PHL Embassy Launches the Documentary Film “Operation Brotherhood: Filipino Pioneers in Laos”

Dr. Som Ock Kingsada, Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction and a member of the first batch of Lao doctors under the Operation Brotherhood (OB) program in Laos, presents a bouquet of flowers to Philippine Ambassador to Laos Belinda Ante

15 March 2018 VIENTIANE— The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane hosted the launching ceremony of the documentary film “Operation Brotherhood: Filipino Pioneers in Laos” at the Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane on 7 March. A Mini-Photo Exhibit showcasing the early years of the Operation Brotherhood (OB) program in Laos was also held at the sidelines of the event.

Operation Brotherhood was an overseas assistance program initiated by the Philippine Junior Chamber of Commerce in Laos from 1957 to 1967. During the OB program, a group of Filipino doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers traveled to Laos and provided medical and relief assistance, as well as community development projects, to more than one million Laotians. The documentary film on Operation Brotherhood contains interviews of Filipino and Lao participants and beneficiaries of these medical programs and community livelihood projects.

H.E. Ounethong Khaophanh, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT), Dr. Som Ock Kingsada, Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction, and the Hon. Lourdes Cataquiz, Mayor of the City of San Pedro, Laguna province, Philippines were the guests of honor during the event. Representatives from relevant Lao government agencies, diplomatic corps, and international organizations accredited to Laos, as well as representatives from the San Pedro Portal Key Chapter of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines attended the event.

In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Laos Belinda Ante stated that the film covers only the early years of Operation Brotherhood in Laos, from 1957-1962, when it was a purely Filipino initiative and program. She also mentioned that the program was the first people-to-people interaction between Filipinos and Laotians and laid the foundation for the warm relations between the two countries.

During his speech, Dr. Som Ock narrated his experiences as a member of the first batch of Lao doctors who graduated under the OB medical studies and training programs. He then introduced some of the original members of the Mahosot hospital staff who also trained under the OB program, and proposed that the Philippine government, or the Mekong Circle International (MCI) organization, revive the OB program in Laos and establish a Philippines-Laos Friendship Hospital in Vientiane, which can be managed by these hospital staff members.

Alice Labaydan, Producer of Masterpiece Media Inc., expressed gratitude for the Embassy’s assistance during the research and filming phases of the documentary, and introduced the film to the attendees. The film received positive reviews from the attendees, some of whom were unaware of the existence of the OB program in Laos, the extent of its assistance to Laotians, and the depth of its influence on the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Laos. END

For more information, visit  www.vientianepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippineembassy.vientiane.54?fref=search

Ambassador Ante (center), with Dr. Som Ock (seventh from left), San Pedro City Mayor Lourdes Cataquiz (fourth from right), Junior Chamber International (JCI) – San Pedro Portal Key members, and OB-trained doctors, nurses and technicians