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PhilippiNews

The Official e-Newsletter of the Philippine Embassy, Athens, Greece

January 2023 - June 2023

PH Embassy holds Flag-Raising Ceremony with FilCom Members for the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

Sunday, 11 June 2023


The Philippine Embassy held the Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Official Residence of the Ambassador on Sunday morning,11 June 2023, to start the commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, with members of the Filipino Community in attendance, and was followed by a Filipino breakfast. 



The Official Residence was set up with a Philippine fiesta theme that featured colorful “banderitas” (flaglets) and “bahay-kubo” (palm hut) inspired stalls. The program included the singing of the National Anthem, reciting the “Panunumpa ng Katapatan Sa Watawat”, and the playing and reading of the messages of the President, H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.; DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, DMW Secretary Susana Ople and OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio. 


Ambassador Giovanni Palec also delivered his remarks for the occasion. In his remarks, Amb. Palec paid tribute to the country’s past as well as present heroes. He reminded them to always remember the past as a guide to the future and that the freedom they enjoy today was earned through blood and sacrifice. Thereafter, the Filcom members were invited to join the Embassy and MWO/OWWA personnel for the official photo. The more than 200 guests were offered Filipino food such as garlic fried rice, skinless longganisa (sweet sausage), puto (rice cake), dinuguan (black pork stew), adobo (stewed meat), tuyo (dried fish), and fresh fruits. Brewed coffee, hot tea and juice were also available. The guests were serenaded with classical Filipino music rendered by some members of the Filipino community. Mr. Venn Angkico, played “Ngayon at Kailanman” and a medley of Tagalog songs on the saxophone. While Mr. Anthony Cabonel, Eunice Manigbas and Kirsten Arda, young Filipino singers, rendered famous tagalog songs such as: “Lipad Ng Pangarap; Sumayaw-Sumunod, Salamat Musika, Pinoy Ako, among others, to the delight and enjoyment of the Filipino Community in attendance.

The ASEAN Plus Bazaar for Support of the Friends of the Child (FOC) 26-27 March 2023 at the Hellenic Foundation for Culture

Source: Alpha TV (26-March-2023)

20 March 2023 - Around 30 Athens-based Filipinos availed of free health screening services, which included blood sugar and cholesterol testing, as part of the Health and Positive Living Forum for OFWs co-sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Athens and the Migrant Workers Office on 19 March 2023. Over 50 Filipinos attended the lectures on physical and mental health by Filipino and Greek resource persons which followed the health screening. The event was held at Pinoy Fitness and Dance Studio in Athens in celebration of National Women’s Month.

H.E. Le Hong Truong, Ambassador of Vietnam, current ACAT Chair giving his remarks at the opening of the ASEAN Plus Bazaar in Support for the Friends of the Child (FOC) Charity Associations

Chairman of the Regional Council of Attica. Dr. Georgios Dimopoulos delivering his remarks at the opening of the ASEAN Plus Bazaar for Support of the Friends of the Child (FOC) Charity Association

25-26 March 2023 – an ASEAN Plus Bazaar for the support of the Friends of the Child (FOC) Charity Associations was held on 25-26 March 2023 at the Hellenic Foundation for Culture in Athens, Greece.

The ASEAN Plus Bazaar is the first bazaar ever organized by ACAT. Under the Chairmanship of the Embassy of Vietnam, the event was participated in by the Embassies of Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the Honorary Consulate of Malaysia, and joined by Embassies of ASEAN Dialogue Partners China and Japan. The FOC Charity Association was the partner organizer of the event and recipient of the donation from the proceeds of the bazaar. Two Filipino-owned businesses “Pinoy Asian Fast Food” and “Sentro Otso” also participated under the banner of the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy supplied and operated the audio system which was augmented by the Indonesian Embassy’s speakers.

FOC Chair, Mrs Gianna Panagiotidou delivering her message at the opening of the bazaar

CDA Pornsith Pibulnakarinth of Thailand, Philippine Ambassador Giovanni Palec, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Hellenic Republic Deputy Director of Protocol Mr. Michail Angelopoulos, H.E. Le Hong Truong, Ambassador of Vietnam and Indonesian Ambassador Bebeb A.K.N Djundjunan

The two-day event featured charity activities and cultural performances from each ACAT country. Visitors of the bazaar, Greeks, diplomats, students, and nationals of participating countries enjoyed the food and delicacies and native products sold in the Bazaar. Songs from the participating ASEAN Embassies were played throughout the bazaar. Entrance to the bazaar was free.

The VIP Guests of the ASEAN Plus Bazar in Support for the FOC, together with the Ambassadors and Thailand’s CDA of the ASEAN Committee in Athens (ACAT) at the opening of the Bazaar

Each ACAT-member country featured cultural performances which were enjoyed by the visitors of the bazaar. On the first day of the bazaar, the Philippines presented a Filipino song “Sumayaw, Sumunod” by Anthony Carbonel and Philippine dances “Polka Sa Nayon” and “Sayaw sa Bangko” performed by the students of the Philippine School in Greece (PSG). On the second day, the Philippines offered the song “Bayan Ko” by Mr. James Peraleja from the Filipino community, the “Pallo-ok or Pattong” dance by the Cordillera group and an exhibition of Arnis techniques by the Kalidu Modern Arnis.

Mr. Anthony Carbone of the Philippines with his rendition of the song “Sumayaw, Sumunod” at the opening of the Bazaar

Students from the Philippine School in Greece performing Philippine traditional dance “Polka sa Nayon” at the opening of the bazaar

The Bazaar’s formal opening ceremony was highlighted by speeches from Vietnamese Ambassador H.E. Le Hong Truong as the current Chair of ACAT, Dr. Georgios Dimopoulos, Chairman of the Regional Council of Attica, and Mrs. Gianna Panagiotidou, Chair of the FOC. The opening was also graced by the presence of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of A9 Directorate for Asia and Oceania Mr. Theodoros Michalopoulos, Mrs. Maria Solomou, Director of the Diplomatic Cabinet of the Presidency, the Ambassadors of Japan, and Pakistan, Mr. Nikos Samaras, the Deputy Director of Protocol Mr. Michail Angelopoulos and the Deputy Head of Mission of China Lai Bo, President of the Hellenic-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, and the Honorary Consul of Malaysia.

Philippine traditional dance “Polka sa Nayon”

Philippine Ambassdor Giovanni E. Palec with PSG school teacher, Mr. Arjay Hugo and the students from the Philippines School in Greece (PSG) at the Philippine Booth

The Philippine booth featured a Bahay Kubo theme, decorated with colorful banigs and hats, sinamay and malong, with products such as native bags, fans, coasters, capiz jewelry boxes, picture frames, mother of pearl utility boxes, abaca lanterns and native fans, and miniature jeepneys on display.

Ambassador and Mme. Giovanni Palec with PSG CEO Mr. Manfred Nickel, CEO of PSG, Principal and Directress Mrs. Gracia Celia Nickel and Teacher Wilhelmina Mendoza-Buado

The ASEAN Committee in Athens (ACAT) Ambassadors and Thailand’s Charge d’ Affaires with the ACAT Embassy officials’ Working Group: Indonesia - Mr. Thoso Pritharmoso, First Secretary; Philippines - Judy Barbara Robianes, First Secretary/Consul; Thailand - Mr. Pornsith Pibulnakarintr, Charge d’ Affaires a.i.; Vietnam - Ms. Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Third Secretary of the ASEAN Plus Bazaar

The ASEAN Committee in Athens (ACAT) Ambassadors and Thailand’s Charge d’ Affaires with FOC Chairman. From right to left: Thailand’s CDA Pornsith Pibulnakarinth, H.E. Le Hong Truong, Ambassador of Vietnam, current ACAT Chair, FOC Chair Gianna Panaggiotidou, Indonesian Ambassador Bebeb A.K.N Djundjunan and Philippine Ambassador Giovanni Palec

The visitors enjoyed the taste of Filipino food which were sold out even well before the closing time of the bazaar. Pancit bihon and lumpiang gulay were crowd favorites. Other sellable food items in the Philippine booth are buchi, siopao, siomai, dried mangoes, chocolate kisses and crackers were also on the booth. The Philippines also featured halo-halo, taho, Filipino-themed cocktails, Philippine mango juice, and ginger ale using fresh ingredients. Halo-halo was popular with visitors who queued for their turn to be served.

Philippine performers of “Arnis”, the Philippine National Sport and Martial Arts from Kalidu Modern Arnis

Philippines’ “Pallo-ok” or “Patong” dance at the second day of the Bazaar

Philippine Embassy personnel wore Filipiniana on the first day and in celebration of National Women’s Day, purple on the second day. Greek (Alpha TV) and Philippine (TFC Europe) media covered the event.

Students from the Philippine School in Greece performing “Sayaw sa Bangko” a Philippine traditional dance at the opening of the bazaar

The Philippine Booth at Bazaar

Other participating countries also featured cooked food, packaged snacks, and souvenirs from their respective countries in their booths. The Thai booth offered the visitors a short ‘Thai massage' which was well patronized, while the Japanese booth drew interest with personalized calligraphy, FOC booth with jewelry, homemade sweets, books and toys. The FOC Charity Association is the recipient of the proceeds of this year’s ASEAN Plus bazaar. It is a charitable association of Greek women, established in 1987, with the goal of supporting the children, for their food, education, clothing, medical aid, and extending assistance to some families and single parents for housing and utility bills, psychological counseling and medical care.

Pinoy Asian Fast Food for a taste of Philippines’ halo-halo and “taho” at the bazaar

“Sentro Otso” for Philippines’ Filipino-themed cocktails, Philippine mango juice and ginger ale

The Venue: The Hellenic Foundation for Culture

Philippines competes at the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Athens

Fresh from her wins at the International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament-Gracia Fair Cup in Hungary last month, Ms. Breanna Labadan once again raised the Philippine flag as the lone Filipino competitor during the 2023 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup organized by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece on 17-19 March 2023. Ms. Labadan is one of the youngest participants during the competition and made history when she became the first rhythmic gymnast representing the Philippines to compete at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships during the 2022 edition of the tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ms. Labadan, together with her proud parents, met with Ambassador Giovanni and Mrs. Novelyn Palec during their courtesy visit at the Philippine Embassy in Greece on 20 March 2023.

Philippine Embassy’s “Usapang Babae” roundtable discussion on International Women’s Day 2023

Philippine Embassy Athens personnel, in their own words, share how they will commit to promoting gender equality and empower women

8 March 2023 - Philippine Embassy personnel held a collegial discussion on 8 March 2023 to mark International Women’s Day. As an offshoot of various lectures and seminars attended by personnel over the years, and in line with the theme of gender equality and an inclusive society, the frank and open discussions delved into how as individuals and as civil servants can personnel concretely help empower women. The discussion strengthened the personnel’s commitment to provide gender-sensitive and timely service to Filipinos in Greece, Cyprus, and North Macedonia, as well as to help empower each other. Embassy personnel further pledged to continue to pursue the advancement of gender equality everyday and not only on National Women’s Month


Free Health Screening and Positive Living Forum offered to Filipinos in Athens

Philippine Ambassador stresses the need to care for one’s self in order to effectively care for others

OFWs in Athens avail of free health tests

Over 50 participants attended the lecture

20 March 2023 - Around 30 Athens-based Filipinos availed of free health screening services, which included blood sugar and cholesterol testing, as part of the Health and Positive Living Forum for OFWs co-sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Athens and the Migrant Workers Office on 19 March 2023. Over 50 Filipinos attended the lectures on physical and mental health by Filipino and Greek resource persons which followed the health screening. The event was held at Pinoy Fitness and Dance Studio in Athens in celebration of National Women’s Month.


Philippine Embassy provides simultaneous consular services in Athens and Nicosia for National Women’s Month

Filipinos in Cyprus avail of consular services in Nicosia

Philippine Embassy personnel in purple pose with consular applicants during special Sunday service in Athens

Filipinos in Cyprus avail of consular services in Nicosia

13 March 2023 - On the occasion of National Women’s Month, two separate teams from the Philippine Embassy held simultaneous consular missions in Athens, Greece and Nicosia, Cyprus. Filipinos in Athens availed of passport and Overseas Voter Registration services at the Philippine Embassy in Athens on 12 March 2023, while applicants in Cyprus flocked to the consular outreach at the Centrum Hotel in Nicosia on 11-12 March 2023 to avail of passport, civil registry, dual citizenship, and labor and welfare services. The outreach in Cyprus was highlighted by a health and wellness seminar in Larnaca organized by the Migrant Workers Office and the Philippine Consulate in Larnaca, and capped by a meeting between the Filipino community and Philippine Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec.

Health and Positive Living Forum for OFWs in Cyprus

Ambassador Palec emphasized the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle as he noted that Filipinos in Cyprus are fast approaching advance age

13 March 2023 - In celebration of National Women’s Month, a seminar on physical and mental health conducted by health experts in Cyprus was held on 12 March 2023 in Larnaca. The event was co-sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Athens and organized by the Migrant Workers Office under Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz and Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina, with the support of Philippine Honorary Consul Charmagne Garcia- Laconico, and highlighted by the keynote address of Philippine Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec. The event was capped by a town hall meeting in which various issues affecting Filipinos in Cyprus were discussed.

The event drew 67 Cyprus-based Filipino attendees

Amb. Palec (2nd from right), Welfare Officer Mondina (leftmost), Labor Attache Cynthia Cruz (2nd from left), and Honorary Consul Charmagne Laconico (rightmost) pose with Cypriot physical and mental health experts

PH Ambassador and Greece’s Minister of Migration Discuss Greek Migration Policy

Athens, Greece - Philippine Ambassador to Greece Giovanni E. Palec met with Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarachi, on 01 March 2023 to discuss the migration policy of Greece and the entry of Filipino workers into the country.

The Ambassador informed Minister Mitarachi that there are numerous inquiries on how to bring Filipino workers to Greece to fill vacancies in the tourism industry. Minister Mitarachi confirmed that there is a significant shortage of tourism workers and acknowledged that Greece’s experience with Filipino workers has been very positive over the decades. The two officials discussed how the Philippines and Greece may work together to support Filipino mobility while alleviating Greek labor shortage.

Philippine Embassy in Athens joins the nation in celebrating the 2023 National Women’s Month

Philippine Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and personnel of the Embassy wear purple to mark the start of National Women’s Month. Committed to the advancement of women’s rights, the Embassy has month-long activities to promote gender equality and a more inclusive society in keeping with this year’s theme. Embassy personnel began to distribute brochures on women’s rights to consular applicants today as a part of the Embassy’s campaign to provide information that would empower women living in abroad.

Philippine Embassy Meets with the Filipino Community for its First Meeting for 2023

12 February 2023 - The Philippine Embassy conducted its first Town Hall Meeting for the year with the Filipino community on 12 February 2022 in person and via Zoom. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and joined by Consul Judy Robianes, Consul Therese Cantada, Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz and Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina.

Those present were from Accredited Community Partners (ACP) - Chona Pamintuan; B.I.M.A.K (Emilia Soriano); Budabosa-CCM-Abra- Jocelyn Haboy; Couples For Christ (CFC)- Marietta Ilagan; Crossroads UPC Athens (Luther Hallasgo); Filipino Athens Volunteers- Teresita Bristol; Filipino Christian Fellowship of Athens - Bella Sanchez-Pearson; Golden Wisdom Advocates- Danilo Robles; Team-Ba Organization- Ivy Bernardo; TFC Greece- Wilhelmina Mendoza-Buado; United Migrants Greece Chapter- Remelie Santiago and Triskelion Greece National Council - Esperanza Salva. Ms. Rosemarie Nicolas representing the Filipino Organization in Northern Greece in Thessaloniki attended via Zoom.

Ambassador Palec updated the meeting of consular matters and the start of registration for Overseas Voting for elections in May 2025; Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz gave an overview on the new Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the main tasks of Philippine Migrant Workers Office (WMO) formerly POLO, under the DMW. Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina informed the meeting that OWWA will continue to cater to OWWA members and dependents providing the same services.

The meeting was also informed of the upcoming activities of the Embassy and the Philippine National celebrations, the Contingency Plan preparation for Filipinos under the Embassy’s jurisdiction and Filcom’s plans for the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in June this year. Ambassador Palec encouraged the meeting to participate in the activities.

Arnis Introduction and Demonstration at the Embassy

Coach Arden Poblete with young Arnis participants during demonstration

30 January 2023 – In promoting Arnis as the Philippine national martial art and sport, the Philippine Embassy in Athens conducted an introduction and demonstration of Arnis on 29 January 2023 via zoom and in person at the Philippine Embassy.

Labatt Cynthia Cruz during group demonstration on basic moves of Arnis.

The event was led online by Philippine-based coach Mr. Ronald Farol, an accredited Technical Official of the Philippine Eskrima, Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) and coach of Cambodia Arnis Team. The in-person participants in the Embassy were guided by Mr. Arden Poblete, an Arnis coach based in Greece and founder/Instructor of the Kalidu International Association Inc. in Greece.

The activity was attended by some members of the Filipino community, Embassy personnel led by Ambassador Giovanni Palec, with First Secretary and Consul Therese Cantada, and PDMW-OWWA personnel led by Labatt Cynthia Cruz. The Greek instructors from Modern Kalidu Arnis guided the in-person participants with the basic moves and techniques of Arnis.

Ambassador Palec welcomed the participants and encouraged them to pursue the sport as it develops self-control and discipline and can also be used for self-defense. It also promotes the culture of the Filipinos.

Arnis is already known to some Greeks through the Kalidu Modern Arnis group which was founded by Mr. Poblete. The Embassy plans to introduce and promote Arnis in forthcoming activities.

The participants enjoyed the session on Arnis. A group photograph with the participants was taken after the demonstration. They were later treated with a simple meal of pancit, chicken and coffee.

Group photograph with Ambassador Giovanni Palec and coach Arden Poblete with Arnis participants

Philippine Embassy Commends Longstanding Partnership of Philippine Airlines and Goldair Group

From left to right) Ms. Therese R. Cantada, First Secretary and Consul; Mr. Nikos Sofiadis, Deputy Managing Director of Goldair Airline Services; Ms. Regina Golemi, Chair of Goldair Group; and H.E. Giovanni E. Palec, Ambassador of the Philippines to Greece and Cyprus.

Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec, together with First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada, met with Ms. Regina Golemi, Chair of Goldair Group and Mr. Nikos Sofiadis, Deputy Managing Director of Goldair Airline Services, at the Philippine Embassy on 12 January 2023.

Goldair Group is one of the largest and most reputable groups of companies in the fields of tourism and transportation in Greece. It has operations in the field of international forwarding and logistics, ground handling, aviation security services, rail cargo transportation, travelling and professional LED lighting and trade.

Goldair Airline Services is the general sales agent representing Philippine Airlines (PAL) in Greece since 1972. It is the first GSA Company in Greece and represents over 24 airlines in the passenger and cargo sector through the provision of a full range of services and facilities to promote airlines in the Greek market.

The meeting discussed the longstanding partnership between Goldair and Philippine Airlines and the opportunities for cooperation for exploration in the areas of tourism, labor and trade.

The Philippine Embassy presented Ms. Golemi and Mr. Sofiadis with tokens of appreciation for their continued support and partnership with the Philippines’ national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines.

Philippine Ambassador discuss strengthening of Philippines-Cyprus Economic and Labor Relations with Cypriot Labor Officials and Business Executives

Philippine Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec, together with Philippine Honorary Consul Criton Tornaritis of Nicosia, met with Mr. Andreas Zachariades, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor of the Republic of Cyprus on 08 December 2022 to discuss issues affecting the Overseas Filipino Workers in Cyprus.

During the meeting, Mr. Zachariades conveyed the transition of the Department of Social Insurance of Cyprus into the Deputy Ministry of Social Insurance, turning the office into a more upgraded agency which is expected to become fully operational in 2023.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the minimum wage for workers in Cyprus, noting the country’s recent enactment of the Ministry Decree on the minimum wage as well as the adoption of the International Labor Organization’s regulations concerning domestic workers and caregivers.

Ambassador Palec and Mr. Zachariades highlighted matters related to undocumented workers, and also evaluated the possibility for the Philippines and Cyprus to enter into a bilateral labor agreement for different categories of workers, including hospitality and tourism sector.

On 09 December 2022, Ambassador Giovanni Palec, together with Philippine Honorary Consul Charmagne Garcia-Laconico of Larnaca, met with Mr. Antonis Orthodoxou, Group Managing Director of Orthodoxou Group and Mr. Dominique Laconico, President and Chief Executive Officer of Megabet Plus, to discuss the interest to establish a Philippine-Cyprus Chamber of Commerce or Business Council.

Mr. Antonis Orthodoxou is engaged in a family-owned conglomerate ranging from petroleum supply to banking and finance as well as labor supply services while Mr. Dominique Laconico’s company, Megabet Plus, is part of the Udenna Group of Companies which includes Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant.

During the meeting, the business executives were advised to explore the more convenient option with a view to establish an entity that would help facilitate more trade and services between the Philippines and Cyprus.

While this is still in the exploratory stage, the meeting agreed that the establishment of such a body would help propel business relations between the two countries.

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
26 Antheon Street, Paleo Psychiko 154 52 Athens, Greece

Office Hours
Consular Processing: Monday to Friday (except holidays) 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Consular Jurisdiction
GREECE
CYPRUS
NORTH MACEDONIA

Contact Details
(0030) 210 672 1837
For emergency: +306974319539
(0030) 210 672 1883
athens.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Consular Section
(0030) 210 672 2011