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COUPLES FOR CHRIST LEBANON CELEBRATES 16^TH ANNIVERSARY

21 July 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon joined in the 16^th Anniversary Celebration of the Couples for Christ-Lebanon Chapter during a Eucharistic Thanksgiving held at St. Joseph Church in Tabaris, Achrafieh on July 19. The mass was officiated by Fr. Peter Girasek SJ from Slovakia and Fr. Stefan Hengst SJ from Germany.

The theme for this year’s celebration was “Love More, John 21:15-17”. The event was participated in by members of the CFC Family Ministries, including the Kids for Christ (KFC), Youth for Christ (YFC), Singles for Christ (SFC), Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) and Servants of the Lord (SOLD). The mass was followed by a Reception held at the Function Room of St. Joseph Church, featuring a video presentation of the whole year activities, group singing, and dancing of the Kids and Youth for Christ. 

Embassy Cultural Officer Ms. Ma. Chloe Silverio delivered the message of Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz during the reception, which conveyed the Embassy’s recognition and commendation of the dedicated leadership of CFC Country Head Mr. Jun Iriola and of the CFC’s commitment to its mission to help Christian individuals and married couples in Lebanon renew their faith and life of service to God.

As part of its 16^th Anniversary Celebration, the CFC also organized last July 05 an outing to the Our Lady of Maghdouché Church in Sidon and the Turquoise Beach Resort in Tyre. During the CFC get-together, the Embassy was represented by the Ambassador’s immediate family and several Embassy officers: her spouse, Mr. Alejandro Ricardo Ruiz, her 5-year old daughter Michaela Alexandra Ruiz, and her private staff Mr. Jone Marvin Tulio, Cultural Officer Ms. Maria Chloe Silverio and her spouse Mr. Dexter Silverio, Filipino Community Coordinator Ms. Loremie Bautista, Ms. Jermaine Joy Ramirez , spouse of Records and Communications Officer Mr. Joel Ramirez, Mrs. Chita Pasco, the mother of Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Ms. Julie Rose Pasco, the family of Labor Attaché Mr. Bulyok Nilong (his spouse Mrs. Rosario Nilong and daughter Ms. Ayessa Nilong), Welfare Officer Imelda Gatinao, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Administrative Officer Genevieve Tatad-De Castro and her spouse Salvador De Castro, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Staff/Driver Mr. Joselito Sunga.

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PHL EMBASSY, POLO, OWWA HOLD SEARCH FOR PINOY MASTER CHEF TO CELEBRATE 2015 MIGRANT WORKERS' DAY IN LEBANON

21 July 2015 - In celebration of the 2015 Migrant Workers’ Day, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Beirut, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy, held its first ever “Search for Pinoy Master Chef in Lebanon” on July 12 at the Embassy’s Function Room, with the theme “Kasanayan at Husay sa Paggawa, Proteksiyon ng Migranteng Manggagawa”.

The contest gathered top nine Filipino chefs specializing in sushi food preparation, namely, Florence Bulubling, Dennis Cabusi, Jason Ignacio, Shirley Pepito, Rovelyn Reyes, Evelyn Pauline Estallo, Ronel Orejana, Joy Vigan and Ernesto Perez. They are currently working in various well-known sushi restaurants in Lebanon. 

During the opening ceremony, Welfare Officer Imelda Gatinao read the message of OWWA Administrator Rebecca Calzado. Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz conveyed the Embassy’s support for the event as a means to promote the skills of our Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon. The organizers then briefed the participants on the rules of the contest. 

The participants had 30 minutes to produce their respective sushi creations after which the panel of judges composed of Mr. Melhem A. Rechdan and Mr. Salvador G. De Castro and led by Mr. Ricardo Alejandro D. Ruiz cast their votes on the tastiest and most artfully presented sushi.

Mr. Dennis Cabusy was proclaimed champion of the contest, followed by Mr. Ernesto Perez in second place, and Mr. Ronel Orejana in third place.

The winners received a trophy and cash prize courtesy of POLO and OWWA, while all the participants received a certificate of appreciation.