GOVPH

THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE LAUNCHES AMBASSADOR MONTEALEGRE’S “THE MUTE STORYTELLER”

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) launched “The Mute Storyteller”, a book showcasing the art and talent of Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre at a ceremony held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila on 13 June 2022. The launch was attended by Mrs. Ma. Lourdes B. Locsin, as guest of honor and who also delivered a message, as well as FSI Director General Jose Maria Cariño, Ambassadors Christopher Montero (Assistant Secretary for Human Resource Office of the DFA) and Sulpicio Confiado (DFA’s Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fiscal Management), and other DFA officials.

The Mute Storyteller tells the stories of scenes frozen in time, of moments captured into permanence, reciting the tales of changing seasons and the cadence of time. It features a compilation of photos of beautiful sceneries taken from various countries, including the captivating scenery of Vietnam. The Mute Storyteller generously shares to us a world of visual poetry and whispers the tales of places and scenes from different continents as captured through the lens of an artist and a diplomat.

Ambassador Meynardo LB Montealegre presenting a copy of his book, The Mute Storyteller, to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (second from left). Joining them in the photo is the author, Ms. Frances Marie B. Montealegre (far right). The book was published by the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Montealegre with Mrs. Ma. Lourdes B. Locsin (center), with the author Ms. Frances Marie B. Montealegre (2^nd from the right) and FSI Director General Ambassador Jose Maria Cariño (extreme right). In the photo is Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (extreme left), Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY INAUGURATES SENTRO RIZAL IN HANOI

Hanoi, Vietnam -Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo LB. Montealegre and Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) inaugurated Sentro Rizal in Hanoi on 21 June 2022 together with the members of the Filipino Community in Vietnam.

The Sentro Rizal Hanoi is part of the cultural diplomacy project of the Philippine Embassy and is supported by the NCCA through Republic Act no. 10066 or the Heritage Law. The Sentro Rizal’s main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language throughout the world. Aside from Sentro Rizal in Hanoi, there are also 36 Sentro Rizal all over the globe.

Ambassador Montealegre, quoting Dr. Rizal’s words when he wrote to the young women of Malolos in 1889, said, “Ignorance is like slavery because whatever the mind thinks, that is how the person will act. A person who does not have a mind of his or her own is not a person. A person who is blind from knowledge will follow what others will say and that person is no different from an animal who will blindly follow the leash. I encourage all of you, through our Sentro Rizal, to spread our heritage to family and friends in Vietnam so that they may understand us deeper and foster a more accepting and understanding international community.”

NCCA Executive Director Casaysay emphasized that each Filipino in Vietnam is a bearer of Philippine culture. “I encourage everyone to learn more about our heritage, develop programs that nurture our identity, and reinforce our activities for a creative and inclusive community. Makilahok, maki-alam, makisama sa pangangalaga at pagpapayabong ng ating kultura dito sa Sentro Rizal Hanoi. Together, let us be proud of our identity and culture, and forge ahead, strong and proud of our genius and heritage,” Executive Director Casaysay said to the attendees.

Philippine Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre and Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts unveils the Sentro Rizal marker at the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21 June 2022.

Ambassador Montealegre signs the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the establishment of the Sentro Rizal Hanoi, with NCCA Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay witnessing on behalf of NCCA Chairman Arsenio J. Lizaso.

During the inauguration ceremony, both the NCCA and the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which spells out the undertaking of both agencies for the maintenance and utilization of the Sentro Rizal. Executive Director Casaysay also took the opportunity to inspect the Rizal bust located at the Embassy grounds, which was unveiled by officials from the Philippine Embassy on 12 June during the commemoration of the 124^th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

Philippine Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre and Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21 June 2022.

AMBASSADOR MONTEALEGRE JOINS FILIPINO COMMUNITY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN HO CHI MINH CITY

AMBASSADOR MONTEALEGRE JOINS FILIPINO COMMUNITY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN HO CHI MINH CITY

On 19 June 2022, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo LB Montealegre joined the Filipino community in Ho Chi Minh City in commemorating the 124^th anniversary of Philippine Independence through the invitation of the Samahang Pinoy sa Vietnam (SAPI). Joining him during the said activity were Consul Shirley O. Nuevo, Honorary Consul General Atty. Le Thi Phung, and Honorary Vice Consul Atty. Nguyen Gia Viet Huy.

In his remarks, Ambassador Montealegre shared information on the positive developments in the Philippine economy. He thanked the Filipinos living in Vietnam for their assistance to fellow Filipinos during the pandemic.

“This year, we look back both not only on the hard work and sacrifices of the Filipino heroes who fought for the country’s independence, but also to the contribution of Filipinos, including many among you living in Vietnam who have given so much despite having so little during the time need. Your generosity not only to your family, but also to your community and to our kababayan have inspired others to strive forward for a better future,” the Ambassador stated.

Ambassador Meynardo LB Montealegre delivering his remarks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam during commemorating the 124^th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day together with the Filipino community.

He reminded the Filipinos in Vietnam to be conscious not to disregard their sacrifices for the past two years and extended the Embassy’s fervent wish that the lives of all Filipinos living and working in Vietnam be more prosperous, peaceful and meaningful.

SAPI is composed of Filipino community organizations mostly living in the southern part of Vietnam and is under the leadership of Mr. Gerard Ruivivar. Their event, called HAPINAS 2022, is a continuation of similar events called “HAPINAS”, which began in 2015 and aims to showcase the Filipino culture and tradition. This year’s event was attended by around 200 Filipinos and was the first big gathering of the Filipino Community in southern Vietnam since the pandemic.

Students from the Victory International Education performing a traditional Filipino dance during HAPINAS 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City as part of the commemoration of the 124^th Philippine Independence.