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PHL AMBASSADOR GRACES HOME SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATION CEREMONY IN SINGAPORE

14 January 2016 - On January 10, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales was guest of honor during the graduation ceremony of the Skills Training Program of the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) Academy at the United World College Auditorium in Tampines, Singapore.

Filipinos, composing roughly half of the 800 graduates in technical courses such as caregiving, aromatherapy, baking, cooking, cosmetology, dressmaking and English, all received certificates of completion. The commencement ceremonies for a second batch of graduates will be held on January 17.

In his remarks, Ambassador Morales commended the graduates for completing their respective programs, which would help them search for new and better livelihood opportunities in the future. He also thanked the officers and members of HOME, employers, benefactors and friends and volunteer teachers for unselfishly sharing their time, expertise and support to the students.

Ambassador Morales said that the Philippine Embassy is a proud partner of HOME, a non-governmental organization that works for the welfare of overseas workers in Singapore, consistent with the Philippine Government’s thrust of maintaining strong collaboration with non-government organizations in the self-development of Filipinos at home and abroad. He also took the opportunity to call on all registered Filipino overseas voters to cast their vote early during the 2016 elections at the Philippine Embassy.

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15 HOUSEHOLD SERVICE WORKERS IN HONG KONG COMPLETE 1^st LEVEL BASIC CANTONESE

29 December 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General and International Social Service Hong Kong Branch conferred certificates of completion to 15 household service workers (HSWs) who satisfactorily completed the nine-week Basic Cantonese Level I classes. The simple graduation ceremony was held on December 13 at the Consulate General Gallery.

Philippine Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla congratulated the graduates for diligently attending the Sunday classes from October 11 to December 6. She also commended them for their interest to pursue Level II of the Baisc Cantones for Filipinos, which will start in January 2016.

A two-hour team-building and financial literacy session followed the commencement rites. Ms. Sonya Perez, General Manager of Philippine National Bank Hong Kong, facilitated the activity and gave the participants valuable insights and tips on how to manage their finances.

BAYANIHAN NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY PERFORMS IN BEIJING

16 November 2015 – As part of the year-long celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-China diplomatic relations, the Bayanihan National Dance Company, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, had their goodwill performance here in Beijing on November 02 at the Beijing Century Theatre.

The Bayanihan repertoire consisted of four suites that showcased the ancient rituals and traditions in the highlands of Southern Philippines; the Spanish influence on the Filipino style; the traditions of lumad tribes; and the sunny fun-loving nature of the Filipino people.

The performance was attended by Deputy Director General Bai Tian, together with officials of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peking University, China Radio International, selected members of the Filipino community in Beijing.