GOVPH
MENU

Embassy News

PH Embassy in Paris kicks off the National Women’s Month celebration with Purple Wednesday lecture.

06 Mar. 2025. In celebration of National Women’s Month and International Women’s Day, the Philippine Embassy in Paris participated in Purple Wednesday and hosted an Echo Seminar on Gender Equity, Intersectionality, Unconscious Bias, and Emotional Tax in the Workplace.

The Philippine Embassy in Paris expresses support to Women’s Month Celebration during a  Purple Wednesday.

To commemorate March 2025’s first Purple Wednesday, the Embassy personnel and guests gathered for an Embassy family photo. Following this, Ms. Anna Magsumbol, Acting Gender & Development Focal Point Officer, conducted an insightful echo seminar on key gender issues and inclusivity. The seminar delved into the distinction between gender equality and gender equity, highlighting the challenges faced by women in the workplace. It also emphasized the significance of intersectionality in achieving gender equity and how unconscious bias and stereotypes contribute to workplace discrimination. 

PH Ambassador to France delivers opening remarks highlighting this year’s Women’s Month theme: “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas”. 

During her opening remarks, H.E. Junever M. Mahilum-West stressed the importance of raising awareness on gender equity and how this year’s theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas” aims to promote women empowerment especially those in the underprivileged and marginalized sectors. 

Consul General Noemi Diaz shared the International Women’s Day Message of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. 

 

Ms. Anna Magsumbol shares her insights on key gender issues.

 

 


16 January 2025.The Philippine pavilion opens at Maison et Objet’s 2025 edition on 17 January 2025 at Villepinte, France. The Department of Trade & Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), led by Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo, gathered a total of seventeen (17) companies from the Philippine creative industries under Artipelago which debuted in the 2024 edition of the premier and largest French trade fair for interior design.

 

Artipelago II features WeaveManila’s handmade abaca mats alongside other Philippine furniture and interior deco. 

Chargé d'affaires, a.i. Eric Gerardo Tamayo and other officials of the Philippine Embassy in Paris attended the opening day of Artipelago II. CDA Tamayo led the toast during the event where he congratulated CITEM’s Design Philippines for successfully mounting the exhibit.  Philippine-made furniture, artworks, and ceiling features by Finali displayed at Maison et Objet.
The participating companies include Artifeks:, Cebu Homecraft, Coast Pacific, CSM Philippines Inc., Fifty One, Finali, Galerie D'Antoine, JB Woodcraft Inc., Jorge Yulo, Mele + Marie, Prizmic and Brill,  South Sea, Tadeco Home, Tahanan Furniture, Triboa Bay Living, WeaveManila Inc., and Zarate Manila. 

Maison et Objet will run from 16 to 20 January 2025 in Paris Nord Villepinte. 

END. 

 

 

21 February 2025. The Philippine Embassy in Paris supports the Philippine artists’ participation at the Art Capital exhibit at the Grand Palais in Paris, France on 18-22 February 2025. Several Filipino artists based in France and all over Europe exhibited their respective works in one of France’s most prestigious and historical expo venues. Philippine Ambassador to France, H.E. Junever M. Mahilum-West also participated in the said exhibit with her works inspired by the Philippines’ marine biodiversity.

Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West with participating artists participants at the Grand Palais Art Capital Exhibit.  

Among the participating Filipino artists are Margo Babilonia-Le Lain, Harold Khan, Cici Lane, Maritess van Vianen, Marievic Baune, Myse Salonga, Aurea Calanog, Marie Therese Villa, Day Pajarillo, Chelony Mercado, Carmela Geisert, James Buenacosa, Tei Leonardo, Bong Canuel, Aurea Calanog, Karen Concepcion, Marie Expert, Viviane Mauske and Jovelyn Medalle.

Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West with the Filipino artists participants at the Grand Palais Art Capital Exhibit.  

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines has designated February as National Arts Month (NAM), celebrating a month-long tribute to Filipino artistry and cultural heritage. Showcasing Philippine artistry at the prestigious Grand Palais in Paris represents a significant milestone for the Filipino artist community to gain international exposure. With the theme "Ani ng Sining: Diwa at Damdamin," the Philippine art exposition provided a timely platform to highlight not only the arts but also the values, identity, and culture of the Filipino people. It underscores that the creative spirit of the nation is rooted in its talented artists. NCCA defines “diwa” defines as the spirit, essence, and soul while “damdamin” as passion which propelles creation, expression and development. The expo also showed how bayanihan is central to the Filipino soul. 

Philippine Embassy officials and the Cultural Section led by Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West together with her spouse, Mr. John West. 

 A collective of Filipino creatives, including the Ambassador, centered their efforts on the Philippines' archipelagic and maritime identity. This focus aligns with global initiatives for ocean conservation and the protection of maritime biodiversity which will be celebrated in France during its hosting of the upcoming UN Oceans Conference in Nice in June this year. They titled their exhibit Eau La La - a wordplay of the famous French interjection ah là là with the French word for water.  Ambassador Mahilum-West displayed her dedication to maritime conservation and the arts by featuring her paintings of Philippine fishes, inspired by Kumataro Ito. Ito was the chief illustrator on the USS Albatross, who took on the significant responsibility of surveying the aquatic resources across the Philippine archipelago. Ambassador Mahilum-West and Embassy officials joined the artists in a cocktail reception at the Grand Palais. 

The Embassy is a vibrant advocate for Filipino creativity, immersing itself in a myriad of exhibitions across Paris that showcase the talents of emerging artists. These dynamic events not only serve as a springboard for the artists but also weave the rich tapestry of Philippine art into the global narrative. Indeed, art is a bridge, linking cultures and inspiring dialogues that transcend our concept of borders.

END. 
 

 

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.

END. 

  1. Unang Simbang Gabi sa Paris: Filipinos congregate to kickstart 2024 Christmas tradition
  2. DOST and Philippine Embassy in Paris hold Balik Scientist Webinar for Filipino Sci-Tech Community in France
  3. PH Embassy & FilCom commemorate 128th anniversary of Rizal martyrdom
  4. Semaine des Philippines: Celebrating rekindled Paris-Manila connectivity
More inCONTACT US  
feed-image