17 November 2022, Stockholm – The Embassy of the Philippines in Stockholm held “ “Filippinernas Ädla Drycker / Beverages of the Philippines”, a presentations and tastings of Philippine liquor and spirits featuring Don Papa Rum and Archipelago ARC Botanical Gin and Vodka at the Radisson Collection Strand in Stockholm on 11 November 2022.
In his remarks, Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga underscored the Embassy’s goal to promote and impart a taste of the Philippines through some of the Philippines’ best liquor.
Philippine Department of Tourism – London (PDOT) representative Ms. Ysobelle Ortega also took the opportunity to showcase the distinct qualities of Philippine tourism - the hospitality, warmth of its people and the various nature-based activities and destinations. A video presentation featuring popular destinations such as Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, and Manila was also featured.
Anora Brand Manager Mr. Patrik Tapper shared that Don Papa Rum is made from sugar cane grown in and harvested from an active volcano, Mt. Kanlaon, in the province of Negros Occidental. The brand name is a tribute to Dionisio Magbuelas, better known as “Papa Isio”, who led a group of Filipino shamans in driving away the Spanish conquistadores during the Philippine Revolution in 1988.
Mr. Dan Dicander, co-founder of DICA Vin & Sprit, conveyed that the ARC products, which are produced by Philippines’ Full Circle Craft Distillers Co., aims to promote a rare blend of 28 exotic botanical ingredients – 22 of which are native to the Philippines. Notably, a percentage of every bottle of ARC products sold contributes to the conservation of Philippine wildlife.
Mr. Tapper and Mr. Dicander also led guests in tasting their products: Don Papa Rum, Don Papa Sherry Cask, Don Papa Baroko, Don Papa Rye Cask, and Don Papa 10 Year Rum as well as Archipelago Botanical Gin, Archipelago Barrel Reserve, and Archipelago Lava Rock Vodka.
The highlight of the night were the performances of Mr. Dennis Barela Adiuba, a Madrid-based Filipino and a flair bartending champion, who showcased his bartending skills to the delight of the crowd. He also concocted Philippine Mojito, ARC & Tonic, and The Dewy Gimlet for guests.
The event was attended by officials of the Swedish government, members of the diplomatic corps of Sweden, the business sector, and friends of the Philippines based in Stockholm.
Don Papa Rum and Archipelago ARC Gin and Vodka are available at the Systembolaget, a government-owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden. END.
17 November 2022, Stockholm – H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta visited the Tzocolaté exhibit stall at the Bak & Choklad Festivalen (Baking & Chocolate Festival) on 13 November 2022 in Stockholm.
Tzocolaté, a company that produces and also distributes Philippine-made artisan chocolates in Sweden, exhibited several flavors from Theo & Philo, Auro Chocolate, and its very own Tzocolaté Handcrafted Pralines and 100% Pure Cacao Filipino Artisan Tableya.
The crowd were treated with tastings of chocolate bars including wide-ranging flavors from dark chocolate with calamansi, dark chocolate with green mango and sea salt, milk chocolate adobo, milk chocolate turon, to milk chocolate with barako coffee.
Additionally, Tzocolate welcomed guests with its hot chocolate made of 100% pure cacao tableya and its pralines infused with ube and jackfruit fillings.
Tzocolaté, a company that produces and also distributes Philippine-made artisan chocolates in Sweden, exhibited several flavors from Theo & Philo, Auro Chocolate, and its very own Tzocolaté Handcrafted Pralines and 100% Pure Cacao Filipino Artisan Tableya at Bak & Choklad Festivalen in Stockholm.
Tzocolaté was co-founded by Filipina friends Elle Phillips, Jenny Giango Andersson, and Margot Omega with the shared goal to support Filipino cacao farmers and to bring Philippine-made products to Sweden. The exhibit served as a venue for Tzocolaté’s co-founders and team members to share stories about the fine flavor and sustainable origins of Philippine chocolate.
Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta together with Tzocolaté co-founder Elle Phillips engaging exhibit visitors about Filipino artisan chocolates.
Visitors of the Tzocolaté exhibit.
Bak & Cholad Festivalen was organized together with Sthlm Food & Wine at Stockholmsmässan from 11 to 13 November 2022. It is an annual meeting place for everyone who wishes to explore new flavors in food and drink. At the fair, there were food, sweets, chocolate, wine, and other drink tastings. Sweden’s most prominent chefs and food profiles were also on site to lead discussions on products available at the exhibit. END.
Pictured above is Mr. Herbert Nalupa (pictured center), a Filipino national who graduated top of his class in Maritime Education and Training, and was likewise awarded the C.P. Srivastava Award for International Fellowship and the Chancellor’s Medal. Conferring the awards were International Maritime Organization Secretary-General and WMU Chancellor Kitack Lim (right) and WMU President Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (left).
03 November 2022, Stockholm – On 31 October 2022, global maritime leaders of tomorrow graduated from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden. The WMU Class of 2022 consisted of 134 graduates from more than 50 countries, of which 10 were Filipino nationals.
One of them is Mr. Herbert Nalupa, who graduated top of his class in Maritime Education and Training, and was likewise awarded the C.P. Srivastava Award for International Fellowship and the Chancellor’s Medal.
According to Professor Maximo Mejia, Jr., WMU Director for PhD Program and former MARINA Administrator, Mr. Nalupa’s feat of sweeping 3 academic awards is a rarity in the institution’s history. It is likewise an unprecedented honor and distinction for the Philippines. “This is the first time that the Srivastava Award and the Chancellor’s Medal was bestowed on one person”, Prof. Mejia added.
Mr. Nalupa is an experienced Maritime Industry Development Specialist, with a history of working in education, training, assessment and certification of seafarers, from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). With a master’s degree in Maritime Education, he is a graduate of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University in Iloilo City.
The World Maritime University is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. WMU’s mission is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. END.
Pictured above is Mr. Herbert Nalupa (right), recipient of the C.P. Srivastava Award for International Fellowship and the Chancellor’s Medal, together with Prof. Maximo Mejia, Jr., WMU Director for PhD Program and former MARINA Administrator (left).
Deputy Chief of Mission Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga (third from left, bottom row) joins World Maritime University (WMU) President Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (fourth from left, bottom row) and Filipino graduates from the WMU Class of 2022 and the Filipino students of Class 2023.
03 November 2022, Stockholm – Upon the invitation from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga represented the Philippine Embassy at the graduation ceremony of Class 2022 of WMU on 31 October 2022.
In their respective remarks, WMU Chancellor and IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and WMU President Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry underscored the importance of working towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as it relates to the maritime industry. They also both noted the need to develop maritime policies that support climate change objectives. Upon their return to their home countries and agencies, Chancellor Lim called on the graduates to help with the IMO’s policy and goal to significantly reduce emission of greenhouse gases and decarbonize the shipping industry.
The WMU Class of 2022 consisted of 134 graduates of which 10 were Filipino nationals sent by respective agencies and institutions including 5 from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 3 from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and 2 from the Maritime Academy of the Asia and the Pacific (MAAP).
After the graduation ceremonies, DCM Gallaga, together with Atty. Jean Ver Pia, Philippine Maritime Attaché in London, had the opportunity to meet with WMU President Doumbia-Henry, Prof. Maximo Mejia, Jr., WMU Director for PhD Program and former MARINA Administrator, and WMU students from the Philippines from Class 2022 and Class 2023. The meeting created a space for students to introduce themselves and to share their takeaways from their experience and expectations from their respective studies.
The World Maritime University is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. WMU’s mission is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. More than 200 Filipinos have studied at the WMU over the years. They have distinguished themselves in their studies and have placed the Philippines in the world maritime map for their excellence. END.