GOVPH

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. 

END.

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.

END.

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. 

END.
 

On December 12, 2024, the Philippine Embassy in Paris hosted a diplomatic reception to celebrate the renewed connectivity between Paris and Manila, following the restoration of Air France’s direct route after a 20-year hiatus. The inaugural flight AF209 from Manila to Paris brought the Philippine delegation and representatives of the French Embassy in Manila to Paris for a week of meetings, conferences, and discussions with various French government officials, business and private sector representatives, and academic institutions.

H.E. Junever Mahilum-West welcomed guests to the Embassy and underscored the significance of the restoration of direct Paris-Manila flights in further strengthening ties between the Philippines and France.

The gathering was attended by top-ranking officials of the Philippine delegation from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Finance, NEDA, Department of Tourism and the Philippine Coast Guard, business leaders, representatives from the French Embassy in Manila, and partners from the academic community, including students and artists from the Filipino community in France.

Secretary of Science and Technology highlighted the results of DOST’s mission in France during the Philippine week that aligns with the Philippines’ national development strategies and goals of wealth creation and protection.  

During her welcome remarks, the Philippine Ambassador to France, H.E. Junever Mahilum-West highlighted the significance of the restored flights in strengthening ties between the Philippines and France. She noted that these flights enhance connectivity in trade, investment, tourism, and person-to-person exchanges. The Ambassador also pointed out the potential for expanding France’s access to Asia and to the Pacific, creating new opportunities for both nations and their regions. The AcapElles and Filipino musicians Harold Guevarra, Muriel Gonzales, and Franco Maigue serenaded the guests with their classic rendition of Filipino and French songs. 

Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., who spearheaded the Department of Science and Technology delegation, shared key outcomes of DOST’s mission to Paris during the Semaine des Philippines (Philippine Week), emphasizing the mission's alignment with the Philippine Development Plan and national strategies.

Secretary of Transportation Jaime Bautista led his own delegation earlier in the Week to meetings with the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and France’s foremost business grouping MEDEF International, among others.

Esteemed members of the Philippine Week delegation and French government counterparts graced the Embassy reception. 

At the reception, guests enjoyed performances by an all-female Filipino-French choir, the AcapElles, along with France-based Filipino musicians Franco Maigue, Muriel Gonzales, and Harold Guevarra. Filipino women artists displayed their unique artworks painted on  the terno. The vibrant presence of Filipino artists and musicians in Paris reflected the profound and grassroots-level  cultural and artistic exchanges between the Philippines and France.
 

Members of the DOST delegation led by Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. (L) with H.E. Junever Mahilum-West (R), Filipino students and DOST scholars based in France, Philippine state university officials, and Philippine and French Embassy officials. 

Semaine des Philippines provided a venue for rich exchanges between the visiting Philippine delegation and their French hosts.  It showcased the Philippines' diverse tourism offerings to French and European audiences, serving as a dynamic platform to enhance tourism, economic, and cultural exchanges. Philippine Week in Paris marked a step forward in strengthening relations between France and the Philippines, paving the way for improved connectivity and partnerships in all fields.

END.