GOVPH

Outgoing PH Ambassador Pays Farewell Call on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

DOHA 09 January 2025 — Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Her Excellency Lillibeth V. Pono, bid farewell to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi, on 08 January 2025, as her tenure in the State of Qatar comes to an end.

The Minister of State conveyed his thanks to the Philippine envoy for her achievements, particularly in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Qatar.

Ambassador Pono similarly extended her thanks to the Minister of State for the support accorded to the Embassy and the Filipino diaspora.

“I appreciate the productive work we've done together over the past two years, which has benefited both our countries in many ways,” she said. “I trust that the positive momentum achieved during this period will be sustained over the long term."

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

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.