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Foreign Diplomatic Missions in the Philippines, and Philippine Diplomatic Missions abroad

98K views 180 replies 53 participants last post by  Yahooo 
#1 ·
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
Code:
[B][U]Located in MANILA[/U][/B]
Australia
Kuwait
Palau
United States
Vietnam

[B][U]Located in MAKATI CITY[/U][/B]
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

[B][U]Located in PASAY CITY[/U][/B]
Japan
Saudi Arabia

[B][U]Located in QUEZON CITY[/U][/B]
Colombia

CONSULATES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Code:
[B][U]Located in MANILA[/U][/B]
Jamaica
Tanzania
Tunisia

[B][U]Located in CEBU CITY[/U][/B]
Austria
Canada
China
Japan
Netherlands
Thailand
Turkey
United States

[B][U]Located in DAVAO CITY[/U][/B]
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia

[B][U]Located in LAOAG CITY[/U][/B]
China

[B][U]Located in MANDALUYONG CITY[/U][/B]
Peru
Slovenia

[B][U]Located in MAKATI CITY[/U][/B]
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
Ecuador
Iceland
Ireland
Seychelles
Ukraine
Uruguay
Vanuatu

[B][U]Located in MUNTINLUPA CITY[/U][/B]
Timor-Leste

[B][U]Located in PASAY CITY[/U][/B]
Latvia

[B][U]Located in PASIG CITY[/U][/B]
Malta
Marshall Islands

[B][U]Located in QUEZON CITY[/U][/B]
Cyprus

[B][U]Located in TAGUIG CITY[/U][/B]
Senegal


**Taiwan has a "Cultural Office" in MANILA

NON-RESIDENT DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS TO THE PHILIPPINES
Code:
[B][U]Located in BANGKOK[/U][/B]
Nepal
North Korea
Poland

[B][U]Located in BEIJING[/U][/B]
Albania
Bahrain
Eritrea
Lesotho

[B][U]Located in HANOI[/U][/B]
Mongolia

[B][U]Located in JAKARTA[/U][/B]
Hungary
Serbia
Slovakia

[B][U]Located in KUALA LUMPUR[/U][/B]
Algeria
Fiji
Ghana
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Mauritius
Oman
Sudan
Swaziland
Yemen
Zimbabwe

[B][U]Located in SEOUL[/U][/B]
Gabon

[B][U]Located in SINGAPORE[/U][/B]
Angola

[B][U]Located in TAIPEI[/U][/B]
Gambia

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

[B][U]Located in WELLINGTON[/U][/B]
Samoa
 
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#55 · (Edited by Moderator)
:dunno:

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

cuz this photo...


looks like this...


source
:)
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).
 
#57 ·
opisina ni joma...

^^:lol:
 
#60 ·
^^ 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! :eek:kay:
 
#63 ·
Kristie Kenney ends her tour of duty as US envoy to RP

Kenney out as Obama names new US ambassador to RP
By Michaela P. del Callar
The Daily Tribune
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.
 
#64 ·
Kenney out as Obama names new US ambassador to RP
By Michaela P. del Callar
The Daily Tribune
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.
Kenney is a very down to earth ambassador.

She has shown a new image of the mighty United States.
 
#70 ·
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...^^
 
#71 ·
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.
 
#80 ·

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)





[/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)




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
 
#82 ·
UK's visa application center relocates near EDSA

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)
 
#84 ·
Brazil agrees to designation of Betita as RP ambassador -- DFA

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)
 
#85 ·
Japan launches J-Pop Anime singing tilt anew to mark RP-Japan Friendship Day
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)
 
#86 ·

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)


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)


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
 
#89 ·
Manila now UK’s largest visa hub in Asia-Pacific

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.
 
#94 ·
Manila now UK’s largest visa hub in Asia-Pacific

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.
:cheers::cheers:
 
#90 ·
Filipinos face long waits to renew their passports
Consulate staff draw criticism over delays


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.
 
#91 ·
Philippine Embassy Holds Language And Enrichment Classes

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.
 
#92 ·
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)
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