GOVPH

PH Country Team receives first-aid training on National Disability Prevention Week

SHANGHAI – Personnel and family members of the Philippine country team in Shanghai received instruction on the fundamentals of First Aid from medical practitioners affiliated with Shanghai Ren’ai Hospital-International Medical Center (SRIMC) on 21 July.

The training was organized in pursuit of the Consulate General’s Gender and Development (GAD) and Personnel Wellness objectives. It was also in commemoration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, observed by the Philippines every third week of July, culminating every 23 July – the birthdate of paralytic revolutionary and statesman Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903).

Conducting the training was surgeon and physician Dr. Khelu Shrestha, assisted by nurse Ellen Su Lin and interpreter Hou Shili.

The session covered lectures on the key principles of First Aid and the proper conduct of techniques such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, the Heimlich maneuver and the administration of initial care for fractures, wounds and burns.

These were complementation by demonstrations and simulations that saw the enthusiastic participation of staff.

Within the context of disability prevention, the WHO recognizes First Aid as key to identifying and caring for impairments -- any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function -- that could lead to disability.

Consul General Josel F. Ignacio keynoted the activity, and at its conclusion, presented Certificates of Appreciation to the resource persons. SRIMC, in turn, turned over a donation consisting of a wheelchair and some medical supplies for the Consulate General’s use.

The PCG regularly conducts GAD and wellness trainings and activities for its personnel. In 2021, PCG personnel attended a Lecture-Workshop on Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) for Neck and Low Back Pain to promote occupational wellness. In 2022 and early 2023, introductory Yoga sessions were held in cooperation with certified practitioners.

The Philippine country team in Shanghai consists of the Philippine Consulate General and its attached agencies, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center and the Philippine Department of Tourism Office. END

RERB approves overseas voters registration

The Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) at the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai held its scheduled meeting on 17 July 2023 (Monday).

Two (2) applications for registration were reviewed by the RERB which, taking into consideration that no objections were raised against their applications for registration and seeing no reason to raise their own objections, approved the same.

The following is the list of Filipinos whose applications for registration to vote during the 2025 Midterm Elections were approved:

Philippine-initiated ASEAN Family Day fosters ASEAN bonds and identity in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, 16 July 2023 – Close to 200 diplomats, staff and family members of the Consulates General of ASEAN Member States gathered for a day of fun fellowship in the first-ever ASEAN Family Day held in Shanghai.

Conceived, organized, and hosted by the Philippine Consulate General, the ASEAN consular missions bonded over shared Southeast Asian cuisine, sports and games, and talent showcases at the sprawling grounds of Philippine speaker systems manufacturer Dai-ichi Electronics Shanghai Co. Ltd. in Jiading District.

Consul General (CG) Josel F. Ignacio led the 30-member Philippine country team which both helmed and took part in the carefully curated program.

The summer heat did little to quell the “ASEAN Way” of bonding and collective recreation. Hearty and energetic participation were displayed by the consular missions of Indonesia led by CG Deny W. Kurnia, Lao PDR led by CG Bouaphat Poutthavong, Malaysia led by CG Syed Farizal Aminy Syed Mohamad, Singapore led by CG Chua Teng Hoe, Thailand led by newly arrived CG Prinat Apirat, and Viet Nam led by CG Nguyen The Tung.

Of eight ASEAN missions in Shanghai, only the mission of Cambodia was unable to attend due to urgent commitments.

Lending their support and participation were the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) and Jiading District FAO represented by Deputy Director Chen Yong Liang and Section Chief Sheng Xiao Wei, respectively.

A ceremonial opening set the program into motion. Loud cheers erupted as flag-waving delegations paraded to music from their respective countries. Keynoting the occasion, CG Ignacio described the occasion as in keeping with “our ASEAN Community’s vision to achieve not only integration, peace, stability and shared prosperity, but also togetherness and common identity”.

The morning program included a guided tour of Dai-ichi’s manufacturing facility and a test of its speaker lines supplied to famous brand names globally, with Dai-ichi Electronics General Manager Lee Mie Yee leading the group.

At the Dai-ichi grounds, meanwhile, shrieks of delight filled the morning air as children and adults alike enjoyed parlor games prepared by the Philippine Consulate General.

Delegations partook thereafter of a lunch buffet featuring a rich spread of dishes and flavors contributed by the participating Missions.

The afternoon saw participants display their athletic prowess in friendly volleyball, table tennis, basketball and badminton matches. Simultaneously, a cooking demonstration took place. The Philippines led a step-by-step preparation of “Pulboron” (Philippine shortbread), while Thailand whipped up fruit salad with fish sauce-lime dressing.

Capping a fun-filled day was a dance competition around the globally popular “Ting Ting Tang” dance craze – itself of Southeast Asian, specifically Vietnamese, provenance. Each Consulate General wowed with their inventive choreographies, with the Thais adjudged winner.

Prizes, medals and trophies were awarded to all winners in the Closing Ceremony. A token of appreciation was presented by Consul General Ignacio to Dai-ichi Electronics, on behalf of all missions present. END

Photo credits:
Roland Adriano/WeChat: roland9312
Nilo K. Palaya
Josel F. Ignacio