Local traders engaged in fruit exports, particularly durian, forecast that durian exports to China could reach $150 million (P8.24 billion) on the first year from the signing of the agreement. This was shared by the Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) led by President Emmanuel Belviz...
A close look at how much we accumulate in life and how much of it we really need Every few years or so, diplomats and their families are faced with the challenge of sorting through accumulated possessions. It’s kind of a thing you’re forced into when you have to pack up and move your whole life...
LITTLE OFFICE THAT COULD The Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD) is the DFA's public relations arm and in effect, the country's as well There’s still a lot of confusion as to what our diplomats do and I often feel it’s a disservice to look at them as people who only issue passports....
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is set to strengthen the Philippines and China's "durian diplomacy" during his state visit to the Asian neighbor at the start of 2023. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial said the government is...
The holidays are all about the birth of Jesus Christ, but they are also a great excuse to indulge your sweet tooth more than the usual GLÜHWEIN Mulled wine in a German Christmas market back in 2017. You give a few Euros as a deposit for the mug but you can also forfeit it and keep the mug instead...
High-ranking officials of the Philippine Navy (PN) and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) engaged in a productive discussion in Busan, South Korea recently which showed the “developing cooperation” between the two navies. (L-R) Commo. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpleta, Philippine Navy Chief of Naval...
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez has defended President Marcos' foreign trips by saying "travelling for a leader is a must." Asked about his comment on the President's remark that he was "travelling too much," the senior diplomat believed it is just imperative...
PH embassy in Washington hosts launch of The Philippines Matters for America / America Matters for The Philippines WHAT MATTERS Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (center) with guests during the official launch of The Philippines Matters for America/America Matters for the Philippines publication...
After two years of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, a simple in-person ceremony marked the 55th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta last Aug. 8. With a population of 662 million and a combined Gross Domestic Product of...
PEACE-MAKER Jose de Venecia Jr. Former Speaker of the House Amid the recent tensions in the Taiwan Strait, which is one of the protracted flashpoints in Asia and in the world, we wish to reiterate our continuing modest calls and fervent wish against a possible Cold War in the Asia Pacific region....
Spotlight on the modern Filipino diplomat LUNA PICS Shaira Luna, assisted by her manager Jan Villanueva, photographs Asec. Raul Hernandez Among the Philippines’ major strengths are its creatives. Quite the cliché, some might say, and while we have yet to fully attain the international...
People: Ties that bind FRENCH TIES Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz after their discussion on strengthening PH-France ties in a courtesy call at the DFA (Vanessa Ubac) And just like that, it truly feels like everything is going back to normal. A whole range of...
