Consular Services Appointment System
Museo Pambata mentors PCG personnel on Fostering children’s learning through art
Shanghai – On the occasion of Museum and Galleries Month 2023 in the Philippines, PCG personnel received valuable mentoring from experts in education, arts, and museology on Philippine Contemporary Art and the role of art in the growth and development of children.
The livestream event “Laro Sining, at Imahinasyon: An Interactive Learn and Play Experience” helmed and hosted by the Museo Pambata (Children’s Museum) in Manila and the Department of Foreign Affairs on 19 October, featured children’s book illustrator Liza Flores, Museo Pambata President Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, and Adarna House VP Dr. Ani Rosa Almario, and teacher and clay artist Ali Estrella.
PCG was represented by Cultural Officer Ms. Jeannie F. Petrola, Property Officer Jennifer Ranches, and Consular Assistant Julie Cris L. Dominguez.
The insights and practical learnings from the session are seen to enhance the PCG’s Cultural Diplomacy program, including those geared toward young Chinese audiences.
In 2021 and 2022, the PCG hosted groups of “young journalists” and “young ambassadors” in partnership with local NGOs, to promote awareness and appreciation of the Philippines and its culture, as well as Philippine-China ties.
The interactive learn-and-play experience also featured a 360° virtual tour of the Museo Pambata, which first opened its doors to the public in 1994. Apart from exhibits, it undertakes educational programs and special activities anchored on the advocacy of children’s rights, primarily on their right to education, health, recreation, and mental and physical development. END
PH Consul General leads roundtable with Shanghai Leader on Municipal Continuous Improvement
SHANGHAI – Consul General Josel F. Ignacio led municipal stakeholders in a fruitful dialogue with a ranking official of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on opportunities for Shanghai’s further enhancement, on 10 October.
The dialogue took place at the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association’s (SPDA) 9th Riverside Meeting Hall event, dubbed “Impression Shanghai”, at the Shanghai International Convention Center.
Chaired by SPDA President and CPPCC National Committee member Mr. ZHOU Hanmin, the annual roundtable event engages various stakeholders in open discussion to secure candid feedback and advice regarding the Municipality’s policies and systems, with a view to identifying areas for improvement.
Also participating were Slovak Consul General Igor Pacolak, Shisheido China Region VP Anri Nakahara, Price Waterhouse Coopers officer Tadatoshi Takahashi, Malaysian Chinese Cultural Center Chair Dato Goh Hin San, Trans-Himalayan Association Chair Rajiv Kumar Jha, Vincent Sun of the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, and representatives of news agencies such as the Asia Pacific Daily, Shanghai Daily, Laos News Agency, Indonesia International Daily Group.
Chairman Zhou carefully took note of the comments and assured participants that these would be elevated to the relevant authorities.
Consul General Ignacio opened the discussions, as principal guest and speaker. He raised topics crucial to the Consulate General’s pursuit of its economic, cultural and consular mandates. He thanked the SPDA for affording stakeholders a venue to put forward observations and recommendations to the city. “Shanghai’s high-quality development has turned it into the trailblazer in China’s path to modernization, and this Dialogue can only help the Municipality truly grow as a city of high standards and the best home for its populace”, said the Consul General. END
Senator Go meets with Filipinos in Hangzhou
Local FilCom Organization formed as PH Mounts Asiad Campaign
HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go assured Filipinos in Hangzhou on 03 October of whole-of-government support for their welfare and of his personal commitment to this cause.
The pledge was made at a dinner get-together hosted by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio for the visiting Senator and the city’s Filipino residents at the Homey88 restaurant in Gongshu District, co-owned by kababayan Christian Valdellon.
In attendance were about 20 Filipinos from across Hangzhou who constitute the nucleus of the nascent organization dubbed Hangzhou Filipino Community.
Senator Go, who is Senate Committee on Sports Chair, expressed elation at the opportunity to meet the city’s Filipinos against the backdrop of their collective support for the Philippines’ medal bid at the then ongoing 19th Asian Games.
He outlined his legislative initiatives to advance OFW interests, including his co-authorship of Republic Act No. 11641 creating the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and his push for a dedicated OFW hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Addressing the gathering, host Consul General Ignacio thanked the Senator for setting time aside to engage the city’s Filipinos true to his “Bisyo ay Serbiyo” slogan. He also lauded the Filipinos for banding together and forming an organization which would facilitate coordination and service delivery. For some years and until this development, the municipal capital of Zhejiang has had no organized group of Filipinos notified to the Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai.
Co-founder Lorelei Saren, an academic, first reached out to the PCG concerning the group’s formation in late September. The PCG lost no time organizing the get-together, seizing the opportunity of Senator Go and the Consul General’s presence in the city.
Joining the event were officials from PCG in Shanghai, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and compatriots from the port city of Ningbo.
While in Hangzhou, Senator Go lent his full and enthusiastic support to Filipino athletes, attending basketball, athletics, boxing and other matches and cheering for the Philippines. END