News & Archives

Embassy of the Philippines
Press Release
February 2010

Philippine Embassy Invites Nominations for the
Year 2010 Presidential Awards

The Philippine Embassy is inviting nominations to the Year 2010 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.  The Presidential Awards is a biennial search to recognize exceptional individuals and organizations for their outstanding contribution to Philippine progress and development.  The Awards are also conferred on overseas Filipinos who have shown excellence and distinction in their work or profession.

Migration has become a permanent aspect of Philippine life and Filipinos overseas have become important partners in Philippine economic and social development.  In recognition of the important role of Filipinos overseas, the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas has been instituted through Executive Order No. 498 issued in December 1991.  Since then, it has so far been conferred on 314 overseas-based individuals and organizations.

The Awards will be hosted by the President at the Malacañan in December 2010, in observance of the Month of Overseas Filipinos.

There are four (4) categories of the Awards, namely:

1.   Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Award – conferred on Filipino associations or individuals for their exceptional or significant contribution to reconstruction, progress and development in the Philippines;

2.   Banaag Award – conferred on Filipino associations or individuals for their contributions which have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines, or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities;

3.   Kaanib ng Bayan Award – conferred on foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional or significant contribution to Philippine reconstruction, progress and development, or have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines, or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities;

4.   Pamana ng Pilipino Award – conferred on Filipinos overseas who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

For more information on the rules and guidelines on the filing of nominations, as well as copies of the nomination forms, attached is a copy of the Primer on the Award. Alternatively, you may also visit the official website of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) at www.cfo.gov.ph or the Philippine Embassy, London at www.philembassy-uk.org. 

The deadline for submission of nominations and all supporting documents at the Embassy is on 31 March 2010, to enable the Embassy’s Awards Committee to deliberate and send the nominations to the CFO before its own deadline on 30 May 2010. END

Embassy of the Philippines

London, United Kingdom

OAV ADVISORY

Invitation to Live Chat with Candidates on PoliticalArena.com

For the information of the public, PoliticalArena.com (www.politicalarena.com.ph), a socio-political networking site that promotes voters’ education and interactivity with the domestic political scene in the Philippines, launched its LIVE CHAT on 09 February 2010.

The LIVE CHAT allows voters to ask questions directly to the 2010 National candidates on their platforms of government. 

The website will host LIVE CHATS every Tuesday and Thursday at the following timeslots (Manila Time): 4 pm, 4:45 pm, 7:45 pm, and 8:30 pm. The LIVE CHATS will run until the last week of April 2010 with each episode lasting for 45 minutes.

To participate in the LIVE CHAT, members of the public can register on the website, log- in and type in their questions addressed to candidates who are on-line at that time.

PoliticalArena.com is one of the official information websites of the COMELEC which provides a venue for interaction between candidates and the electorate.

All Filipino nationals and other interested members of the public are encouraged to visit and register with the site.  END

To:              SFA

Rt:              OAVS/OUSOC

Fr:              London PE

Re:              Live Chat with Candidates on PoliticalArena.com

Dt:              22 February 2010

Cn:    ZUK-              -2010

Reur CIR-283-OAVS-2010, please be informed that Post has posted an Advisory on the launch of the Live Chat on PoliticalArena.com on its website and also disseminated the information to Filorgs and Filmedia in areas under its jurisdiction.

For Deforaf’s information and reference.

REYNALDO A. CATAPANG

Chargé d’Affaires,a.i.

Embassy of the Philippines

London, United  Kingdom 

ADVISORY: CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

27-28 MARCH 2010 (COM-3)

The Embassy is pleased to announce the holding of its 3^rd Consular Outreach Mission for 2010 at the following venue:

DATE:                            27-28 MARCH 2010, SATURDAY-SUNDAY

TIME:                            10 AM TO 5 PM (27 MARCH)

                            9 AM TO 11 PM (28 MARCH)

VENUE:              ENNIS ROOM, DINING FLOOR, BELFAST CITY HOSPITAL LISBURN ROAD, BELFAST BT7 7AB

SERVICES OFFERED:

·       MACHINE-READABLE PASSPORT (MRP) APPLICATIONS

·       EMERGENCY GREEN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS

·       PASSPORT VALIDITY PERIOD EXTENSION APPLICATIONS (PASSPORTS CAN ONLY BE EXTENDED FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF 1 YEAR)

·       PASSPORT AMENDMENT (FROM SINGLE TO MARRIED NAME)

·       ONE-WAY TRAVEL DOCUMENT APPLICATIONS

·       REPORTS OF BIRTH, MARRIAGE, DEATH, DIVORCE

·       NOTARIAL & LEGALISATION SERVICES (AFFIDAVITS, SPAs)

·       NBI FORM APPLICATIONS

·       ACCEPTANCE OF PHILIPPINE VISA APPLICATIONS (NOTE: NO ACTUAL VISAS WILL BE ISSUED DURING THE OUTREACH MISSION)

·       PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP RETENTION/RE-ACQUISITION

·       ASSISTANCE-TO-NATIONALS AND LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING PHILIPPINE LAW

·       SSS. PAG-IBIG, AND OWWA MEMBERSHIP/BENEFITS

·       ADVICE ON EMPLOYMENT/LABOR RELATED MATTERS

All those who will avail of the services during the Outreach Mission are advised to check the documentary and other requirements at www.philembassy-uk.org. Applicants may likewise download application forms in advance from the same website.

Those who wish to receive their processed Machine Readable Passports, visas to the Philippines, or other documents by post are advised to submit a self-addressed stamped special delivery envelope with their applications.

Payments for consular services can be made in cash or with postal money orders made out to the Philippine Embassy. Personal cheques are not accepted for payment purposes.

There will be a privately-run on-site photo company which can provide photography services for those who wish to avail of their services. The Embassy Team itself is not involved in the production of any photos for the use of applicants.

The Embassy looks forward to seeing you at the Consular Outreach Mission in Belfast. END

Republic Act No. 9850: An Act declaring Arnis as the national martial art and sport of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines

Philippines. Congress (2007-10). "Republic Act No. 9850: An Act declaring Arnis as the national martial art and sport of the Philippines." Metro Manila: 14th Congress of the Philippines, Third regular session, 2009.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Republic Act No. 9850, approved on 11 December 2009, defines the indigenous Filipino martial art of Arnis and declares it as the "Philippine National Martial Art and Sport." The Act then orders the Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Sports Commission to promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to carry out its provisions.

Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Fourteenth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand nine.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9850

AN ACT DECLARING ARNIS AS THE NATIONAL MARTIAL ART AND SPORT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. It is the policy of the State to inculcate patriotism, nationalism and appreciation of the role of national heroes and symbols in the historical development of the country. Furthermore, the State must give priority to education, science and technology, arts and culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

SEC. 2. Definition of Amis. - Arnis, also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote and other names in various regional languages, such as Pananandata in Tagalog; Pagkalikali, Ibanag; Kabaraon and Kalirongan, Pangasinan; Kaliradman, Bisaya; and Didja, Ilokano, is an indigenous Filipino martial art and sport characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. This is usually done with the use of one (1) or two (2) sticks or any similar implements or with bare hands and feet also used for striking, blocking, locking and grappling, with the use of the same principle as that with the canes.

SEC. 3. Arnis is hereby declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport. The official adoption of arnis as the national martial art and sport shall be promulgated by inscribing the symbol of arnis in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission and by making it as the first sport competition to be played by participating teams on the first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa. The Philippine Sports Commission shall be the lead agency to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. The Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Sports Commission shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. Any provision of law, decree, executive order, rule or regulation in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions and/or purposes of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

PROSPERO C. NOGRALES
Speaker of the House of Representatives

JUAN PONCE ENRILE
President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3288 and House Bill No. 6516 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on October 14, 2009.

FOR:

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives

EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Secretary of the Senate

Approved: DEC 11 2009

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

(Quoted from an article by James U. Sy Jr.)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially signed into law Senate Bill 1424, authored by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, as Republic Act No. 9850 “An Act declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines“ on December 11, 2009.

RA 9850 makes Arnis as a requirement for the Physical Education (PE) course of the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS). The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is the lead agency tasked to implement RA 9850. The PSC will be inscribing the symbol of Arnis, that of the fighting sticks, in its official seal.

It has been taught in schools that Sepak Takraw is the national sport of the Philippines and Dr. Jose P. Rizal is the national hero, alongside the national flower (Sampaguita), national tree (Nara), national bird (Philippine Eagle), etc. However, contrary to popular belief, no law or proclamation had named a national sport or national hero. Sepak Takraw is a Thai-Malay sport which many believe is Filipino.

Previously, there was HB030.64 “Act declaring Sikaran as the National Martial Art of the Philippines” filed by Cong. Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr. of the 2nd District of Rizal with co-authors Cong. Michael John R. Duavit, Cong. Ronaldo V. Puno and Cong. Victor R. Sumulong. It was filed on September 30, 2004 and was read on October 26, 2004.

THE LONG PATH TO RECOGNITION

The passing of RA 9850 is long overdue. The governments of neighboring Asian countries had given their respective martial traditions pioneering recognition and support years way ahead of the Philippines. Judo and Karate-do were successfully implemented in the Japanese school system even before WWII. China has a well oiled Wushu program and sends well trained athletes to spread their Wushu overseas. Korea unified the various kwans “schools (Hangul)” after WWII into what is now the Olympic sport of Taekwondo. The Thai Royalty had always patronized the development of Muay Thai among the Siamese populace.

The seminal efforts to integrate Arnis into the school system can be traced back to the 1970s with proclamations such as DECS Order No. 26, Series of 1975, which mandated concerned parties to engage in liaison with the National Arnis Association of the Philippines (NARAPHIL), then the

newly formed National Governing Body (NGB) for the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), for their Sports Development Program on Arnis. Other orders followed, among them DECS Order No. 58, Series of 1990 and DECS Memo No. 294, Series of 1995.

Senator Orlando “Orly” Mercado filed Senate Bill 280 on July 6, 1992 which required the inclusion of the study of Arnis as a Physical Education (PE) course in the secondary and tertiary level.

Cong. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri of the 3rd District of Bukidnon, with co-authors Cong. Raul V. Del Mar and Cong. Narciso D. Monfort, filed HB026-49 “Act declaring Arnis as the Philippine National Sport” on August 22, 2001. It was read on August 28, 2001 and was later substituted by HB05284. HB05284 was authored by Cong. Zubiri and co-authored by Cong. Lorna C. Silverio, Cong. Cecilia T. Taganas Layus, and Cong. Orlando A. Fua Jr. on October 4, 2004 and was read on October 9, 2004. The bill was approved on the second and third readings on November 18, 2002 and December 17, 2002 respectively. The house vote was 155 for yeas and none for nays and abstain. It was transmitted to the Senate on December 18, 2002.

Senate Bill 1424 is an “Act declaring Arnis as the National Martial Sport of the Philippines” was approved by the House on November 15, 2005, transmitted to on November 23, 2005 and received by the Senate on November 23, 2005.

Friday, 08 January 2010 (from www.gov.ph)

Law declares arnis national martial art and sport

Arnis is the country’s national sport.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9850, which elevates arnis to the top honor in local sports competitions on Dec. 11 last year (2009).

Under the new law, arnis will be the first sports to be played in the Palarong Pambansa this year and every year hence.

The President directed the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to implement the provisions of the law in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

R.A. 9850 will take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Arnis, also known as eskrima, kali, garrote and other names in various regions and provinces in the country, is an indigenous Filipino martial art using one or two sticks.

It is characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. (PND) 

Philippine Embassy

London, United Kingdom 

OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING ADVISORY

All registered overseas absentee voters are informed that the Commission on Elections in the Philippines (COMELEC) has started to mail directly to voters their ballots for the May 2010 National Elections.

All voters who receive their ballots are advised to undertake the following:

1.    Ensure that they accomplish their ballots in accordance with the instructions issued by the COMELEC as stated in the mailed ballot pack

2.    Mail their accomplished ballots to the Embassy of the Philippines in London STARTING 10 APRIL 2010.

3.    Those who are unable to mail their ballots to the Philippine Embassy may drop their ballots in a designated drop box at the Embassy STARTING 10 APRIL 2010, from 9 am to 5 pm. 

4.    Voters who do not receive their ballots by 10 APRIL 2010  are advised to visit the Philippine Embassy website (www.philembassy-uk.org) and/or visit the Consular Section of the Embassy at No. 6 Suffolk St. London SW1Y 4HG to check if their ballots were mailed by COMELEC to the Philippine Embassy. If their ballot pack was sent to the Embassy, they may immediately claim this upon presentation of their Philippine Passport. Registered voters may also call the following numbers to check if their ballots have been sent to the Embassy:

02074511803/02074511826/02074511816/02074511831

5.    ALL BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY BY MAIL OR DROPPED IN THE DESIGNATED DROP BOX AT THE EMBASSY ON OR BEFORE 11 AM OF 10 MAY 2010.  ANY BALLOTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS TIME WILL BE CONSIDERED INVALID BALLOTS PER COMELEC GUIDELINES.

6.    Voters who do not receive any ballots by mail or whose ballot packs were not sent by the COMELEC to the Philippine Embassy are advised to check if their names appear in the Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters on the COMELEC website at www.comelec.gov.ph. END