America and to learn a lot about each other,” he said.

Thomas said that his father had been in the Philippines after World War II and had a great time with Filipinos. “I hope that I can live up to the work that he and his colleagues did here on behalf of the Philippines."

Thomas previously served as ambassador to Bangladesh, and replaced Kristie Kenney in Manila.http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=269382

diz

April 18th, 2010, 08:10 PM

Singapore Embassy in BGC.

http://www.wallpaper.com/galleryimages/17051570/gallery/01_manilla_gf221209.jpg

kiretoce

April 19th, 2010, 04:13 AM

^^ That looks like a car dealership showroom of some kind. :colgate:

red_jasper

May 17th, 2010, 03:21 PM

New online US visa application process for Philippines (http://www.globalvisas.com/news/new_online_us_visa_application_process_for_philippines2334.html)
May 17 2010 by Liam Clifford

Anyone from the Philippines who hopes to travel to the US on a US visa can now apply online through the new DS-160 form.

Applications for a non-immigrant US visa can now be made online, said a statement from the US embassy in Manila. The statement read: 'The new on-line application form replaces three paper forms, so it should be easier and faster for clients to complete their applications.'

The online form allows people to complete part of their application online, save the information they have entered and complete the rest of the form later on. Entered information can also be used again or a later application.

The US embassy said that the new form, as well as being more convenient and quicker, is more environmentally friendly as it cuts down on paperwork. The press statement added further explanation of what the form involves: 'the new form has two key changes. The DS-160 form is submitted electronically, through the Internet, replacing paper forms. Also, the online form requires applicants to upload a digital photograph from the computers they use to complete the application.'

RonnieR

May 26th, 2010, 05:20 AM

US visa fees to increase on June 4
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 05/25/2010 1:33 PM | Updated as of 05/25/2010 1:33 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The fees for the processing of US visas will increase on June 4, 2010, the US Department of State announced.

“The US embassy in Manila will immediately begin collecting the new fees for appointments made for June 4 or later,” the US Department of State said.

The department said the increase for the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) will ensure sufficient resources to meet the increasing cost of processing non-immigrant visas.

It added that the new fee for tourist/business visas (B1/B2 category), seafarer/crew visas (C1/D), student visas (F), and exchange visitor visas (J) will be $140 or the equivalent in pesos. The new MRV fee for work visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will be $150. Trader/investor visas (E) will rise to $390. Fiancé/Spouse (K) visas will be $350. All other non-immigrant categories will be $140.

Applicants with appointment interview dates on or after June 4 will be required to pay the new fees. Those who are scheduled before June 4 will pay visa fees at the current rate of $131.

All applicants with an interview date of June 4 or later must pay the full MRV fee, even if they have already made an appointment and paid at the old rate of $131.

“The embassy requests that visa applicants who have already paid the MRV fee of $131 for an appointment scheduled after June 4 pay for the difference in fees at the same bank branch where they made the initial $131 payment,” it stated.

It further stated that applicants will not be allowed to enter the embassy for their scheduled interview unless the full MRV fee has been paid.

april boy

July 19th, 2010, 02:25 AM

^^^^:ohno:

Kalemakapii

August 28th, 2010, 07:05 AM

South Korea is going to build a new embassy in BGC. Read it in the Bulletin yesterday. But, the paper did not say where in BGC... does anyone know the exact location? Is it going to be near the Singapore Embassy?

Bosnyboy

August 28th, 2010, 07:51 AM

AngMiron

August 31st, 2010, 05:26 PM

Parang may report na dati na sa mckinley hills ata

I saw the new Korean Embassy the other day. Sa McKinley Hill nga.

hakz2007

October 10th, 2010, 11:00 AM

Manolo Lopez is next Philippine ambassador to Japan
MANILA, Philippines - Manuel "Manolo" Lopez will be the next Philippine ambassador to Japan replacing Domingo Siazon.

Official sources confirmed to abs-cbnNEWS.com that President Benigno Aquino would name Lopez, former head of the country's largest power distributor, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), as the country's next ambassador to Japan.

Lopez is chairman and chief executive officer of Lopez Holdings Corp. (formerly Benpres Holdings Corp.), holding firm of Lopez family companies such as ABS-CBN, First Pacific Holdings Corp., Bayan Telecommunications Holdings Corp..

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on Sunday that President Aquino has named Lopez ambassador to Japan, and Merceditas Arrastia-Tuason as ambassador to the Vatican.

"Lopez, one of five ambassadors that Mr. Aquino said he has chosen for various foreign missions, is a key political supporter of Mr. Aquino," the Inquirer said.

Tuason was a "close friend" of the late former President Cory Aquino, the PDI said.

Siazon was named ambassador to Japan in 1993 by President Fidel Ramos. He became foreign secretary in 1995 after the resignation of Roberto Romulo following the diplomatic row over the Flor Contemplacion case.

Former President Gloria Arroyo reappointed him to Tokyo after Joseph Estrada was ousted from office. Siazon served as Estrada's foreign affairs secretary.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/10/10/manolo-lopez-next-philippine-ambassador-japan

mygz14

October 10th, 2010, 02:49 PM

I saw the new Korean Embassy the other day. Sa McKinley Hill nga.

It's beside the British Embassy, at the corner of McKinley Hill and C5.

JudeD

October 13th, 2010, 11:51 AM

guess where :)

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/helsinki078.jpg

kiretoce

October 14th, 2010, 03:35 AM

^^ Helsinki, Finland :colgate:

Bootkin

June 1st, 2011, 01:51 PM

can anyone post pictures of our embassies and consulates in the middle east

Here's the one in Riyadh:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5000620769_3180a6f15f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lyncet/5000620769/)
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY(RIYADH,KSA) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lyncet/5000620769/) by LYNCET (http://www.flickr.com/people/lyncet/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3824021422_11d64ec6fa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherwinnora/3824021422/)
Patio @ The Philippine Embassy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherwinnora/3824021422/) by ` bluechip® (http://www.flickr.com/people/sherwinnora/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5001224310_b2e044762f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lyncet/5001224310/)
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY(LAGOON) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lyncet/5001224310/) by LYNCET (http://www.flickr.com/people/lyncet/), on Flickr

More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/-voodoo-/3515410746/

Philippine Embassy Kuwait
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4590643051_afa9825b2a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43697525@N04/4590643051/)
philippine embassy,kuwait (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43697525@N04/4590643051/) by chipychipschips (http://www.flickr.com/people/43697525@N04/), on Flickr

Philippine Embassy Doha
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1306/4693136663_491ce8c259_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24503528@N08/4693136663/)
112th Phil.Independence day celebration (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24503528@N08/4693136663/) by elmer 09 (http://www.flickr.com/people/24503528@N08/), on Flickr

Philippine Embassy Manama
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4389032933_7050b026cd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12210602@N02/4389032933/)
Philippine Embassy in Bahrain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12210602@N02/4389032933/) by JimClamor (http://www.flickr.com/people/12210602@N02/), on Flickr

kiretoce

June 2nd, 2011, 02:20 AM

^^ Nice photos. :colgate:

RepublicaNegrense

October 29th, 2011, 02:22 AM

CONSULATES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Located in MANILA
Benin
Burkina Faso
Jamaica
Jordan
Poland
Tanzania
Tunisia

Located in ANGELES CITY
Eritrea
Romania

Located in CALOOCAN CITY
Slovakia

Located in CEBU CITY
Austria
Canada
Chile
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Israel
Japan
Korea, South
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

Located in DAVAO CITY
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Palau

Located in GENERAL SANTOS CITY
Papua New Guinea

Located in LAOAG CITY
China

Located in MANDALUYONG CITY
Peru
Slovenia

Located in MAKATI CITY
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Eritrea
Finland
Gambia
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guinea
Haiti
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Kenya
Monaco
Morocco
Nepal
Oman
Palestinian Authority
Panama
San Marino
Serbia
Syria
Taiwan (Republic of China)*
Togo
Ukraine
Uruguay
Vanuatu

Located in MUNTINLUPA CITY
Lebanon
Micronesia

Located in OLONGAPO CITY
Estonia
Lithuania
Papua New Guinea

Located in PARAÑAQUE CITY
Gabon

Located in PASAY CITY
Estonia
Latvia
Maldives
Tonga

Located in PASIG CITY
El Salvador
Honduras
Lithuania
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Nicaragua
Seychelles
Timor Leste
Tuvalu

Located in QUEZON CITY
Cyprus
Djibouti
Guatemala
Zambia

Located in SAN JUAN CITY
Kiribati

Located in TAGUIG CITY
Senegal
Paraguay

Located in ZAMBOANGA CITY
Spain

*Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines,
de facto embassy of the Republic of China.

Updated List as of October, 2011. New consulates or new location of consulates italicized. :okay:

hakz2007

January 21st, 2012, 09:12 AM

Pinoys in Palau ask PHL govt not to close down embassy
Filipinos in the island-nation of Palau are asking President Benigno Aquino III to reconsider the Philippine government’s decision to close down the embassy there.

The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) said they would like Aquino to read their petition, which noted that the embassy is their second home. Read more (http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/245182/pinoyabroad/pinoys-in-palau-ask-phl-govt-not-to-close-down-embassy)

yeontura

January 22nd, 2012, 01:42 PM

guess where :)

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/helsinki078.jpg

Finland, perkele. xD

hakz2007

February 17th, 2012, 09:44 AM

OFWs protest against planned closure of Philippine embassies, consulates
MANILA – A global alliance of overseas Filipino workers express alarm over plans of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to close 12 Philippine embassies and consulates abroad by the end of the year. Migrante International said OFWs are up in arms against the DFA’s plan and expressed their disappointment over the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

In a statement, Migrante International chairman Garry Martinez said, “The DFA had announced plans to close down at least 12 Philippine embassies and consulates last year, during budget deliberations, as part of the Aquino administration’s so-called austerity measures. The plan is to complete the closures by the end of 2012. They, however, refused to disclose which embassies or consulates are in danger of closing down.” Read more (http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/17/ofws-protest-against-planned-closure-of-philippine-embassies-consulates/)

xxxriainxxx

February 18th, 2012, 09:01 AM

Philippine Embassy in Hanoi:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/31168_435805856281_530586281_6213559_1594484_n.jpg

Manila-X

February 18th, 2012, 03:33 PM

Manila-X

February 18th, 2012, 03:35 PM

OFWs protest against planned closure of Philippine embassies, consulates
Read more (http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/17/ofws-protest-against-planned-closure-of-philippine-embassies-consulates/)

The embassies that should close down are the ones there our country's affairs with that particular country is not so great plus only have a small presence of Pinoys.

xxxriainxxx

February 18th, 2012, 04:48 PM

^^ I don't think consulates and embassies should be closed down at all. There are so many Filipinos present all over the world and might need assistance when need arises.

kiretoce

February 19th, 2012, 05:26 AM

^^ With budgets tightening, it's a prudent idea for foreign governments to move their representative offices to a central location within a geographic region. Our own Department of Foreign Affairs also do that by setting up de facto consular offices; here's a list of Philippine embassies that have jurisdiction of its nationals/citizens living in other nearby (relatively speaking) countries:

Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires

Bolivia
Paraugay
Peru

Philippine Embassy in Canberra

Nauru
Tuvalu
Vanuatu

Philippine Embassy in Vienna

Croatia
Slovakia
Slovenia

Philippine Embassy in Dhaka

Sri Lanka
Maldives

Philippine Embassy in Brussels

Luxembourg

Philippine Embassy in Brasilia

Colombia
Guyana
Suriname

Philippine Embassy in Santiago

Ecuador
Peru

Philippine Embassy in Beijing

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Mongolia

Philippine Embassy in Havana

Dominican Republic
Haiti
Jamaica

Philippine Embassy in Cairo

Djibouti
Eritrea
Ethiopia
South Sudan
Sudan

Philippine Embassy in Paris

Monaco

Philippine Embassy in Athens

Cyprus

Philippine Embassy in Budapest

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Montenegro
Serbia

Philippine Embassy in New Delhi

Nepal

Philippine Embassy in Rome

Albania

Philippine Embassy in Nairobi

Burundi
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Republic of
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritius
Rwanda
Seychelles
Somalia
Tanzania
Uganda

Philippine Embassy in Tripoli

Malta

Philippine Embassy in Mexico City

Belize
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama

Philippine Embassy in Wellington

Fiji
Samoa
Tonga

Philippine Embassy in Abuja

Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)
Liberia
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo

Philippine Embassy in Oslo

Denmark
Iceland

Philippine Embassy in Islamabad

Afghanistan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan

Philippine Embassy in Koror

Micronesia
Marshall Islands

Philippine Embassy in Port Moresby

Kiribati
Solomon Islands

Philippine Embassy in Bucharest

Bulgaria
Moldova

Philippine Embassy in Moscow

Armenia
Belarus
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

Yemen

Philippine Embassy in Pretoria

Angola
Botswana
Lesotho
Mozambique
Namibia
Swaziland
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Philippine Embassy in Madrid

Andorra
Morocco

Philippine Embassy in Stockholm

Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania

Philippine Embassy in Bern

Liechtenstein

Philippine Embassy in Ankara

Azerbaijan
Georgia

Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC

Grenada