GOYANG, 15 May 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez pronounced "a welcome success" the country's participation in the Seoul Food Expo 2016 held on 10-13 May 2016 at the KINTEX Convention Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Philippine participation in the Seoul Food Expo was made possible through joint collaboration between the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Analyst Maria Alilia G. Maghirang of the Philippine Agricultural Office (PAO) in Seoul and the KOTRA. The Philippine delegation, composed of DA officials and 16 food exporters, was headed by Regional Executive Director Cipriano Santiago of the DA Regional Field Office for the MIMAROPA region and Assistant Director Ma. Febe Orbe of the DA Regional Field Office for the Davao region. The delegation made a courtesy call on Ambassador Hernandez at the Embassy Chancery on 8 May 2016. The ambassador returned the favor by gracing the formal opening the Seoul Food Expo and the inauguration of the Philippine pavilion with his presence on 10 May 2016. Notable Philippine agricultural products highlighted at the Philippine pavilion were banana chips, calamansi products (juice, concentrate and essential oil), moringa products (tea, snacks and noodles), coconut products (fresh coconut water, virgin coconut oil, body oil and body lotion), organic heirloom rice (from Mt.Province, Benguet and Ifugao), organic coffee from Cavite, yacon tea and syrup, and guyabano tea and juice. The Philippines' participation in the Seoul Food Expo was a resounding success as the Philippine agricultural products showcased during the event attracted the keen interest of the public and potential buyers.