Philippine Embassy in Lisbon Pays Tribute to Filipino Seafarers in NCCA´s Photo Contest

Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal Photo Contest: " KAPIT SA GILID "

06 February 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon reported that pictures of Filipino seafarers taken by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. won First Place in the recently concluded NCCA Photo Essay Contest for Overseas Filipinos in celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos last December 2012.

The formal announcement of winners was made by NCCA Chairman Felipe M. De Leon last 18 December 2012 at the SSS Auditorium during the National Forum on Migration. The winning photos and the other qualified entries were exhibited from 18 December 2012 to 4 January 2013 at the SSS, POEA and the OWWA.

Mr. Villanueva´s 4 entries captured the NCCA´s theme of "A Day in the Life of an Overseas Filipino" and included very unique photos of seafarers displaying the Filipino´s excellence, ingenuity, patience and hard work as they perform daily their challenging and sometimes risky duties onboard ships. Through his photos, Mr. Villanueva intended to highlight the sacrifices and contribution of Filipino seafarers who comprise more than a fourth of the total number of seafarers in world.

They were taken during the Embassy´s Akyat-Barko campaign for the OAV registration last year where Post´s OAV Team headed by Mr. Villanueva, was able to visit more than 50 ships and registered close to 6,000 Filipino seafarers to be able to vote in the coming May 2013 National Elections.

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe J. Lhuillier lauded the achievement of Mr. Villanueva and considers it as recognition of the DFA´s contribution in raising awareness of the Filipino Diaspora through public diplomacy. 

Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal Photo Contest: " PINOY INIHAW "

Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal Photo Contest: " SHOELACE  "

Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal Photo Contest: " SI KUYA AT SI LOLA  "

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North Borneo Standoff Malaysia vs Sultanate of Sulu: Philippines Send 5 naval ships

A Philippine Navy ship patrols the Sulu Sea near the port of Sulu province southern Philippines/EPA

"Going there with arms is not the way to resolve this. When you brandish arms naturally the other side has only one way to respond to such a challenge,'' Philippines president Benigno Aquino reportedly said in his first public comment on the incident. He urged the gunmen to give up peacefully.

Lahad Datu Standoff: Philippines naval ships in Tawi-Tawi waters to help stabilise situation

LAHAD DATU: Six Philippines naval ships have been deployed to the seas of Sulu and Tawi Tawi to prevent possible spill over from the standoff between Malaysian forces and the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan's gunmen.

The ships are only conducting patrols within the waters of Tawi Tawi islands, less than half-hour speed boat ride from the seaside village of Tandau where the Sulu group has been holed up since Feb 9.

Philippines navy spokesman Lt Comm Gregory Fabic was quoted as telling the media in Manila that the naval vessels would not dock in Sabah waters but were there to help make the situation stable.

He stated that there were also no instructions given for the evacuation of the Sulu group led Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, the brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

``We are hoping that this will be resolved peacefully. If they are retreating, we are not there to help them because we need instructions if they can be picked up,'' Fabic was quoted as saying.

``If there are conflicts, we cannot help them. We will (only go there) if it is resolved peacefully and are given instructions to repatriate them,'' Fabic added.

The Sulu group of about 100 have insisted on staying put in Tanduo although a Friday deadline for them to be deported is looming.

The Malaysian security forces, who have thrown a tight land and sea cordon around the group, are reportedly in a position to deport the group anytime but are holding back pending efforts to resolve the standoff through negotiations without bloodshed.

Meanwhile, Philippines president Benigno Aquino reportedly said in Manila that the Sulu gunmen, who claimed that North Borneo was part of the Sulu Sultanate, should give up peacefully.

``Going there with arms is not the way to resolve this. When you brandish arms naturally the other side has only one way to respond to such a challenge,'' Aquino was quoted as saying in his first public comment on the incident.

Aquino also stated that his government had been talking to all parties, including the Sultan's family, to find a peaceful solution.

Philippines Foreign secretary Albert del Rosario stated in a separate statement that Aquino had ordered his government authorities ``to do everything'' possible to try and urge them to peacefully withdraw and to do this as quickly as possible.  (http://bit.ly/139brbN )

The Star Online

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