PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI CELEBRATES YEAR-END FESTIVITIES WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITIES ACROSS EAST AFRICA

The officers and staff of Nairobi PE with the Filipino community in Kenya

NAIROBI, 19 December 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi took part in a series of thanksgiving and year-end celebrations with Filipino communities in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, showcasing the vibrant spirit and solidarity of Filipinos abroad.

On 03 December 2023, the Embassy hosted its annual salu-salo, in collaboration with Filcom-Kenya, an organization of Filipinos based in the country.

Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, in her remarks, thanked the Filipino community for their unwavering support for the Embassy’s activities throughout the year. She also encouraged the Filipinos in Kenya and other African countries to continue fostering the spirit of community and collaboration.

The celebration commenced with a Thanksgiving Mass led by Fr. Norman Labutan, followed by a salu-salo, a traditional Filipino feast, which featured an array of Filipino delicacies. Adding to the festive atmosphere were Christmas-themed parlor games and a raffle draw, which provided entertainment and excitement for all attendees.

A highlight of the gathering is the Christmas Carol competition, where participants delighted the audience with their beautiful rendition of classic carols, filling the atmosphere with festive cheer. The event also included a Parol-making contest, in which participants created their own versions of Filipino Christmas lanterns, out of recycled materials, showcasing their creativity and environmental awareness.

On 04 December 2023, Ambassador Tang, accompanied by Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced and Attaché Sherlyn M. Roxas, joined the Filipino community in Rwanda for a salu-salo hosted by Ms. Rachel Lynn V. Pineda, Philippine Honorary Consul in Kigali. The gathering provided an opportunity for Ambassador Tang to reconnect with Filipinos in Rwanda, following her first visit in 2022, and to address some of their questions and concerns.

Meanwhile, on 10 December 2023, Vice Consul Merced and Attaché Jose D. Aguilera Jr. participated in the year-end gathering of Filipinos in Kampala, Uganda, organized by the Filipino Foundation in Uganda Ltd. (FFUL). The gathering provided an opportunity for Filipinos in Uganda to reconnect with each other, and also share their blessings with the less fortunate. 

These gatherings not only celebrated the end of the year, but also reinforced the Filipino diaspora's strong bonds and shared cultural heritage, highlighting their resilience and positive impact within their respective communities. END

From left: Fr. Ronald Espartero, Fr. Norman Labutan, Fr. James Dela Serna and Fr. Deem Virtudazo during the celebration of Thanksgiving Mass

Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang delivers her year-end message for the Filipino community

Participants of Parol-making contest proudly showcased their own creations

Christmas carol contestants delight the audience with their serenades.Team Flaming Lemon (bottom left) wins the grand prize.

Pinoy salu-salo serves a variety of Filipino dishes prepared by the community, including, among others, lechon baboy, chicken and pork adobo, beef tapa, pancit palabok, and bicol express.

Ambassador Tang (seated at the center) with Consul, a.h. Rachel Lynn Pineda and Vice Consul Louie Dane Merced (both seated beside Amb. Tang) with the Filipino community in Rwanda.

Vice Consul Merced and Attaché Jose Aguilera, Jr. join the Filipino community in Uganda in their year-end celebration.

PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI ENGAGES WITH KENYAN AND RWANDAN INSTITUTIONS IN CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Isange One Stop Centre (IOSC) National Coordinator Shafiga Murebwayire provides PH Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang a tour of the Centre’s facilities for the victims of GBV. (Photo by IOSC)

NAIROBI, 13 December 2023 – In observance of the Philippines’ 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi exchanged views, experiences, and best practices with various institutions that cater to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya and Rwanda. 

On 05 December 2023, Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, visited the Isange One Stop Centre (IOSC) in Kigali, Rwanda. Established in 2009 as a joint initiative of the Rwandan government, UN Women and UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the IOSC provides medical, legal, forensic, psychosocial, and safety services to survivors of violence and abuse, predominantly women and girls. The name 'Isange' translates to "Feel free/Feel welcome," symbolizing a haven of security and openness for the survivors.

Ms. Shafiga Murebwayire, IOSC National Coordinator, explained the interventions being undertaken by the Centre to assist women and children. She also provided a tour of the facilities, offering the Embassy valuable insights into holistic, innovative, and survivor-centered approaches to addressing GBV.

During her visit to Kigali, Ambassador Tang also paid a courtesy call on Dr. Valentine Umwamariya, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion of Rwanda, to exchange views on promoting gender equality and eliminating GBV. Ambassador Tang, in particular, shared the Philippines’ Gender and Development (GAD) program across all units of the government, reflecting the country’s strong commitment to mainstream gender issues.

The Philippines and Rwanda are leaders in Asia and Africa, respectively, in promoting gender equality.  In the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index, the Philippines ranked 16^th, while Rwanda ranked 12^th, out of 146 countries surveyed.

Meanwhile, on 24 November 2023, the Philippine Embassy, represented by Consul Maria Rosanna O. Josue, Vice Consul and Embassy’s GAD Focal Point Louie Dane C. Merced, and Alternate GAD Focal Point Sherlyn M. Roxas, met with the Kenyan Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), led by Executive Director Anne Ireri. 

FIDA-Kenya, a leading women's rights organization in Kenya, is known for its extensive legal aid services, offering assistance to women facing various forms of injustice, including domestic violence, property and inheritance disputes, and issues related to family law. FIDA also focuses on capacity building and empowerment programs for women, aiming to increase their legal literacy and ability to assert their rights. 

FIDA-Kenya provided the Embassy with information on Kenya's legal systems and advocacy efforts to protect women from violence. The Embassy and FIDA-Kenya expressed interest to explore collaborative projects in the future, including by engaging Filipino women living in Kenya.

In accordance with Republic Act 10398, the Philippines observes the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children every 25 November. In 2006, Proclamation 1172 extended the annual national campaign to 18 days, up to 12 December, the date that marked the signing of the 2000 UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, to supplement the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes. This campaign underscores the Philippine government's dedication to safeguarding the women’s and girls’ human rights and combating all forms of gender-based violence. END

IOSC National Coordinator Murebwayire shows the room dedicated for young children who have suffered abuse.

From right: Vice Consul and Embassy’s GAD Focal Point Louie Dane C. Merced, IOSC National Coordinator Murebwayire, Ambassador Tang, Consul Rachel Lynn V. Pineda of PH Honorary Consulate in Kigali, and Attaché and Embassy’s Alternate GAD Focal Point Ms. Sherlyn Roxas. (Photo by IOSC)

Ambassador Tang presents Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Dr. Valentine Uwamariya with a Filipiniana gift after their discussion on possible areas of collaboration on gender.

FIDA-Kenya Executive Director Anne Ireri talks about Kenya's legal systems and FIDA-Kenya’s advocacy efforts to protect women from violence.

Consul Maria Rosanna O. Josue (center), Vice Consul Merced (second to the right), and Attaché Roxas (rightmost) with the officials of FIDA-Kenya.

PH, RWANDA SIGN MOU TO BOLSTER BILATERAL COOPERATION

PH Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta sign the MOU on behalf of their respective governments. (Photo by MINAFFET-Rwanda)

NAIROBI, 08 December 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to Rwanda Marie Charlotte G. Tang (with residence in Nairobi) and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of General Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda on 05 December 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. 

During a tête-à-tête prior to the signing ceremony, Ambassador Tang hailed the agreement as a milestone in Philippines-Rwanda relations, as it will provide direction and structure for cooperation between the two countries. 

Foreign Minister Biruta noted the longstanding and cordial ties between Rwanda and the Philippines, and expressed the hope that the MOU would open doors for the two countries to have a more vibrant engagement across different sectors.

Under the MOU, the Philippines and Rwanda will collaborate in the fields of human resources development, scientific and technological exchanges, education, health, agriculture, gender, youth, environmental issues, and security. 

During her visit to Kigali, Ambassador Tang also took the opportunity to meet with Rwandan officials from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the Rwanda National Police, and the Rwanda Development Board, initiating discussions on specific collaborations in support of the newly-signed MOU. 

Rwanda, a small landlocked country in central Africa, has emerged from the ashes of the 1994 Rwandan genocide to become one of Africa’s most dynamic and fastest-growing economies. Rwanda, known as the “land of a thousand hills”, is also recognized for its conservation success of the critically endangered mountain gorilla. END.

Ambassador Tang and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta pose for a photo after the signing ceremony (Photo by MINAFFET-Rwanda)

Ambassador Tang and Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Dr. Valentine Uwamariya discuss potential areas of collaboration in advancing SDG5 and other global objectives on gender. (Photo from the MIGEPROF-Rwanda)

Ambassador Tang (fourth from left) met with Inspector General of the Rwanda National Police of Rwanda National Police (RNP) Felix Namuhoranye (fifth from left) to exchange views and best practices on participation in UN peacekeeping missions. (Photo by RNP)

Ambassador Tang also met with Ms. Nelly Mukazayire, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), to identify areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Rwanda, particularly in business and tourism.