PH EMBASSY HOSTS DIPLOMACY STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (seventh from left) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced (ninth from left), with the students of the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies (DDIS) of the University of Nairobi (UoN). The students were accompanied by Ms. Lucy Odero (sixth from left) and Dr. Shazia Chaudhry (tenth from left) of the DDIS.

NAIROBI, 03 May 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi hosted a group of first-year students from the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies (DDIS) of the University of Nairobi (UoN) on 03 May 2023, as part of the Embassy’s outreach to raise the awareness and visibility of the Philippines among the Kenyan public.

In welcoming the students, Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang noted that the visit is a follow-through to the initial engagements between the Embassy and the DDIS in 2022, and expressed optimism for further collaborations. She also advised the students, many aspiring to become diplomats, that life in the foreign service is not always glamorous, but entails a lot of hard work and learning.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced gave a briefing on the Philippines, Philippines-Kenya relations, and ASEAN.

During the open forum, questions centered on the prospects of closer Philippines-Kenya cooperation, especially in the education sector, and the possibility of increasing engagements between ASEAN and African countries. The students also took the opportunity to ask questions about diplomatic practices such as presentation of credentials, and diplomatic protocols and etiquette.

Some of the students shared that their initial familiarity with the Philippines was limited to Filipino teleseryes or television dramas, and that they learned more about the country through the visit to the Embassy and interaction with Filipino diplomats.

Following the briefing, the students partook of pansit bihon, empanada, and turon as part of their introduction to Filipino cuisine and culture. END

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Merced presented an overview of the Philippines, its government, economy, history, culture, and foreign policy to the UoN students.

AMB. TANG PRESENTS CREDENTIALS AS PH NON-RESIDENT ENVOY TO MALAWI

PH Ambassador Tang (left) presents her Letter of Credence to President Chakwera (right). Photo by State House Malawi.

LILONGWE, 31 March 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi Marie Charlotte G. Tang, with residence in Nairobi, presented her credentials to President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on 30 March 2023 in a ceremony held at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi. 

During the ceremony, Ambassador Tang conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to President Chakwera and the Malawian people.  She also expressed condolences on the loss of lives, injuries and displacement caused by Cyclone Freddy, which recently struck the southern part of Malawi.

She noted the potential for both countries to enhance cooperation, both multilaterally and bilaterally, including in the areas of economic, people-to-people, and functional cooperation. 

President Chakwera, in turn, expressed his hope that both countries could create greater opportunities for cooperation. 

While in Malawi, Ambassador Tang also met with members of the Filipino community in Lilongwe, most of whom are skilled professionals working in fields such as healthcare, engineering, construction, education, and missionary work.

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, known for its diverse wildlife, scenic landscapes, and beautiful lakes, including Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa. The country's economy is largely based on agriculture, with tobacco, tea, and sugarcane being major exports. Malawi is also rich in natural resources, including uranium, coal, and rare earth minerals.

The Philippines and Malawi formally established diplomatic relations in 2001. END

From left: PH Ambassador Tang, President Chakwera, and Nairobi PE Attaché Sherlyn Roxas. Photo by State House Malawi.

PH Ambassador Tang during the arrival ceremony at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. Photo by State House Malawi. 

PH Ambassador Tang (sixth from left) with some members of the Filipino community in Lilongwe.

PH EMBASSY HOSTS AFTERNOON TEA WITH FILIPINAS IN KENYA TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH

Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (ninth from left) and Vice Consul and GAD Focal Point Officer (GFPO) Louie Dane C. Merced (tenth from left), with the attendees of the “Afternoon Tea with Filipino Women in Kenya”

NAIROBI, 27 March 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Kenya, in celebration of the National Women’s Month, hosted an event titled “Afternoon Tea with Filipino Women in Kenya” on 26 March 2023 at the Embassy.

The event gathered Filipinas based in Kenya for networking and exchange on stories and experiences as a woman living in the country. It included a “talk show” with discussants coming from different professional backgrounds, including the private sector, academe, MSMEs, and international organizations.  

The discussion touched upon some of the challenges that women continue to face including domestic violence, cyberbullying, and lack of access to education. The discussants also noted how gender issues may arise from the differences in cultures and expectations of gender roles in the Philippines and in Kenya.

The discussants emphasized that women can support and empower other women through mentorship, extending empathy and listening actively to those who are vulnerable, providing equal access to education to both boys and girls, and by celebrating the successes of other women. They also called for greater collaboration between the Embassy and the Filipino community, working with Kenyan partners, in promoting a more gender-responsive and inclusive society.

The 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) coincides with the launch of the new theme for the period 2023-2028: “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”.

The discussants shared their views on gender-related challenges in Kenya and the Philippines and how Filipino women in Kenya can support and empower each other.

From left to right: Ms. Liezza Lou Tambuyat, Ms. Anne Louise Biating, Ms. Rosalinda Ladha, Ambassador Tang, Ms. Maria Julwin De Guzman, Ms. Marilou Moises, and Vice Consul and GFPO Merced.