GOVPH

13 January 2025. The Philippine Ambassador to France joins the DOT, TIEZA, and Congressional delegation at the Philippine pavilion.  

The Department of Tourism (DOT) led the Philippines' participation at the Salon International de la Plongée Sous-Marine, held at Parc des Expositions, Pavillon 4, in Paris from 9-12 January 2025. This event is the only one in France that brings together a diverse array of diving industry professionals, including associations, boats, diving centers, insurance providers, manufacturers, distributors, media, tourism offices, training organizations, dive operators, and travel agents. This year's edition emphasized ocean protection, in anticipation of France hosting the UN Oceans Conference in Nice later this year. Dir. Zeny Pallugna, DOT’s lead for Market Development, welcomes H.E. Junever Mahilum-West. 

The Philippine pavilion featured a striking arch under the theme "Dive Philippines." This marked the country’s return to the global water sports exposition, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s top diving destinations. The pavilion showcased twelve Philippine-based tour operators, as well as kiosks for DOT and Air France. Diving enthusiasts visit and inquire about the tour packages with participating operators.  

Following the resumption of Air France’s direct flight between Paris and Manila in December 2024, after a two-decade absence, the expo provided an ideal platform to highlight the Philippines' marine tourism offerings to French tourists, particularly as the summer season approaches. With over 350,000 scuba divers in France, 10% of whom travel abroad for diving with tour operators, the Philippines’ participation capitalized on the growing European interest in tropical marine leisure. Supporting the Philippines’ participation are members of the House of Representatives, i.e., Hon. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado and Hon. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor of Bohol, Hon. Rachel Marguerite B. Del Mar of Cebu City, and Hon. Josefina B. Tallado of Camarines Norte along with Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado of Bohol and Vice Mayor Christopher B. Tutor of Candijay, Bohol. 

The Philippines' participation at the fair secured notable investment and product development opportunities, driven by DOT's strategic engagement with clients and stakeholders.

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12 December 2024.The Department of Science & Technology (DOST) headed by Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Paris, conducted an online Balik Scientist Program (BSP) orientation with the Filipino science and technology community in France on 12 December 2024. The webinar was held on the occasion of the Philippine Week celebrating the resumption of direct flights between Manila and Paris, and gathered 24 audience members from the scientific field along with DOST and Embassy officials for an information session on government-led initiatives that seek to promote brain gain in the fields of sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. leads the Balik Scientist orientation with Undersecretary Leah Buendia and Executive Director Eric Paringit. 

During the webinar, Secretary Solidum cited key benefits of BSP which aims to promote information exchange and accelerate the flow of new technology into the country through strengthening the scientific and technological workforce of the academe and public and private institutions. The program’s objective is to encourage Filipino scientists and technologists to return and reside in the Philippines and share their expertise for the development of the country.
 

Participants engage in a question and answer session during the orientation to know more about the DOST’s Balik Scientist Program. 

An interactive session followed where attendees from various sciences and engineering fields now based in France expressed their interest on BSP and their appreciation for the initiative of gathering sci-tech members of the community. Executive Director Eric Paringit of DOST expounded on the short-term and long-term engagements under BSP and possible institutional partnerships that may host visiting scientists. 

The Philippine Embassy commits to partner with DOST in leveraging the strong presence of the  Filipino sci-tech community all over France and promoting their participation in nation-building through innovation and knowledge production. This engagement with the community aligns and complements the country’s overall longterm development goals. 

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15 December 2024.The Philippine Embassy in Paris sponsored the first mass for the Simbang Gabi tradition of the Filipino community in Paris on 15 December 2024 at Chapelle Sainte-Bernadette. The Sunday mass which kicked off the nine-day religious observance was well-attended by more than 400 Filipino faithful. 

Filipino community in Paris gather for the first Simbang Gabi mass in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Auggie Ruiz Tuazon.)

Fr. Jovic Lobrigo, the newly installed rector of the Philippine Catholic Mission in Paris, led the said eucharistic celebration. In his homily, he underscored the observance of the Gaudete Sunday on the third Sunday of Advent. This highlights the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration and a reminder of God’s unconditional love and mercy. He also highlighted the importance of synodality as a way of listening to the members of the Church to know more about God’s message. 

Filipino community in Paris gather for the first Simbang Gabi mass in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Auggie Ruiz Tuazon.)

 Fr. Jovic Lobrigo, the newly installed rector of the Philippine Catholic Mission in Paris, led the said eucharistic celebration. In his homily, he underscored the observance of the Gaudete Sunday on the third Sunday of Advent. This highlights the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration and a reminder of God’s unconditional love and mercy. He also highlighted the importance of synodality as a way of listening to the members of the Church to know more about God’s message. 
 The Philippine Embassy in Paris joins the Church and the Filipino community in France in celebrating the first Simbang Gabi mass for 2024. 

The Embassy took the opportunity after the mass to give food packages to Filipino families and the elderly, made possible by the corporate support of the leading Filipino and ethnic food distributor in Europe - Heuschen & Schrouff. The distribution of Filipino products not only promotes the availability of leading Philippine brands in France to primary consumers but also enlivens the dynamic Filipino Christmas spirit despite being miles away from home. 

Through the spirit of volunteerism from corporate partners and volunteers, the Embassy successfully distributed food packs from participating Filipino brands available in Europe. 

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29 December 2024.The Philippine Embassy in France joined the Filipino Rizalist community groups in Paris on 29 December 2024 in commemorating the 128th year of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. The solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held right at the Philippine national hero’s bust in Place Jose Rizal at Paris’ 9th arrondissement.

Filipino community leaders of Rizalist groups based in France delivered their messages during the commemoration ceremony.
 

Leaders of the France-based Rizalist groups led by Mr. Catalino Oabel of the Knights of Rizal and Ms. Ninette Brosas of Las Damas de Rizal, among other chapter leaders, organized the event in coordination with the Embassy. They delivered their messages honoring Rizal’s legacy and his contributions to Philippine freedom, national identity, and modern society.

Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West delivers her inspirational message in commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom at Place Jose Rizal.  

H.E. Junever Mahilum-West, Philippine Ambassador to France, gave her inspirational message. The Ambassador emphasized that celebrating José Rizal’s legacy in Paris was fitting, as the city once nurtured his ideals of freedom and justice, which continue to inspire today. The 2024 theme, “Rizal sa Bagong Pilipinas,” emphasizes that his values—such as youth and women empowerment, social justice, and cultural pride—remain crucial in addressing modern challenges. Rizal’s influence is particularly felt by Filipinos abroad, exemplified by the success of Filipino athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, whose victories mirror Rizal’s indomitable spirit of patriotism and resilience. Efforts to preserve his memory in Paris, like the bust dedicated to him, alongside milestones like resumed flights between Paris and Manila, reinforce the ongoing relevance of Rizal’s vision for a free and just society. The Ambassador also thanked the Mairie de Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Deputy Mayor Arnaud Ngatcha for the city’s instrumental role in the installation and upkeep of Place Jose Rizal.  

Embassy and FilCom representatives offered flowers to the Rizal bust as Bayan Ko is sung in the background. 

Philippine Embassy representatives led by Ambassador Mahilum-West and Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Tamayo, along with Rizalist groups, offered flowers to the Rizal bust which celebrated its second anniversary of inauguration last June 2024. This historical marker is the only public bust of a Filipino icon in Paris.

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