SEOUL, 11 March 2017 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul organized the first Leaders' Forum for this year on Saturday, 11 March 2017, at Bulwagang Rizal in the Embassy Chancery in Seoul.

Some 50 leaders and members representing 29 Filipino Community organizations across South Korea attended the forum where Embassy officials discussed some of its upcoming programs as well as updates on its consular services, overseas voting, contingency plan, and labor-related matters.

Vice Consul Ella Karina R. Mitra presented updates on consular and overseas voting matters, followed by a report on the Philippine Embassy's contingency plan by First Secretary and Consul General Roderico C. Atienza, and labor-related updates by Welfare Officer Manuela N. Pena, before Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez closed the event.

Ambassador Hernandez, in his closing remarks, underscored the character traits and values that leaders in the community must embody to be inspiring and to be able to efficiently carry out their mandates.

He urged the leaders to ensure that truth, justice, compassion, excellence, and positivity are always pursued and shared with their members as the community grapples with increasing volume of fake and offensive news, information, and comments, as well as injustices, indifference, negativity, and acts of mediocrity.

Ambassador Hernandez also apprised the FilCom leaders of the changes instituted by the Embassy to enhance its services for the benefit of the Filipino public in South Korea. He lastly expressed his gratitude to the different Filipino community organizations for their support to the various programs and projects of the Embassy.

Also during the event, the Embassy's new Labor Attache, Ms. Luz Talento, and Second Secretary, Ms. Mildred Abordo, were formally introduced to the community leaders. Ms. Talento and Ms. Abordo both arrived in the country last month to replace Atty. Felicitas Bay, as head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Seoul, and Second Secretary Noli Bonon, respectively.

- END -