Envoys & Expats

NOVEMBER 25 marks the start of the 18-day campaign on Violence Against Women (VAW) in the Philippines. This year, the Embassies of Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, as well as SheDecides Philippines, Filipino Freethinkers, Pinay Bike Commuter Community, Break the Cycle and Bikers’ United Movement will launch #ShareTheRoadWithHer for its sixth edition.

NEW ZEALAND’S auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa docked in Manila on October 30 for a three-day goodwill visit as part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) largest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, as it helped strengthen the longstanding maritime and diplomatic ties of the Oceanic nation with the Philippines.

AFTER more than a month of waiting and enduring the Gaza Strip’s relentless bombardment, a total of 111 out of the 137 Filipino nationals, with the guidance of the Philippine Embassy (PE) in Jordan, successfully crossed the Rafah Border on November 12, 2023 in five batches which started five days prior.

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines and the Australian Embassy handed over ground survey and office equipment to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to support the generation of severe wind and storm-surge hazard and risk maps, as well as localized climate data for provinces.

THE German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) presented possibilities in the local transportation front and infrastructure upgrading, among others, in a recent gathering.

A KEY embassy official reiterated Japan’s vital role in maintaining a common, multilateral goal of preserving the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.

WITH more than 40 years of distinguished experience in public service through her domestic and overseas postings, veteran ambassador Monina Estrella Callangan Rueca imparted her expertise to Pasig City’s local government units (LGU) officials on the proper rules and decorum in promoting diplomatic relations.

Norway’s honorary consul to Cebu and Negros Occidental Candice Gotianuy received the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in a ceremony led by Ambassador Christian Lyster on October 2, 2023.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke (left) exchanged ideas with Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma on potential areas of cooperation in labor and employment, and expressed optimism for the continued success of the bilateral relationship between their countries.

Embassy officials from Japan led by Minister and Consul-General Takahiro Hanada (fourth from right), as well as Ambassador HK Yu PSM of Australia (third from right) plus those from the United States—including Philippine government officials, representatives of veterans’ organizations and guests, graced the commemoration of 79th year of the Leyte Gulf Landings on October 20, 2023.

A LOGO commemorating six decades of relations between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) in 2024 was unveiled on October 18.

TWO of the Philippines’s closest allies saw participation in the “Sama-Sama” multilateral exercise, which was hosted by the United States Navy and the Philippine Navy to bolster cooperation and realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific” with like-minded countries.

As keynote speaker of the event held in Quezon City, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (back row, center) emphasized the importance of continuing engagement and cooperation in the various activities and programs to collectively strengthen risk-management capabilities and explore more areas for collaboration in ensuring safer, stronger, and more secured workplaces in the region.

IN celebration of both its National Day and the 50-year milestone of two-way ties with the Philippines, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila hosted a grand reception on October 16.

INSPIRED by its rugged terrain, Norwegian design can find its distinct characteristic through its fluid connection with nature and its subtle design features that combine form and function.

JAKARTA—Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Asean Sujiro Seam, Deputy Secretary-General of Asean for Socio-Cultural Community Ekkaphab Phanthavong and the Ambassador-Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to Asean Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana officially launched the start of the “EU-Asean Green Diplomacy Weeks” on October 15 in Jakarta, Indonesia.