PH Embassy in Singapore and Facebook Discuss How Gov’t Can Unleash Social Media’s Potential
Ambassador Antonio A. Morales (5th from left, seated behind) pose with some of the Filipino employees of Facebook in Singapore. He is joined by Consul General Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba (2nd from right, seated front), Consul Gonaranao B. Musor (4th from right, seated behind), Vice Consul Laarni Zorayda S. Gandarosa (5th from right, seated behind), and Commercial Counsellor Glenn G. Penaranda (3rd from left, seated behind), as well as Facebook’s Head of Public Policy Southeast Asia Alvin Tan (1st from right, seated front) and Public Policy Outreach Manager Asia Pacific Roy Tan (1st from right, seated behind).
21 April 2017 – “Social media, such as Facebook, has revolutionized the conduct of public diplomacy. This has enabled the foreign service to instantly reach out to the public and be more accessible. Facebook can also be an important partner in harnessing e-commerce among overseas Filipinos interested to become entrepreneurs, as well as for locally-based SMEs,” said Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales during the recent visit of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore to Facebook’s headquarters in Singapore.
The Ambassador and other Embassy officers met with Facebook’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia Mr. Alvin Tan, Public Policy Outreach Manager for Asia-Pacific Mr. Roy Tan, and SMB Business Development Lead for the Philippines Mr. Paolo Cesar Lacuna to discuss possible collaborations.
Facebook shared tips on how the government can maximize social media to amplify its efforts in public diplomacy in order to reach out to more people.
Facebook also shared its initiatives in the Philippines such as digital literacy and online safety, disaster/crisis management, mobile financial services, countering violent extremism and infrastructure investment.
The Ambassador also met with Filipino employees who are working in Facebook’s Singapore office. There are around 20 Filipino employees in Facebook who are involved in Facebook’s business development, information technology, legal, marketing, media and entertainment fields. END