H.E. PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO ARRIVED IN BANGKOK ON 22 JANUARY 2008

H.E. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo arrived at the Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday, 22 January 2008, for a brief stopover en route to Davos, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum. The President and the First Gentleman were warmly welcomed at the airport by Philippine Embassy personnel, led by Ambassador and Mrs. Antonio V. Rodriguez, and high-ranking Thai government officials led by Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand and Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul.

During her brief stay at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, President Arroyo and Minister Piyasvasti discussed various issues of mutual concern, particularly energy cooperation. The President also took the opportunity to express the Philippines’ deep sympathies to the Royal Family and the people of Thailand over the demise of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

The President’s delegation included Cabinet members, such as Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, leaders of Congress, such as Senate Foreign Relations Chairperson Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Deputy House Speaker Ma. Amelita Villarosa, and senior government officials, including Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo.

From Davos, the President and her delegation will head for Dubai to further enhance trade, investments and other commercial relations of the Philippines with countries in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, as well as launch investment tools for overseas Filipino workers in the region.

Christmas Message of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

"I am optimistic and hopeful as the year ends and a New Year begins. This Christmas holiday season finds the Philippines stable, strong and peaceful. Our economy is strong, the stock market booming and investments pouring in.

And when so many people all over the world are coming together with family, I want to recognize the 8 million Filipinos who work abroad, many of whom cannot make it home for the holiday. I wish to tell them how much they are missed by their friends and family here at home. And I also want to thank the many host countries for taking care of our hardworking and dedicated Philippine workers.

And finally, I call on every nation to join hands around the world and pray for peace and help the poor. There is no greater calling than to live in peace and free from fear of hunger and want.

Happy Holidays to one and all and as we say in the Philippines, Mabuhay!"

Rizal Day: Philippine Embassy personnel hold a simple ceremony at the Embassy grounds on 30 December 2007 to mark the 111th anniversary of the martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. For inspiring his fellow countrymen to eventually break free of the shackles of Spanish domination, Dr. Rizal was executed by a firing squad on orders of Spanish authorities in 1896. Ambassador and Madame Rodriguez lead a flag-raising ceremony at the rites.

24th SEA Games: Ambassador Rodriguez (2nd from left) meets with former Representative Jose S. Conjuangco, Jr. (3rd from left), President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and other Philippine sports officials during the opening ceremony marking the start of the 24th Southeast Asian Games held in the province of Nakorn Ratchasima (some 300 km northeast of Bangkok) on 5 December 2007. The ceremony was presided by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Philippines placed second in the over all medal tally capturing 228 medals (41 gold, 91 silver, and 96 bronze medals) in this biennial sports competition.

Secretary Romulo stops in Bangkok: Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo (right) and Ambassador Rodriguez discuss vital issues at the VIP Room of Suvarnabhumi Airport during the Secretary's brief stop over in the Thai capital Bangkok on 28 November 2007. Secretary Romulo, accompanied by Madame Rosie Lovely T. Romulo and other Department of Foreign Affairs officials, arrived from Manila en route to Madrid to join the delegation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was on a State Visit to Spain.

Filipinos in Thailand celebrate Christmas: Members of the Filipino community in Thailand, spearheaded by the United Filipinos in Thailand (UFT), organized a day-long Christmas party at the Embassy grounds on 9 December 2007. The day was replete with caroling, gift-giving, breathtaking stunts, surprises and magic by Mighty Torrent Show, and a delightful mix of dance and music by one of the best Filipino music band groups in town. The celebration, which started at 10:00 AM with a Catholic mass and ended after 1 AM of the following day, attracted an estimated 1,500 Filipinos living in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. It was the fifth Christmas party held at the Embassy grounds since 2003. Apart from generating camaraderie among the various Filipino groups in the country, the occasion provided an opportunity for Filipinos to be reminded of the festive atmosphere of the Filipino Pasko.

15th ASEAN Nite: Ambassador and Madame Rodriguez (4th and 5th from right) join other top ASEAN diplomats in Thailand during the opening of the 15th ASEAN Nite held at the Marriott Hotel in Bangkok on 3 November 2007. Hundreds of guests and high ranking Thai officials attended this glittering occasion.

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