Seoul, 23 September 2019. The Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the ASEAN Culture House (ACH) and the Korea Foundation, (KF) organized the first Philippine Film Festival which was held at the ASEAN Culture House (ACH) in Busan on 20-22 September 2019. The Philippine Film Festival is part of the series of cultural events in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Philippines-Korea Diplomatic Relations and the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema.

The Philippine Film Festival presented five award-winning films spanning multiple genres ? Transit, Sunday Beauty Queen, Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (As We Were), Taklub (Trap) and Dekada 70 (The 1970s).

During the Opening Ceremony on September 20, Ambassador Noe A. Wong praised the fruitful collaboration between the Philippine and Korean government and private organizations in the holding of the Philippine Film Festival. He described the collaboration as mirroring the state of Philippines-Korea bilateral relations ? with mutual esteem and support, dynamic, productive and resolute. Ambassador Wong also expressed the hope that Philippine movies will leave a lasting impression on the audience and create a deeper interest in Philippine cinema in South Korea.

Ambassador Seong-in Kim, Executive Vice President of the Korea Foundation, welcomed the holding of the Philippine Film Festival at the ACH, the first film festival by an ASEAN-member country to be held at the ACH since it opened in 2017. Referring to the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema, Ambassador Kim emphasized that the Philippines has been producing award-winning films for many years.

Meanwhile, Congressman Myung Won Lee, Chairman of Haeundae-gu Council, underscored the appropriateness of having the Philippine Film Festival in the Haeundae District of Busan, a regular host of the Busan International Film Festival. Congressman Lee mentioned his enjoyable visit to the Philippines, especially recalling Iloilo City, which he fondly remembered as the "City of Peace." Congressman Lee also expressed the hope of forging a friendship or sister city relationship between Haeundae City and Iloilo City.

Ambassador Wong, Ambassador Kim and Congressman Lee all gave recognition to the enduring Philippines-Korea relations, a friendship forged in blood and sacrifice in reference to the Korean War.

The Philippine films were well-received by a mixed audience of Filipinos, Koreans and other nationalities.

The Philippine Film Festival was supported by the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and Philippine production companies, namely, ABS-CBN Restoration, Centerstage Productions, TBA Studios and Ten17P. END