GOVPH

CG Ignacio attends Commemoration of 73rd National Day of PRC

CG Ignacio joined fellow Heads of Consular Missions in Shanghai’s advance commemoration of the 73^rd Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center (SUPEC) last 30 September.

The rites were presided over by Shanghai Municipal officials led by Mayor Gong Zheng, CPC-Shanghai Committee Secretary Li Qiang, Vice Mayor Zong Ming, and other Municipal and Party functionaries.

Mayor Gong Zheng extolled and recounted the various achievements of Shanghai in 2022, mirroring the PRC’s continued strong development.

After the ceremony, the Consuls General were toured around the renovated SUPEC, which provided valuable insights into Shanghai’s systematic approach to economic growth, sustainable development, heritage preservation; digitalization, and other key aspects of municipal development and operations. END

PCG ladies strengthen network with consular corps counterparts

Building on networking gains last year, lady diplomats of the Philippine Consulate General connected anew with counterparts in other Shanghai-based consular missions last September 28, as they attended the annual Welcome Luncheon of the Consular Spouses Shanghai (CSS) at the J Hotel Shanghai Tower.

The PCG was represented by Consular Attachées Ms. Cherryann F. Belmonte-Banda and Ms. Jeannie F. Petrola. Joining them were Mrs. Anna Kathleen C. Tani and Mrs. May Villanueva, spouses of Filipino diplomats assigned at the PCG.

Formed in 1975, the CSS is a non-profit association that serves as principal vehicle for the interaction and networking of female diplomats and consular spouses in Shanghai, via cultural, social and charitable activities. END

PCG initiates “Little Ambassadors” into Filipiniana

SHANGHAI – In a departure from its daily routine, “children’s diplomacy” took center stage at the Philippine Consulate General on 15 October, as Shanghainese schoolchildren trooped to the chancery to learn about the Philippines.

The “Little Ambassadors” – 10 girls and 11 boys – had a full afternoon of fun and learning. Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes and his team engaged them in a colorful audiovisual lecture on the Philippines and Filipino culture, and gave out prizes in the lively quiz that followed.

The little “envoys” satisfied their curiosities about the Philippines and Filipino views of China, during a lengthy Q&A session with Consul General Josel F. Ignacio.

The activity went into higher gear as the kids got to experience the famed Masskara festival of Negros. Volunteers from the Pinoy Teachers Association in Shanghai led by organization chief Chabeli Jill A. Hilasque performed the dance before leading a craft activity that had the children decorate blank masks and enthusiastically trying out the steps.

Wrapping up the activity was the awarding of Certificates to the attendees, followed by a delectable Filipino merienda of pansit and puto that had many of the “Little Ambassadors” asking for seconds.

“We hope you learned much and gained more appreciation for the Philippines and the bonds between Filipinos and the Chinese”, remarked the Consul General to the visitors. “When you leave the Consulate General, may you be “ambassadors” advocating for even closer friendship between us.”

The PCG has been hosting every year visits by Shanghainese schoolchildren keen to gain knowledge about the Philippines and Philippines-China ties. This year, the PCG and PDOT partnered with the 9Trees Foundation, which organizes various activities for the youth in order “to build an international communication platform”. END