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FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN COTONOU CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH PHL AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA

11 December 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Abuja headed by Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid, attended the Christmas party and conducted consular services in Cotonou on December 06.

The event was attended by more than 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Beninese and other foreign friends and opened by a prayer meeting and exhortation led by El Shaddai’s Brother Lucas. Brother Lucas expounded on the meaning and significance of Christmas, with the full participation of Beninese members of El Shaddai, who read the Gospel in their native Fon language and in French. The inter-cultural exchange was marked by the preaching of Brother Lucas in English and Filipino.

Ambassador Lamadrid expressed his gratitude to Philippine Honorary Consul Tomasso Berruti and the Filipino community in Benin Republic for their kind invitation, this being the first Christmas party attended by the Embassy outside Nigeria. The Ambassador encouraged the OFWs to exercise their right to suffrage and vote in the upcoming 2016 national elections by registering as overseas voters.

The Ambassador expressed appreciation to Consul Berruti for his dedicated service to the OFWs in Benin Republic since the establishment of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Cotonou a year ago. He also told the OFWs that the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Cotonou is readily available any time, should they need assistance especially regarding immigration and labor matters. The Ambassador also encouraged foreign guests to attend the Manila FAME in March 2015.

After the Ambassador delivered his short message, a sumptous dinner of Filipino food was served, followed by karaoke singing.

Ambassador Lamadrid was accompanied by Assistance-To-Nationals Officer Raymund C. Ondiano and Communications Officer Clifford Legal.

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PHL EMBASSY JOINS “PASKO NG PINOY 2014” CELEBRATION WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

16 December 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam participated in “The 8^th Pasko ng Pinoy,” the Christmas and year-end celebration for the Filipino community in Brunei Darussalam, held on December 07 at Kampong Beribi, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan. The said event is an annual activity of the Filipino Association in Brunei (FAB), in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy and various Filipino communmity groups in Brunei Darussalam.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Nestor Z. Ochoa attended the event as guest of honor along with Madame Mayie Ochoa. In his remarks, Ambassador Ochoa cited the accomplishments of the Philippine Embassy for the year 2014 in partnership with the Filipino community. He extended his appreciation for the Filipino community’s support to the Embassy’s cultural and economic initiatives, and reminded them to register to be able to vote in the May 2016 national elections.

FAB President Idil Bartholomew stated in her speech that the event aims to show the national spirit of the Filipinos in Brunei and to bring cultural awareness of their home-country.

The event was participated by various Filipino groups in Brunei under the umbrella of FAB, comprising of representatives from the professional, skilled and semi-skilled sectors. The occasion also showcased the talents of selected Filipino community members. During the event, the attendees enjoyed the entertainment provided by guest comedians from the Philippines and the live band, as well as the raffle draws.          

The Filipino community also took the opportunity to serenade and greet Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa and Madame Mayie Ochoa on the occasion of their birthdays on December 08 and December 11, respectively, and wedding anniversary on December 10.