Call for Papers: SOAS Third Annual Philippine Studies in the UK ​Workshop

The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Third Annual Philippine Studies ​in the UK ​Workshop will take place at SOAS, London on 6-7 July 2017. SOAS invites scholars and PhD students​ in the UK​ to present on-going,​ upcoming and recently completed works on the Philippines and its peoples, including those in the diaspora.

Researchers from the various fields of the social sciences and the humanities are welcome to present work​ that highlight the contributions of Philippine Studies to the advancement of conversations within and across academic disciplines.

The two-day workshop also includes a roundtable discussion on the state of Philippine Studies in the UK plus networking opportunities for research collaboration.

We invite abstracts of no more than 300 words (excluding references). In the spirit of collegial and productive discussion, participants will be asked to pre-circulate their papers for comment.

Key dates:

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 7 April 2017
Notification of acceptance: 14 April 2017
Deadline for draft papers for pre-circulation: 20 June 2017
Submission and contact information: For abstract submissions and enquiries, please contact this year’s Workshop convenor, Dr Cristina Juan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This year’s workshop is organised with the support of the Southeast Asian Department of Languages and Cultures and the SOAS Centre of South East Asian Studies (CSEAS).

Contact Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4893

Click HERE for complete additional information on the said workshop.

Philippine-British community commemorates Rizal martyrdom

London, 3 January - Ambassador Evan P. Garcia attended the commemoration of the 120th Martyrdom of the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, last 30 December 2016 in Kensington, London. The event was organized alongside the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) London chapter.

Ambassador Evan Garcia poses with Knights of Rizal in London

The Knights of Rizal and the Ladies of Rizal organized the event in collaboration with various Filipino community groups and the Philippine Embassy in London. The commemoration was held with the theme “Embracing Rizalian values towards meaningful change.”

Ambassador Garcia joins the Knights of Rizal, Ladies for Rizal and Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Group

In his remarks, Ambassador Garcia commended the Knights of Rizal and the Ladies for Rizal for the inspirational occasion celebrating the life, principles, nationalism and vision of the Philippine National Hero. He also encouraged the groups to continue to invite more members especially from the youth to participate in their community-building activities.

The said groups were established in the British capital in 2006 to honor and uphold the ideals of Rizal. They have been active in organizing events such as, among others, youth workshops and seminars on Rizal, community day trips, and summer camps. END

Philippine tourism highlighted at World Travel Market in London

London, 9 November – The Philippine Embassy in London reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo inaugurated the Philippine Pavilion at the 2016 World Travel Market (WTM) at ExCeL London last 7 November.

DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, joined by Philippine Embassy’s Chargé d'Affaires Gilberto Asuque and a delegation of Filipino lawmakers, opens the Philippine Pavilion at ExCeL London.

Secretary Teo led a delegation that included Senator Maria Lourdes ‘Nancy’ Binay, chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism and Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Tourim, and other Filipino lawmakers who oversee government’s support for the Philippine tourism industry.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) office in London collaborated with 33 Philippine travel agencies, resort and hotel owners, tour operators who participated in the annual travel marketing event in London.

Prior to the opening of the WTM, the Philippine Embassy hosted a Kapihan sa Pasuguan last 6 November where Secretary Teo, Senator Binay and Congresswoman Torres-Gomez presented the government’s programs and initiatives to support the tourism industry as a powerful engine of economic growth for the country. The event was attended by other delegates from Congress, Embassy officials, representatives of the Filipino community and media organizations in the UK. The Philippine officials encouraged UK-based Filipinos to help in promoting Philippines as a tourist destination within their immediate spheres of influence.

Secretary Teo addresses Filipino community in London at the Kapihan sa Pasuguan

Secretary Teo said that the UK remains the biggest source of visitor arrivals for the Philippines in Europe which translates to 117,500 UK arrivals to the Philippine with year-to-date growth rate of 14.5% from Jan to Aug 2016.

The three-day event included the media address of Secretary Teo who was joined by the Philippine Embassy’s Chargé d'Affaires Gilberto Asuque. This media event launched the The Tubbataha: A National Treasure coffee table book published by Marissa Floirendo with photos by Maria Teresa "Tet" Lara. It also included presentations of PDOT's partner organizations such as the Philippine Airlines, Dive Worldwide, Expedia, and Beautiful Destinations.

Ambassador Evan Garcia receives a courtesy call from Senator Lourdes ‘Nancy’ Binay and Congresswoman Lucy Toress-Gomez prior to the opening of WTM.

The Philippine Pavilion at the WTM also featured a fashion show themed ‘Mindanao Tapestry’ highlighting the rich culture and vibrant colors of southern Philippines. Works of the Philippines’ top fashion designers such as Rene Salud were presented at the show.

The WTM is the leading global event for the travel industry that is held annually in London. It is usually attended by over 50,000 senior tourism industry professionals, government officials, and international media representatives. The event, now in its 37th year, generates more than Php150 billion of travel industry contracts annually. The Philippines has participated in this popular tourism exhibition for more than 20 years since its inception. Tourism Attaché Gerry Panga reported that the current delegation has the biggest number of participants from both the government and the private sector in recent years. END