SECRETARY DEL ROSARIO CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR PHL’S CANDIDATURE TO UN AUDITING BOARD 08 July 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario hosted a reception for the diplomatic and consular corps on July 04 at the Manila Polo Club to seek international support for the candidature of Atty. Ma. Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, Chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), to the United Nations Board of Auditors (UNBOA) for the term 2014-2020 at elections to be held in November 2013. Aside from highlighting Chairperson Tan’s extensive experience and expertise, as well as professional integrity that will make her an asset to the United Nations, Secretary Del Rosario also lauded COA as an institution that has contributed much to the economic development and progress of the country by ensuring the efficient and transparent use of government resources. “Chairperson Tan’s candidature represents the Philippines’ contribution towards promoting transparency, accountability, high ethical standards, and efficiency in the UN,” Secretary Del Rosario added. Chairperson Tan, in her speech, outlined her vision and priorities if elected to the UNBOA, which include: Undertaking a risk-based audit planning process to focus UN’s limited resources to operations with the most significant impact; Continuous dialogue and cooperation with the management and staff of the audited UN organizations to develop and put forward recommendations that are truly necessary and implementable; Coordination with other oversight bodies such as audit committees, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), finance committees, internal audits, and the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) to ensure coordination and coherence of plans and activities; Deployment of auditors and other experts with the professional expertise and experience, who are physically and psychologically fit for the rigorous and painstaking work that effective, world class audit demands, and who have proven relational and communication skills of the highest level; and Ensure that the external audit services to the UN organizations are delivered in conformity with international audit standards and with the highest level of integrity and independence to enhance accountability and transparency in corporate governance. “Last but not least, I bring the perspective and strength of a woman, a gender balance that should serve the UN well at these crucial times,” Chairperson Tan said. Thirty-seven (37) members of the diplomatic corps and 30 honorary consuls were joined by the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of DFA geographic offices, as well as COA officials during the reception. END Documentary Team INTERVIEWS PHL Ambassador for 10th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Cooperation 08 July 2013 - To mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership and the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), a documentary team was organized by the provincial government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, under the supervision of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to film a documentary entitled “10th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Cooperation.” The documentary team conducted exclusive interviews with ambassadors from the ASEAN embassies in Beijing, with the primary objective of providing the Chinese audience a better understanding of the many achievements attained over a decade of strong relations between ASEAN and China, which has resulted in regional prosperity, increased appreciation of indigenous arts and culture, and enhanced people-to-people contacts among the peoples of ASEAN and China. Mr. Zhao Bo, Writer and Director for the documentary team, had an exclusive interview with Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda F. Basilio on July 04 at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing. During the interview, Ambassador Basilio and Mr. Zhao discussed the current state of economic and trade cooperation between ASEAN and China since the establishment of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership ten years ago, achievements gained by the Philippines through the CAEXPO and its role in boosting bilateral trade in goods and services, investment cooperation, expectations on the future development of the CAEXPO, and ways by which economic relations between the Philippines and China could be further strengthened. Ambassador Basilio concluded the interview by underscoring the wish of President Benigno S. Aquino III to restore relations between the Philippines and China back to its previous excellent state. Ambassador Basilio also noted that the CAEXPO is a platform to further strengthen ties and cooperation between the Philippines and China, which would contribute to both countries achieving their respective development goals and further enhance bilateral relations. END Pinoy Chefs, mango RUM AND stunning Philippine landscapes heat up Moscow summer 08 July 2013 - Iconic Filipino dishes and drinks, including lechon, chicken adobo, rellenong sugpo, signature cocktails using Paradise mango rum liqueur from Destileria Limtuaco, and favorite Filipino thirst quencher sago’t gulaman took center stage at the gala opening of the Philippine Culinary Week in Moscow. In collaboration with the Swissotel Krasnye Holmy, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow launched on June 17 the week-long Philippine food festival featuring Chef Sharwin Tee of Lifestyle Network’s Curiosity Got the Chef and Moscow-based Chef Ronnie Reduta. The event was attended by Russian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of local food and lifestyle media, members of the Russia- Philippines Business Council, guests from Moscow’s food and restaurant business sector, and Filipino expatriates. The highlight of the event was the master class on Philippine culinary tradition and techniques given by Chefs Tee and Reduta to the avid Russian guests. Stunning landscape photographs by a young New York-based Filipino executive and photography enthusiast, Daniel Icasiano, were also exhibited to showcase the country’s unparalleled tourist attractions and create a Filipino ambience for the occasion. In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Alejandro B. Mosquera highlighted the diversity and uniqueness of Philippine cuisine owing to the country’s history and archipelagic geography. The Culinary Festival was held until June 21 and was part of the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. It aims to introduce Philippine cuisine and food products to the Russian market in pursuit of the country’s economic diplomacy goals. END PHL CONSULATE GENERAL SENDS OFF DELEGATION TO 8th ACGTDT 08 July 2013 - With barely a week before the official start of the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) to the Philippines from July 09 to 12, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, the designated Tour Coordinator for this year, held a pre-departure orientation and briefing for all tour participants on July 03 at the Consulate’s Alay sa Sakada Lanai. The event also served as the Consulate’s send-off and “It’s more fun in the Philippines!” bash for the participants from both Hawaii and French Polynesia, which total to 108, the biggest delegation from across the United States and Canada. During the briefing, the attendees conveyed their appreciation for the Consulate for organizing this annual activity which allows them to rediscover the Philippines and reunite with their families and friends in the country. They also said that they look forward to this Tour, which promises to offer new destinations and attractions. The Consulate in Honolulu, having had the most number of registrants to the Tour since 2007, launched the 8th ACGTDT in January 2013. Along with the efforts of Hawaii’s top four travel agencies – Aloha Tours and Travel, Everlasting Travel, Noble Travel and Panda Travel, the Consulate undertook a massive marketing blitz to promote the annual tour, the highlight of which is an audience with President Benigno S. Aquino III. Among the delegates from Hawaii include Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, Maui Councilmembers Gladys Baisa, Don Guzman, and Donald Couch Jr., Ms. Maria A.F. Etrata, Incoming Chair, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) and Mr. David Asanuma, Executive Director, Honolulu Festival Foundation. Also joining the Tour are Ms. Edith Gudoy and Ms. Letty Saban, consistent ACGTDT participants for 8 and 7 years, respectively, and Ms. Bennette Misalucha of the Fil-Am Courier and Ms. Carlota Ader of the Hawaii-Filipino Chronicle, the Tour’s media partners. END
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:36:31 +0000
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