SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 10 June 2019 ? The Philippine Embassy in South Korea hosted a Leaders' Forum held on 08 June 2019 at the Emerald Ballroom of Lotte Hotel Seoul. The event was attended by about a hundred officers of Filipino organizations, Filipino religious workers, various local partners, and Philippine Embassy officers and staff and was an opportunity for Ambassador-Designate to South Korea Noe A. Wong to meet and talk with the pillars of the Filipino Community in the country.

During the Forum, the Embassy provided the attendees with the latest consular and labor updates. Consul General Christian L. De Jesus briefed the community on the Philippine accession to the Apostille Convention and the resulting changes in the authentication process. Labor Attache Maya M. Valderrama disseminated the latest labor news, apprised the attendees on the progress of the livelihood programs conducted by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), and read the message of DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III on the occasion of Migrant Workers Day.

The Leaders' Forum was an opportunity not only for the Embassy to touch base with Filipinos in South Korea but also for the leaders of the Filipino Community to meet, connect, and share experiences and best practices.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador-Designate Wong thanked the Filipino Community in South Korea for their continued support to the Embassy's thrust to foster unity and cohesiveness within the various groups as well as in engaging and collaborating with the Embassy in bringing responsive government services to our kababayans living and working in South Korea and their families

The Leaders' Forum was widely welcomed by the leaders present during the event. Galvanized by Ambassador-Designate Wong's emphasis on supporting each other, Pilipino Iskolars in Korea (PIKO) president Jerre Mae Tamanal shared her enthusiasm to work hand in hand with fellow leaders to maximize the expertise of Filipino students in the South Korea for a more active community. Ms. Gennie Kim of Radio KISS expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to meet Ambassador-Designate Wong as well as other Filipino Community leaders and for the continued responsiveness of the Embassy to the needs of kababayans in South Korea.

Likewise, Pastor Ariel Cruz Bernardo, Secretary-General of POIMEN, appreciated the meaningful face-to-face updates on consular, labor, and other migrant-related matters. He also appreciated the opportunity for the leaders of Filipino organizations in South Korea to get acquainted with each other and share their respective advocacies with Ambassador-Designate Wong and other Philippine Embassy personnel.

This is the Philippine Embassy's second Leaders' Forum for the 2019 and the first meeting of Ambassador-Designate Wong with the Filipino Community since arriving in May.