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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CELEBRATES 120 YEARS OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE IN A GRAND CULTURAL SHOWCASE FOR THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

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Published: 26 June 2018

(Santiago, 02 June 2018) – The Philippine Embassy in Chile celebrated the 120^th Independence Day of the Philippines with a historic gathering of almost 400 Filipinos at the Parroquia Italiana in Santiago on 02 June 2018. This turnout represents more than half of the estimated 711 Filipino nationals currently residing in the country.

The Embassy sponsored a cultural and modern dance competition to celebrate the milestone event and showcase Filipino talent to a mixed audience of Filipinos, Chileans and foreign guests. The cultural dance competition featured Filipino folk dances originating from various provinces in the Philippines and displaying the colorful clothes and character of each region. The modern dance competition meanwhile showcased how Filipino talent has evolved and merged with contemporary trends and style throughout the years.

In line with this year’s theme Independence 2018: Change We Fought For, An Offering To An Abundant Future or Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay Sa Masaganang Kinabukasan, Chargé d’Affaires Marcos A.S. Punsalang invited the community to look back and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of Filipinos who selflessly fought for freedom many decades ago. He also encouraged attendees to use the lessons of the past and the values displayed by Filipino heroes—patriotism, estimable work ethics, resilience, and a deeply set determination to uphold one’s own traditions—to once again inspire and guide Filipinos in charting their future toward being a self-reliant and successful republic.

This successful celebration is one of two Philippine national day celebrations to be held in Chile this year. The next celebration will be held on 14 June 2018 together with members of the diplomatic corps, Chilean government officials and other VIPs. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOLDS A LECTURE ON PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND CHALLENGES AT THE UNIVESIDAD CATOLICA

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Published: 26 June 2018

CDA Marcos A.S. Punsalang poses with Universidad Catolica’s International Relations Students

(Santiago, 10 May 2018) – In line with the Philippine Embassy’s efforts to increase awareness about the Philippines, specifically by Chilean academics and students, Chargé d’Affaires Marcos A.S. Punsalang held a lecture on Philippine development issues and challenges at the Universidad Catolica de Chile on 10 May 2018. In attendance were International Relations students of from the Faculty of History, Geography and Political Science.

CDA Punsalang displayed statistics explaining the sound macroeconomic fundamentals fueling the stellar growth of the Philippine economy and outlined the 10-point Socio-Economic Agenda of the Duterte administration supporting this momentum. He also critiqued a presentation made by students on the same topic and responded to queries on ASEAN, labor migration, alleged extrajudicial killings, terrorism, the South China Sea dispute, and the very recent Philippine-Kuwait diplomatic row.

Professor Nicole Jenne, facilitator of the event, conveyed the Universidad Catolica’s profound appreciation for the Embassy’s lecture and, more importantly, for the Embassy’s clarification about the Philippine government’s position and initiatives in resolving these pressing issues. The Embassy underscored to the attendees that many of the government’s ongoing and very positive efforts to resolve these issues are done through diplomatic channels which do not always appear in mainstream dailies and international media.

CDA Punsalang was joined by Consul Dennis John Briones in the Q & A and open forum. This is his second year lecturing at the Universidad Catolica. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH AND OVERSEAS VOTING REGISTRATION IN GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

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Published: 26 June 2018

Consul Dennis John Briones (seated 4^th from left), Honorary Consul Corazon Oliva-Reyes (seated 3^rd from left), and Santiago PE personnel pose with the Filipino community in Guayaquil

(Ecuador, 24 March 2018) – The Philippine Embassy in Chile successfully conducted a consular outreach and overseas voting registration for the small community of Filipinos in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The event also served as the Embassy’s annual meeting with Filipino coordinators in the country.

More than 60 Filipino nationals attended the meeting jointly organized by the Embassy and Philippine Honorary Consul in Guayaquil, Madame Corazon Oliva-Reyes. A total of 29 Filipino nationals benefited from mobile passporting services and another 12 registered for overseas voting for midterm elections in 2019.

Consul Dennis John Briones outlined important consular and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) reminders, and discussed procedures for retaining and reacquiring Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225. Consul Briones also underscored the importance of voting during next year’s senatorial elections.

A ceremony was held to award Consul Oliva-Reyes with a DFA Loyalty Silver Pin marking her 25^th year of selflessly serving the Filipino community in Guayaquil. Consul Briones congratulated her for being a living Filipino institution in Ecuador and thanked her for making her own residence an invaluable “home away from home” for all Filipinos in the country throughout the decades.

The Consular Outreach Team was composed of Consul Dennis John Briones, Consular Assistant and Attaché Ferlina F. Camento and Finance Officer Jeany V. Macadangdang. END