Page 32 - Hello Philippines January 2016 'A' Issue

32 www.hello-philippines.com
DInFfoArm, aPtiIoAn aCnodnAdduvcotcaWcyeCsatmPphaiiglinpipninBeatSaneeas
THE Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA), in partnership with
the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA), brought the information and
advocacy campaign on the West
Philippine Sea issue to Basco, Batanes
from December 08 to 11. Located
at the northernmost part of the
Philippines, Batanes was chosen as
one of the venues for the multisectoral
forums due to the islands’ geographic
proximity to Taiwan and China, and in
recognition of the local community’s
long historical, cultural and economic
ties to the sea.
Immediately upon arrival, DFA
Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary
Charles Jose called on Batanes
Governor Vicente S. Gato at the
provincial office to talk about the
conduct of the multisectoral forum
and other related activities in Batanes
as well as the latest developments in
the arbitration case.
Assistant Secretary Jose was
then invited as a guest in Radyo
Kayvayvanan, where he extensively
discussed the West Philippine Sea
issue with the radio host. He stated
that the DFA and PIA aim to increase
the level of awareness of the local
communities in Batanes through the
conduct of briefings, focus group
discussions and media engagements
throughout its four-day visit. He also
told the radio host that he will discuss the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
the Philippine narrative during the
lectures and invited the local audience
to listen to his briefings and support
the Philippine government’s position
in the West Philippine Sea issue.
On December 09, the DFA and PIA
held a multisectoral forum on the West
Filipino National Artist Donates Special Sakada Painting to PHL Consulate General in Hawaii
CELEBRATED Filipino National
Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto
“BenCab” Cabrera donated a
special sakada painting, titled
“First Migrants,” to the Philippine
Government through the Philippine
Consulate General in Honolulu in
an official turnover and signing
ceremony at the Consulate General
on December 21.
The artwork was unveiled during
Mr. Cabrera (2nd from left) receives certificates of appreciation from Consul
General Jamoralin (2nd from right and Mayor of Honolulu Kirk Caldwell. Joining
them on stage were Vice Speaker Mizuno (leftmost) and Rep. Singson (rightmost). Sarthou and Vice Consul Joyleen Santos.
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD
Philippine Sea at the Batanes State
College in Basco. Assistant Secretary
Jose discussed the Philippine narrative their livelihood. Assistant Secretary
of the West Philippine Sea issue before Jose assured the audience that the
an audience composed of students,
faculty members, fisherfolk, local
government representatives, members
of the uniformed services and
members of the media. He explained
that the Philippine Government’s
position is based on two principles:
the primacy of the rule of law and
the peaceful settlement of disputes,
and added that the arbitration case
is a vital step in reaching a durable
solution to a complex international
issue. He expressed appreciation to
the Batanes State College for hosting
the event and thanked the audience
for its presence and interest in the
issue. He wrapped up his talk by
issuing a challenge to everyone to
keep their interest high and maintain
their support on the West Philippine
Sea issue. “We ask for your help in
spreading our message on the South
China Sea issue. We hope that you
will discuss what you’ve learned here
with your families and communities,”
he stated.
During the open forum, the
Assistant Secretary was joined by
Governor Gato and representatives
from the Philippine Coast Guard,
the Philippine National Police, the
Armed Forces of the Philippines and
Resources. Several members of the
audience expressed concern over
China and Taiwan’s assertive actions
in the South China Sea, pointing
out that these acts have prevented
their local fishermen from going
the Inaugural Sakada Day Celebration
held on December 20 at the Hawaii
State Capitol. The celebration honored
14 living sakadas, who were in their
late 80s to 90s, for their pioneering
spirit and courage as well as their
contributions to the development of
modern Hawaii and whose descendants
formed the nucleus of the Filipino
community in Hawaii , now the largest
ethnic group in the state.
(From left) Ms. Alya Honasan, Senior Writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mrs. guests from the Hawaii government,
Singson, Consul General Jamoralin, Rep. Singson, Mr. Ben Cabrera, Ms. Annie
January 2016 – No. 01 • UK & Europe Edition
to their traditional fishing grounds
to fish, thereby depriving them of DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose delivers his presentation during the multisectoral forum
held at the Batanes State College on December 09.
Philippine government is well aware Assistant Secretary Jose and PIA Staff Director Emelyn Assistant Secretary Jose talks about the West Philippine
of their particular concerns and has Libunao (far right) call on Batanes Governor Vicente Gato. Sea issue during the live interview in Radyo Kayvayvanan.
in fact included them in the pleadings
submitted by the Philippine legal team Assistant Secretary Jose answers questions from the audience during the open forum.
to the arbitral tribunal. Other panel
members also assured the audience The DFA and PIA team during the workshop and assesment of the information and advocacy campaign.
of their agencies’ commitment to
peacefully defend the country’s City, Bicol Region, General Santos City Manila throughout the year. Several
interests and to help them cope with and Zamboanga City. Briefings and information and advocacy campaigns
their concerns. talks were also conducted in various are scheduled to be held next year. n
campuses and agencies within Metro
The DFA and PIA also held a Philippine Embassy Philippines / December 14, 2015
workshop where they assessed the
consolidated reports from different
regions that already hosted the
West Philippine Sea information
and advocacy campaign. The PIA
team presented the initial results
from the focus group discussions,
and discussed the strengths and
weaknesses in the implementation
of the campaign. The workshop also
included a brainstorming session and
explored plans for the continuation
of the campaign. Assistant Secretary
Jose thanked the PIA for a meaningful
partnership and expressed
satisfaction over the positive results
of the campaign, and added that he
looks forward to receiving the final
results.
Since the information and advocacy
campaign on the West Philippine Sea
issue was launched in early 2015, the
DFA and PIA have conducted forums,
campus tours and press conferences in
Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Subic,
Olongapo, Laoag City, Vigan city,
Puerto Princesa City, Tuguegarao City,
Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Davao
Philippine Consul General Gina A. the special painting in commemoration nationalistic theme, which can be
Jamoralin received the donation on of the Sakada Day celebration. Also found in the Bencab Museum in Baguio
behalf of the Philippine Government serving as witnesses were Mrs. Grace City.
and, together with Mr. Cabrera, the Singson, Ms. Alya Honasan, Senior
donor, signed the Deed of Donation Writer at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Among the attendees were Hawaii
during the official turnover and Ms. Annie Sarthou and officials of the Vice Speaker John Mizuno with his
signing ceremony. Candonians of Hawaii association. wife Ms. May Mizuno, President of the
Congress of Visayan Organizations,
The ceremony was witnessed A reception in honor of Attorney David Roy, Deputy Chief
by Representative Eric D. Singson Representative Singson and Mr. Counsel of the US Citizenship and
of the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur, Cabrera hosted by Consul General Immigration Services and his wife
commissioned Mr. Cabrera to create Jamoralin followed the turnover and Maria, Mr. Jon Matsuoka, President
signing ceremony, in the presence of and CEO of Consuelo Foundation, Dr.
Denise Konan, Dean of the University
academe, business, media and of Hawaii College of Social Sciences,
Filipino community. Consul General Ms. Karen Knudsen, External Affairs
Jamoralin also presented Mr. Cabrera Director of the East-West Center,
with a certificate of appreciation for Mr. Phil Sabado, a Filipino American
his donation of the special sakada artist from Maui and his wife,
painiting and “for his patriotism and Christine.
dedication to Filipino culture and the
arts and for bringing pride and honor Violinist Ginetta Banica from
to the Philippines and the Filipinos all Bucharest, Romania serenaded the
over the world through his talent and guests with an ensemble of Filipino
artistry.” songs as they partaken of the salu-
salo prepared by the Philippine
Mr. Cabrera also presented a slide Consulate General. n Philippine Embassy
show of his major artworks with a
Philippines / December 28, 2015