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Embassy News

PH Embassy Holds Security Awareness Training

20 March 2025.The Philippine Embassy in Paris held a Safety and Security Training for personnel with Police Attaché Colonel Rodolfo Castro, Jr. as resource person, as part of the month-long celebration of 2025 National Women’s Month.

During her opening remarks, Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West lauded said training session for the valuable opportunity it offers to refresh minds and update strategies for personal safety, especially against gender-based violence and harassment. The Ambassador encouraged everyone to continue to empower one another, while prioritizing safety and well-being.

Colonel Rodolfo Castro Jr., Police Attaché, shared his vast knowledge and expertise in the field of safety and security to equip Embassy personnel with the essential tools to effectively enhance security awareness. Various techniques and practices to sustain vigilance and to prepare for different situations — at work, at home, or traveling — were discussed.

This learning engagement is part of the Embassy’s series of programs for Women’s Month. By holistically responding to personnel needs, the Embassy aims to enable them to deliver services to the public effectively and efficiently while being gender-sensitive.

Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West delivers her opening remarks

Police Attaché Rodolfo Castro, Jr. shares his expertise in the field of safety and security
Police Attaché Rodolfo Castro, Jr. with the personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Paris

PH Embassy supports PRA’s briefing with the Filipino Community in Paris

16 March 2025. The Philippine Embassy in Paris attended the briefing with the Filipino Community hosted by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) on Sunday, 16 March, at BOBI Paris. The said event aims to brief the Filipino Community on the promotion of Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) and Philippines as a retirement destination.

Ambassador Mahilum-West delivers her opening remarks to express appreciation to PRA for holding the event with the Filipino Community

The said event is the first time PRA CEO and General Manager Roberto Z. Zozobrado met with the Filipino Community in Paris. In his speech, he encouraged them to promote the Philippines as a retirement destination to the French citizens. He also expressed his satisfaction at the recently concluded Salon des Seniors and looks forward to future events catering to senior citizens.

PRA CEO and General Manager Zozobrado briefs the Filipino Community about the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) and encouraged them to promote the Philippines as a retirement destination to the French citizens.

Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West expressed his appreciation to PRA for hosting the event. She added that it was timely for the Philippines, which has a relatively young population, to pay more attention to the needs of the growing number of senior citizens in the Philippines and globally.

Attendees enjoyed BOBI restaurant’s Kamayan menu featuring Filipino favorites like chicken inasal, BBQ, lumpia, among others.

Attendees showing off their PRA loot bags with promotional materials.

After the briefing, the attendees enjoyed a boodle fight and were given PRA loot bags which include brochures and other promotional materials.

Attendees with the Philippine Embassy in Paris and PRA Delegation.

NWM Celebration and Purple Wednesday

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.

PH EMBASSY SHOWS SUPPORT TO PRA’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SALON DES SENIORS

12 March 2025. The Philippine Embassy attends the opening day of Salon des Seniors which features the participation for the first time of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) led by CEO and General Manager Roberto Z. Zozobrado.

PRA is promoting the Philippines as a retirement destination to French retirees. Currently, France is included in the list of emerging markets for nationalities availing of the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).

Ambassador Mahilum-West welcomed PRA’s participation and noted that it was timely for the Philippines, which has a relatively young population, to pay more attention to the needs of the growing number of senior citizens in the Philippines and globally.

For 25 years, the Salon des Seniors has been France’s biggest event for individuals 55 years of age and above. It attracts around 180 exhibitors and draws 26,000 attendees annually. It offers a wide range of services for seniors such as health, leisure, wellness, travel, retirement, among others. Each year, there are two themes and for 2025, these are “Heritage and Legacies” and “Physical Activity and Health Promotion”.

The Philippine Booth is located at Pavillion 2 at E11 - Tourism Section. Salon des Seniors at the Porte de Versailles runs from 12-15 March 2025.

Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West and Consul General Noemi Diaz are joined by the PRA Delegation PRA CEO and General Manager Roberto Z. Zozobrado promoting the Philippines to the Salon des Seniors attendees. At the Entrance of Pavillion 2, a video featuring PRA CEO and General Manager Zozobrado plays on loop. Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West and PRA CEO and General Manager Roberto Z. Zozobrado are discussing the potential of France as an emerging market for SRRV.