Philippine Embassy Athens

05/06/2026

03/06/2026

Philippine Maritime Forum Highlights Investment and Partnership Opportunities


Athens, Greece – The Philippine Embassy in Athens led by Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec, in collaboration with the Hellenic-ASEAN Business Council (HABC) headed by Mr. Nick Stasinopoulos, successfully held the 2nd Philippine Maritime Forum on 29 May 2026 at the Piraeus Marine Club.

With the ambassador were First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada, Ms. Nenita S. Atienza, Deputy Administrator for Planning of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Mr. George Xiradakis, President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, Ms. Katrina Banzon, Commercial Counsellor and Director of Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC-Paris), and Mr. Renato W. Lee III, Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The Forum, building on the success of the inaugural edition, highlighted the developments, reforms, and investment opportunities in the Philippine maritime sector, including in cruise tourism, port development, shipbuilding and ship repair as well as the financing aspects of investments.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Palec highlighted the Philippines’ potential to become a strategic maritime partner of Greece. Beyond being the largest source of highly skilled seafarers for Greece and the global shipping industry, the Philippines offers broad-based and competitive capabilities across the maritime value chain, including shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance, maritime logistics, shipyard development, and maritime education and training. He further highlighted the country’s strategic geographic location and young, highly trainable workforce as key enablers to support the evolving needs of the global maritime industry.

MARINA Deputy Administrator Atienza briefed the forum on the status of the Philippines' maritime industry, highlighting Shipbuilding & Ship Repair, the Domestic Shipping Sector, and the Maritime Human Element. The Philippines is ranked as the fourth-largest shipbuilding nation worldwide, reflecting its growing industrial capacity, competitive position in the global maritime value chain, and increasing role as a strategic partner in international shipbuilding and repair markets. She encouraged the audience to consider the opportunities for partnership in the Philippine maritime sector, especially in Ship Registration, Crew & Manpower, Shipyard Investment and Green Maritime Tech.

Drawing from decades of experience in maritime and finance, Mr. Xiradakis discussed the evolving landscape of shipping finance and emerging strategies for maritime investments. He pointed out that for the Philippines to fully develop its capabilities, the country must learn how to tap the financial markets.

Commercial Counsellor Banzon presented the Philippines’ positive economic outlook and investment opportunities in high-value services, smart and sustainable manufacturing, sustainability-related investments, flagship infrastructure projects, and maritime industries, including shipping, shipbuilding, and ship repair. She emphasized the Philippine government’s incentives and commitment to fostering a robust and investor-friendly business environment.

SBMA Deputy Administrator Lee highlighted the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as a premier destination for foreign and local investments in manufacturing, maritime, logistics, tourism, information and communications technology, and related services. He cited major locators in shipbuilding, ship repair, and port services, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines and Cerberus Capital Management.

HABC Chair Nick Stasinopoulos emphasized ASEAN’s position as a high-growth region driven by favorable demographics, urbanization, and digital transformation, and invited stakeholders to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia through HABC.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion and an open forum. The Forum also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MARINA and HABC, further strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector.

The Forum was attended by around 70 representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, ASEAN countries’ embassies in Athens, shipowners, maritime and corporate registry service providers, ship management companies, and manning agencies that had representative offices in the Philippines. END

02/06/2026

PH Embassy Unfurls Philippine Flags in Celebration of National Flag Days

The Philippine Embassy in Athens commemorates National Flag Days from 28 May to 12 June 2026 through the unfurling and display of Philippine flags at the Embassy premises.

The observance honors the Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite on 28 May 1898, where the Philippine flag was first raised in victory. It also leads to the celebration of Philippine Independence Day on 12 June.

Through this initiative, the Embassy joins Filipinos worldwide in promoting unity, pride, and respect for the Philippine flag. (END)

02/06/2026

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Courtesy: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

28/05/2026

Philippine Ambassador Hosts Dinner Reception for Ballet Philippines Dancers

Philippine Ambassador to Greece, Cyprus and North Macedonia, H.E. Giovanni Palec hosted a reception in honor of the BP dancers at the Nautical Club of Larnaca for their excellent presentations on 10 - 13 May 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus. The reception was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Larnaca, the Philippine Honorary Consuls in Nicosia and Larnaca, prominent guests and officials from the organizers.

In his welcome remarks, Arnb. Palec expressed his delight that the dancers were able to showcase Filipino talent and skill to the Cypriot audiences especially in ballet which is considered one of the highest and most technical, if not the highest and most technical, form of dance. Those present watched a short video message from First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos who congratulated the Ballet Philippines for their performances and accomplishments. The Deputy Mayor said that his municipality always appreciated the contribution of the Filipino community to Larnaca's development and congratulated the BP company for their successful performances which made the cultural scene in Cyprus more vibrant.

The evening was made more glamorous as some of the dancers wore Patis Tesoro creations that exhibited the artistry and creativity of the Philippines in fashion. The guests appreciated the attires worn which ranged from the intricate and sophisticated to the simple yet elegant styles. [END]

28/05/2026

Ballet Philippines Conducts Outreach Mission in Cyprus

Following their successful shows in Limassol, Cyprus on 10 - 13 May 2026 where they performed the "lvatan", "Panaginip" and the popular "Alice in Wonderland", the Ballet Philippines conducted an outreach mission on 14 May 2026 at the Nautical Club in Larnaca, Cyprus which was participated by children mainly from the Filipino community in Cyprus.

The parents and the participants were very pleased to learn about the different ballet poses and terms. The session lasted for about an hour and a half with the children being asked to do the poses or identify the poses at the end of the session. Thereafter, the BP dancers performed a short presentation that was appreciated by the participants and the parents. [END]

28/05/2026

Ballet Philippines Wows Audiences in Cyprus With Performances of the "lvatan", "Panaginip" and "Alice in Wonderland"

The Ballet Philippines, a premiere ballet company of the Philippines, amazed the audiences with their spectacular performances in Limassol, Cyprus on 10, 12 and 13 May 2026. The performance on 10 May 2026 was held at the open air venue of Marios Tokas Municipal Garden Theatre while the performances on 12 and 13 May 2026 were held at the Patthio Theatre.

For the 10 May performance, BP featured a Filipino-themed dance entitled the "lvatan" and "Panaginip" that was gladly watched by a very appreciative audience which had a significant number of Filipinos who waved Philippine flaglets to show their support and admiration for the dancers as they were treated to world-class exhibition of talent and grace. Filcom members said that they were very proud that the BP dancers performed in Cyprus and showed that our talents are up to par with European standards.

The BP presented "Alice in Wonderland" on 12 and 13 May to a more "international" audience who were mainly residents of Limassol. The performances were very well received by the audiences who applauded the technical and graceful ex*****on of the dancers.

Ambassador Giovanni Palec gave his remarks prior to the performance on 12 May 2026 where he acknowledged the efforts of the organizers in bringing BP to Cyprus and also the extraordinary support of no less than the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, without whom the trip to Cyprus would not have been possible. He invited the audience to enjoy the show and witness the world-class Filipino talents that would be exhibited by the BP dancers.

At the end of the amazing performance, Amb. Palec and Consul a.h. Charmagne Laconico, gave a bouquet of flowers to the two dancers who portrayed the main characters, Alice and the Queen of Hearts. The audience loudly applauded and cheered the performers in recognition of their talent, grace and technique. Afterwards, there was a picture-taking session with the dancers along with the children who had watched the show. [END]

25/05/2026

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Courtesy: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

22/05/2026

ASEAN Committee in Athens Turns-over Donation to the Friends of the Child Charity Association

The ASEAN Committee in Athens (ACAT), under the chairship of the Philippines and represented by Ambassador to Greece, H.E. Giovanni E. Palec, officially turned-over on 21 May 2026 a donation in the amount of Five Thousand Six Hundred Euros (€5,600.00) to the Friends of the Child (FOC) charity association represented by its President, Ms. Ioanna Panagiotidou. The donated amount was raised by the Embassies of the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam and the Consulate of Malaysia during the ASEAN Plus Friends Bazaar held on 09-10 May 2026 in Athens.

Joining the handover ceremony were Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan, Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Sathana Kashemsanta Na Ayudhya and Ambassador of Viet Nam, H.E. Pham Thi Thu Huong.

Now in its fourth year, the annual ASEAN Plus Friends Bazaar remains a key initiative of ACAT, in partnership with the FOC, promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the region’s diverse cultures while supporting a charitable cause and strengthening ties with the Athens community. The Bazaar was also participated in by the Embassies of Bangladesh, Japan, Pakistan, and the Republic of Korea, the Consulate of Malaysia, and the Hellenic-ASEAN Business Council.

The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of the ASEAN and other participating countries through traditional culinary delicacies, handicrafts and a series of live performances of traditional music, dance and martial arts.

Proceeds from the ASEAN Plus Friends Bazaar will support FOC’s charitable programs, including its work on improving the welfare of underprivileged children and poor families in Greece. (END)