GOVPH

FILIPINOS IN INDIA CHANNEL CREATIVITY THROUGH MANDALA WORKSHOP FOR NATIONAL ARTS MONTH

New Delhi – The Philippines’ observance of National Arts Month (NAM) saw a serene culmination as Filipino expatriates dove into the centuries-old spiritual and ritual art form of Mandalas via an Embassy-sponsored workshop. 

"Spirals of Serenity: A Mandala Art Workshop" featured Bangalore-based Filipino Mandala artist Michelle Ramos Soliman, who took up the artform after moving to India. Her intricate Mandala works have since gained popularity, getting featured even over Philippine news network ABS-CBN. 

“Mandala”, derived from the Sanskrit word for circle, orb and the like, has for over two thousand years become an important element of Buddhist art. Characterized by intricate designs interwoven into circles and other geometric shapes and patterns, it is widely regarded as a meditative art form.

The workshop provided participants an introduction to the history, symbolism and therapeutic effects of Mandala art. Soliman guided attendees through a hands-on session that saw each participant paint their own Mandalas on the spot and experience the mindfulness attendant to the experience.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio underscored the importance of art in fostering bonds within the Filipino community in India. Citing Mandala art’s spiritual anchor, the Ambassador invited participants to use the art to reflect as well on the psychology and worldview of Filipinos that connects the inner self with one’s shared identity with others, the larger community and nature.

“For us Filipinos in India, our most important circle is our community of kababayans, and our connection as Filipinos with our Indian families and in this country as your second home. Let us foster harmony at every turn and opportunity”, said the Ambassador.

The Filipino and Embassy participants, many trying their hand at the art form for the first time, came up with exquisite and pleasing designs and patterns. 

At the workshop’s conclusion, certificates were presented to attendees, and a token of appreciation was awarded to Ms. Soliman for her mentorship. The participants thereafter enjoyed a hearty lunch of Filipino dishes.

Established in 1991 under Presidential Proclamation 683, NAM seeks to honor the transformative power of the arts and to recognize Filipino artists.

It is marked in the Philippines every February to encourage creativity, self-expression, cultural appreciation and social cohesion. This year’s NAM theme “Ani ng Sining: Diwa at Damdamin” (Harvest of the Arts: Soul and Passion), emphasizing expressions of creativity that exemplify the spirit and passion of the Filipino nation. END

PHILIPPINES VIES FOR OUTBOUND INDIAN TOURIST MARKET WITH TRAVEL FAIR STINT AND ROADSHOW

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI – The Philippines is raring to welcome an ever-rising number of Indians to its shores, as its recent tourism promotion pitch across India received an overwhelming response from travel industry stakeholders, buyers and prospective travelers alike.

Led by Director Ramon Julian De Veyra, Jr.  of the Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), the Philippine team took part in this year’s edition of the Mumbai-based Outbound Travel Mart (OTM 2025) from 30 January until 01 February, before embarking on a four-city roadshow.

Regarded as one of India’s largest tourism-related expos, OTM distinguishes itself with its focus on outbound tourism, a factor that makes it attractive to countries such as the Philippines. OTM 2025 featured 2,100-plus exhibitors, including the tourism promotion bodies of over 80 countries and 30 Indian states and union territories. Attendance was estimated at over 40,000 qualified travel industry buyers.

For this year’s OTM, the Philippines’ promotion revolved its vaunted “Sun and Beach” attractions, a major enticement for many Indian travelers. The 110-square-meter Philippine booth was abuzz with activity as TPB officials and Philippine airport representatives and travel industry players attended to inquiries and partnership proposals, and racked up sales leads.

Following the OTM, the TPB-led delegation undertook a promotion roadshow that began in Mumbai (February 3) and later took them to New Delhi (February 4), Chennai (February 6) and Bengaluru (February 7).

Lending full support were the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and its network of Honorary Consulates General across India. 

Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio, with Economic Officer Melissa Anne M. Telan and Attaché Rachelle C. Yumo, graced the New Delhi-leg of the Roadshow at the Suurya Hotel, which saw a healthy attendance of Indian buyers.

“The stars have aligned and conditions are ripe for a new era of Philippines-India collaboration and growth in mutual tourism”, declared the Ambassador as he addressed the gathering.

He briefed the audience on streamlined visa access through the Philippine e-Visa and the imminent revival of direct flights between the two countries, to the cheers of attendees.

The Mumbai leg was attended by Philippine Honorary Consulate (Mumbai) represented by Consul Retnasamy Swaminathan and Vice Consul Subramainan Krishnamoorthy, while the Chennai and Bengaluru stops were supported by the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Chennai represented by Consul B. Narendran.

The Embassy and the TPB agreed to work towards sustaining and further intensifying the Philippines’ tourism promotion activities for the Indian market. END

Boost in West Bengal’s Business Linkages with the Philippines Pitched at Calcutta Chamber Session

18 February 2025

KOLKATA — Businesses from India's economically vibrant West Bengal state are eager to explore growth opportunities from enhanced interactions with the Philippines.

Such high level of interest was palpable at the “Special Session on Promoting India-Philippines Partnership” hosted by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce (CCC) on February 6 at The Park Hotel in Kolkata for a visiting Philippine Embassy team.

Led by Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio, the delegation included Third Sec. Atty. Melissa Anne M. Telan, Commercial Counsellor Eugenio D. Elevado, Jr., Attaché Rina Isabel P. de Chavez, and Attaché Bernard O. Cabal.

They were joined by Philippine representatives in Kolkata in the person of Consul General a.h. Deepak Kumar Khemka and Vice Consul a.h. Gaurav Khemka.

Before a CCC audience of corporate officials from around 30 enterprises, the Ambassador and Embassy resource persons delivered comprehensive presentations on the Philippines’ robust economic track record and fundamentals, attractive array of incentives, and sectors of opportunity and potential gain for Indian players.

Commercial Counsellor Elevado identified trade in agricultural commodities, fish processing, infrastructure, electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, IT, semiconductors, and nickel value chain among the areas of substantial promise. 

Economic Officer Telan followed up with presentations on the Philippine agricultural sector, highlighting market opportunities for Indian produce, industrial investments and technology. She then segued into openings for ventures in the Philippine tourism landscape and hospitality sector, with the potential for gains heightened by the imminent restoration of direct air connectivity, the Philippines’ introduction of the electronic visa for Indians, and the anticipated boost in two-way tourist traffic.

Consul General Khemka, himself a businessman, encouraged his colleagues in the business world to actively take advantage of the Philippines’ many strengths as they seek overseas growth markets.

A lively open forum concluded the proceedings, during which the Philippine team fielded questions from the participating enterprises.

The event was graced by no less than CCC President Hari Shankar Halwasiya and past President Mr. Mahesh Kumar Saharia, both of whom welcomed the Philippine Team’s engagement of Chamber members and expressed support for heightened trade and investment between the state and the Philippines. Also present were CCC Vice Presidents Anant Saharia, Annurag Jhunjhunwala and Purushottam Agrawal.

“We have entered a period and window of optimum opportunity for businesses on both sides to expand into each other’s markets”, Ambassador Ignacio proudly announced at the event, as he enticed West Bengal companies to turn to the Philippines for growth.

The Ambassador and his delegation were in Kolkata for the 8^th Bengal Global Business Summit on 5-6 February, in which the Philippines participated for the first time ever as a Country Partner.

Founded in 1830, Calcutta Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Commerce and Industry Association not only in India and reputedly in Asia. END