GOVPH

THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN MYANMAR CELEBRATES WORLD MARITIME DAY AND THE 69TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINES–MYANMAR RELATIONS

(Embassy Photo: Yangon PE with the Myanmar alumni scholars and the incumbent presidents of Pilipinas.MM and the Filipino-Myanmar Spouses Association)

YANGON, 25 September 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Myanmar hosted a joint celebration of World Maritime Day 2025 and the 69th anniversary of Philippines–Myanmar diplomatic relations attended by Myanmar alumni scholars and the incumbent presidents of Pilipinas.MM and the Filipino-Myanmar Spouses Association (FMSA). 

In his opening remarks, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Angelito A. Nayan emphasized the dual significance of the occasion. He highlighted the year’s World Maritime Day theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,” as a call to collective responsibility in safeguarding the oceans for present and future generations.

Building on this message, CDA Nayan also emphasized that the strength of Philippines–Myanmar relations lies in the connections between peoples. The Embassy recognized Myanmar scholars who pursued graduate studies in the Philippines through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), acknowledging them as ambassadors of goodwill who continue to strengthen educational and cultural ties between the Philippines and Myanmar. The scholars are from the regions/states of Bago, Mandalay, Rakhine, Sagaing and Shan.

To highlight these enduring bonds, the evening featured the second installment of the Embassy’s mobile photography contest, “Ngiting Pilipinas sa Myanmar” (Smiles of the Philippines in Myanmar), which captured everyday moments and shared cultural experiences connecting Filipino and Myanmar communities. Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations next year, the Embassy announced plans to expand the contest by inviting alumni scholars to share photographs of their experiences and memories that made them smile in the Philippines.

The program also features a keynote video message from International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and a message on maritime conservation by Myanmar alumnus Mr. Aung La Pyae, who completed his Master of Science in Natural Resources Conservation at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The celebration culminated in the symbolic lighting of the Embassy facade in blue to mark World Maritime Day. END

(Embassy Photo: Yangon PE facade lit in blue in celebration of World Maritime Day)

THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN MYANMAR CONDUCTS RETOOLING SESSION FOR LOCAL HIRES

YANGON, 02 September 2025 - The Philippine Embassy in Yangon conducted a Retooling Session for its Local Hires as part of its ongoing efforts to foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment.

The session focused on refreshing core workplace values, strengthening teamwork, and encouraging initiative across the board.

In his opening remarks, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Angelito A. Nayan, expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Embassy’s local staff. He emphasized the importance of adhering to rules and professionalism in achieving shared goals.

Administrative Officer Jerome F. Friaz led the session, highlighting the Embassy’s recognition of its personnel as its most valuable asset and are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and service.

The session included an open exchange of ideas, encouraging both individual and team development. END

THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN MYANMAR PARTNERS WITH ASEAN COORDINATING CENTRE FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT (AHA CENTRE) FOR A KNOWLEDGE-SHARING SESSION

THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN MYANMAR JOINS THE OBSERVANCE OF MARITIME AND ARCHIPELAGIC NATION AWARENESS MONTH (MANAMo 2025)

YANGON, 1 September 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Yangon joined the observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), celebrated every September in recognition of the Philippines’ identity as a maritime and archipelagic nation.

This year’s theme, “Nagkakaisang Kapuluan, Panatag na Karagatan” (“United Archipelago, Secure Seas”), underscores the role of unity in safeguarding the seas that connect and sustain the Filipino people.

The Embassy launched the celebration with a flag-raising ceremony attended by Embassy personnel and Filipino Community leaders. 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., in his message, underscored that the celebration of MANAMO “is a clarion call to rediscover and reclaim our provenance as a seafaring country.” He urged Filipinos that “as we continue building a Bagong Pilipinas, let us unite our people towards caring for our seas and shores, for we care to protect not only our nation's sovereignty but also those who will inherit our legacy.”

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro likewise stressed the Philippines’ active role in global ocean advocacy. She noted that at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference last June, the Philippines pushed for the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (“Life Below Water”), greater ocean literacy, marine environment protection, and respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As she emphasized, “Such is the Philippines’ unstinting advocacy that marine and maritime concerns, particularly the protection of the marine environment, will be a key priority of the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN in 2026.”

In turn, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Angelito Nayan emphasized that “the ocean/seas are not only our lifeline, but also our heritage, our identity, and our future,” and reiterated the core Philippine interest “to protect what is rightfully ours.”

To further promote awareness, the Embassy will carry out various initiatives throughout the month, including the wearing of blue by Embassy personnel every Friday (05, 12, 19, and 26 September 2025) as a symbol of solidarity with MANAMo. The Embassy will also illuminate its façade in blue on 25 September 2025 in commemoration of World Maritime Day, and distribute MANAMo-themed information materials to consular clients.

The Philippine Embassy reaffirms its commitment to fostering greater appreciation of the Philippines’ maritime heritage and collective responsibility to protect and preserve the seas for future generations. END