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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.

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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. 

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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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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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