GOVPH

PH Senator Visits Embassy to Meet with FilCom, MWRC Clients

DOHA 02 January 2025 — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian met with Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Her Excellency Lillibeth V. Pono, before engaging with members of the Filipino community and clients of the Migrant Workers Resource Center (MWRC) during his visit to the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the State of Qatar on 02 January 2025.

Ambassador Pono provided the Chair of the Senate Committees on Basic Education and Ways and Means an overview of the state of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Qatar.

At the meeting with select members of the Filipino community, Senator Gatchalian conveyed the Senate’s commitment to address the unique needs of Filipino professionals in Qatar. He also noted ongoing efforts to strengthen mechanisms for the successful reintegration of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) upon their return to the Philippines.

Senator Gatchalian’s visit to the Embassy concluded with a “kamustahan” with MWRC clients. Officials of Migrant Workers Office-Qatar, led by Welfare Officer Nestor Burayag, provided Senator Gatchalian an overview of MWRC’s operations and the various cases facing its Filipino clients.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.

PH Embassy Commemorates Rizal Day, Inaugurates New Chancery

DOHA 29 December 2024 — The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the State of Qatar, in partnership with the Doha Chapter of the Knights of Rizal and Las Damas de Rizal, marked the 128th anniversary of the martyrdom of national hero Dr. José P. Rizal in solemn rites held at the Embassy Chancery on 27 December 2024.

The event bore the theme, “Rizal sa Bagong Pilipinas: Buhay at Aral, Aming Nilalandas” (Rizal in the New Philippines: Life and Teachings, as Our Guide).

In her keynote address, Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Her Excellency Lillibeth V. Pono, underscored the continuing relevance of Rizal’s life and works more than a century since his passing.

“Today, we are united by a sense of patriotism as we gather to recall the enduring legacy of Dr. José P. Rizal,” she said. “His life and works resonate deeply, particularly among us who live or work abroad. For Rizal himself was an intrepid traveler whose love of adventure and exploration of new cultures only served to ignite his passion and dedication to fight for the freedom of his homeland.”

She added, “Like Rizal, modern-day overseas Filipinos maintain a profound connection to their roots, seizing opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and extending meaningful acts of solidarity to their kababayan in need.”

The program featured performances by the award-winning musical group Maharlikans Vocal Ensemble Philippines and Doha-based NAMCYA prize winner for violin Willie Munar.

Similarly, select high school students from Philippine School Doha (PSD) and Philippine International School - Qatar (PIS-Q) delivered an oral interpretation of the Rizal classic “Mi Último Adios" in both Spanish and Filipino.

The event also marked the inauguration of the new Embassy Chancery. Embassy officials welcomed over a hundred members of the Filipino community who were given a tour of the premises.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.

PH Ambassador Hosts ‘Kamustahan’ with Filipino Students from Georgetown Qatar

DOHA 27 December 2024 — Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Her Excellency Lillibeth V. Pono, hosted a "kamustahan" or dialogue with 11 Filipino students studying at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) on 22 December 2024 at the Embassy chancery.

The dialogue provided the Embassy an opportunity to engage with the students on matters relating to their experience studying in Qatar, as well as apprise them of the Embassy's activities, including the pillars of Philippine foreign policy.

"I am pleased to be hosting all of you in what will hopefully be the beginning of a continuing series of dialogues with Filipino nationals studying in higher learning institutions in Qatar," Ambassador Pono said.

She added that the dialogue falls within the Embassy’s Filipinas Ultramar framework.

“This event is intended to forge collaborations, strengthen support, and empower the Filipino diaspora in Qatar to become active partners of the Embassy and the Philippine Government in attaining our national objectives,” she said.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.