GOVPH

Signing of the Philippines-France Film Co-Production Agreement

Philippines and France Sign Film Co-Production Agreement at Festival de Cannes 2025

15 May 2025.In a milestone moment for Philippine–French cultural diplomacy, a landmark Agreement on Cinematographic Co-Production was signed on 14 May 2025 in Cannes by Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO Jose Javier Reyes and Gaëtan Bruel, President of France’s Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC). The ceremony, held during the 2025 Festival de Cannes, was witnessed by Philippine Ambassador to France H.E. Junever Mahilum-West.

FDCP Chief Jose Havier Reyes (L) and CNC President Gaëtan Bruel (R) signs Filipino-French Co-Production Agreement.  

The agreement heralds a new chapter in global filmmaking for both nations, enabling collaborative productions in film, television, and media between Filipino and French creatives. It also reinforces a shared commitment to cultural exchange, industry development, and the promotion of diverse cinematic voices. Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West congratulates FDCP and CNC for the landmark agreement.  

Following the signing, FDCP and CNC held a dialogue on the role of film in shaping collective memory and societal change. Chair Reyes expressed deep gratitude to France for recognizing the richness of Philippine cinema, particularly its support in restoring the legacies of National Artists. He also noted the potential for future collaboration in film technology and archiving. FDCP and CNC chiefs followed the signing ceremony with a talk along with the team and Amb. Mahilum-West. 

CNC President Gaëtan Bruel highlighted cinema’s enduring relevance—not only as a reflection of the past but as a tool for building inclusive futures. He reaffirmed France’s dedication to preserving global film heritage and emphasized the Philippines’ role as a key partner in fostering Europe–Asia co-production efforts FDCP and CNC pose for a photo with representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Paris and the French Embassy in Manila. 

The co-production accord is set to launch concrete initiatives and programs, aligning with the Philippine government’s broader goals of advancing the creative industries through cultural and economic diplomacy.

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Salu-Salong Kwento: Storytime with Filipino children in Paris for Food and Literature Month 26 April 2025

In celebration of 2025 Filipino Food Month and National Literature Month, the Philippine Embassy in France held a storytelling event with Kuwento Kultura for Filipino children in Paris on 26 April 2025. A total of 21 kids, accompanied by their respective guardians and parents, attended the activity facilitated by the Philippine Embassy.

Vice Consul Miko Cabatingan opened the storytelling event with Filipino children in Paris, citing the role of the parents in cultivating an appreciation of Filipino culture among the younger generation.  

Ms. Margaret Gener of Kuwento Kultura led the storytelling session with participating children at the Philippine Embassy’s Filipino Food and National Literature Month Celebration. 

Ms. Margaret Gener of Kuwento Kultura Paris led the storytime session with participating children. The activity featured Filipino books Ang Alamat ng Palay by Virgilio Almario, National Artist for Literature, and HaluHalo Espesyal by Yvette Fernandez. Participating children were encouraged to express their views about the moral lessons of the books read, hence further exercising their knowledge and  understanding about Filipino food and literature. 

Participating children from the Filipino Community and kids of Embassy personnel enthusiastically listened and participated in the storytelling event.

Interactive games were also facilitated by Kuwento Kultura to make the event more fun for the kids. To conclude the event, the classic Pinoy pandesal and a variation of Ube pandesal were served among the refreshments. Ube is a purple yam that originated from the Philippines, and has long been a staple in Filipino cuisine, used in a plethora of Filipino desserts. Ube flavored desserts and pastries in France have constantly been receiving considerable positive responses by the locals.

Filipino comics were also displayed during the storytelling event to better familiarize the Filipino children participants in Philippine literature.

The Filipino Food Month celebration has the theme Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino: Yaman ng ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao. With this theme in mind, the activity aims for a further understanding of the vibrance of Philippine heritage to Filipino children in Paris who spent most of their childhood abroad with limited exposure to Philippine culture. Activities like these give a sense of deeper appreciation for Philippine culture among kids.

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Soirée Internationale: A Gastronomic Celebration of Peace and Cultural Diversity 09 May 2025

On May 6, 2025, the Philippine Embassy in France participated in the 2025 edition of the Soirée Internationale at the École Militaire de Paris. This gastronomic festival, organized by students of the French military school, highlights the vibrant and diverse culinary cultures of various participating nations.

Adboco tacos in the Philippine booth is a playful twist of the quintessential Filipino cuisine - adobo blended with the French taco concept. 

The Soirée Internationale is an annual celebration of cultural diversity, aimed at fostering mutual understanding, friendship, and peace among 89 nations represented by international students at France’s military school. The Soirée Internationale plays a crucial role in the international education and development of military students. This event provides military officials from around the globe with an opportunity to present the cultural and culinary treasures of their home countries.

The Philippine booth offered the infamous lumpia, the classic chicken adobo served in taco style, and the irresistible breaded quail eggs - kwek kwek paired with the Philippine-made San Miguel Beer. 

Filipino cuisine was proudly represented by popular dishes such as the famous lumpia, classic chicken adobo served in taco style, and the delectable breaded quail eggs—kwek kwek—paired with Philippine-made San Miguel Beer. Visitors, including international military students, members of the diplomatic community, military school faculty, and officials, admired the remarkable flavors of Filipino dishes. The stall also showcased tourism materials that further promoted Philippine heritage. 

The festive Philippine booth displayed enticing Filipino street foods with an interesting twist on the Adobo tacos, which spurred remarkable interest among the cosmopolitan crowd. 

The Philippine booth was made possible through collaboration with Captain Jovy Aguila of the Philippine Navy, who is currently part of the 32nd promotion at École Militaire. It offered an excellent opportunity to highlight and promote the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines to both French and international military and diplomatic audiences, as well as guests from various other fields. It encouraged engaging exchanges and discussions on culture, culinary arts, heritage, tourism, and defense among military students and guests from different nations. 

Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West joins Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Tamayo and spouse Ms. Joyce Tamayo. 

This event also served as the Embassy's celebration for National Heritage Month in May 2025, emphasizing the Philippines' vibrant heritage through gastronomy. The Philippine Embassy has consistently participated in this event, supporting Filipino military students in their efforts to strengthen defense ties with their global counterparts while showcasing the Filipino identity and spirit.

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Philippine Embassy in Paris Holds Forum on Seniors’ Concerns: “Aging with Dignity, Planning with Purpose”

Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West welcomed Filipino community leaders and members to a lively forum on issues and concerns of seniors in France.  

Paris, 25 April 2025. Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West and Consul General Noemi Diaz welcomed Filipino community leaders and members to a well-attended forum addressing  concerns pertaining to aging and retirement among Filipinos in France.

In her remarks, the Ambassador drew attention to the physical and psychological demands faced by many Filipino workers in caregiving, housekeeping, and childcare roles. She underscored the national aspiration for overseas work to become a matter of choice rather than necessity, noting that the financial burden of supporting families back home often causes individuals to neglect their own needs. She emphasized the importance of planning ahead with care and dignity.

 

In her introduction, Consul General Noemi Diaz focused on Philippine laws on senior citizens.  A senior citizen means any resident citizen of the Philippines who is at least 60 years of age.  She noted that the laws have evolved to grant more benefits to respond to changing needs and in accordance with available resources. The Expanded Senior Citizens Act increased the monthly social pension and mandated free membership in PhilHealth. 

Labor Attache Attorney Angela Labrado-Trinidad of the Department of Migrant Workers joined the Philippine Embassy to explain the services of the DMW office in Madrid which covers France. She explained DMW’s view that overseas Filipinos, rather than being  relegated to merely recipients of assistance, have a valuable role to play as a precious resource, being breadwinners in the migration cycle. Labatt Labrado-Trinidad presented the reintegration program for returning overseas workers and explained the role of DMW which caters to the whole range of matters related to overseas employment. “Overseas Filipino Worker” is defined as someone employed overseas where she or he is not a permanent resident or citizen.  The concerns of senior citizens are relevant to DMW’s objective to create programs that will fit accordingly.  The National Reintegration Center Office advocates for brain gain, inviting  elderly migrants going back to the Philippines to share expertise and skills honed abroad.
 

Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gerardo Tamayo summed up the discussions in his concluding remarks.  He noted that the legal frameworks in the Philippines and in France remind us that aging well is not just a personal goal but a societal commitment; that there is a shared hope to age in strength, in dignity and in the company of a caring community.  This shared responsibility is rooted in compassion, and strengthened by information and solidarity. He quoted the French saying “we do not grow old, we mature” and Filipinos say “May ginto sa bibig ng matanda.”  As we look to the future, growing old does not mean growing distant from the life of our nation.  He urged the elderly to remain active and engaged in shaping our country's future, as presently exemplified in overseas voting.

Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation by Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gerardo Tamayo and Consul General Noemi Diaz:

Ms. Sally Rousset, Moderator, who presented the objectives of each roundtable discussion, presided over the question-and-answer session.
Dr. Luzvimihda Baranger spoke about health concerns in aging and preventive health measures. 
Ms. Nelia Mistruzzi explained the French health system, social services and repatriation services.
Ms. Rosemarie Chazelas presented the French retirement system, programs and  procedures.
Ms. Zita Cabais provided information on common concerns encountered and provided advice on dealing with them.
Prof. Lira de Demo focused on the need for practical financial planning and opportunities.  
Atty. Angela Librado-Trinidad, Labor Attache, Department of Migrant Workers, discussed the  Philippine Reintegration Program for retirement procedures and reintegration.
Ms. Verusckha Ardel Maling, OWWA Officer-in-Charge, Department of Migrant Workers, Madrid gave an overview of OWWA membership benefits, programs, and procedures.