DFA Undersecretary for Administration Morales Inaugurates New PH Chancery in Bahrain
Hon. Antonio A. Morales, Undersecretary for Administration, DFA, unveils the Philippine Embassy marker at the new Chancery in Manama, Bahrain, together H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Ali Bahzad (3rd from right), Undersecretary for Consular and Administrative Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain. Also in the photo, from left to right, are H.E. Piyapak Sricharoen, Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Shazryll Zahiran, Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. Anne Jalando-on Louis, Ambassador-designate of the Philippines, H.E. Ardi Hermawan, Ambassador of Indonesia, and H.E. Nazirah HJ Zaini, Charge d’ Affaires of Brunei Darussalam. (Manama PE photo)
MANAMA 27 March 2023 — Hon. Antonio A. Morales, Undersecretary for Administration of the Department of Foreign Affairs, led the unveiling of the Philippine Embassy marker and official inauguration of the new Philippine Chancery in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on 19 March 2023.
The event was attended by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials led by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Ali Bahzad, Undersecretary for Consular and Administrative Affairs, the ASEAN Heads of Mission in Bahrain, officials from the Ministry of Interior and the Capital Governorate, members of the Filipino community and representatives from the private sector.
A video presentation on the history of the Philippine Diplomatic Mission in Bahrain covering the period 1992, when the Philippine Embassy was first established in Bahrain, to the present was shown during the program that followed the unveiling ceremony.
Ambassador-designate Anne Jalando-on Louis welcomed Undersecretary Morales and guests to the new Philippine Chancery and thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs for its support and assistance that enabled the Embassy to transfer to its new location that offers a bigger space for the Embassy’s clients and operations.
Undersecretary Morales noted that the Embassy's transfer to its new Chancery means better delivery of services and even more efficient implementation of Post’s various programs and activities. He also noted that the inauguration of the new PHL Chancery will further cement the cooperation, partnership and excellent relations between the Philippines and Bahrain, especially in light of the commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of PHL-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations this year.
Prior to the unveiling of the marker and the official inauguration of the PHL Chancery, Undersecretary Morales also inaugurated the Mother and Baby Room located at the Consular Section of the Embassy. The diaper changing and lactation room is a joint GAD project of the Embassy with Filipino organizations Pinay Ikaw Na!, Phenomena Productions and Good Cause Bahrain. The room provides clients with the needed privacy, comfort and convenience, while they are availing of services within the Embassy’s premises. The inauguration of the Mother and Baby Room coincides with the Embassy’s celebration of National Women’s Month and signifies the care and attention given by the Embassy to its women and children clients.
Undersecretary Morales also inaugurated the new Sentro Rizal Manama in the Embassy’s premises on the same day.
The new Sentro Rizal Manama is housed in a 2-storey villa within the compound of the new PHL Chancery. The ground floor contains the Embassy’s Rizaliana collection and a meeting hall, “Bulwagang Rizal”. Also featured on the ground floor are paintings and photographs of Rizal, his life and works, as well as poems contributed by the Knights of Rizal-Bahrain Chapter, Filipino Creatives Bahrain and Filipino Writer’s Club. On display at the first floor is a collection of paintings, photographs, and poems by the members of the Filipino Creatives Bahrain and Filipino Writer’s Club.
The collection of artworks and publications at Sentro Rizal Manama showcases the PHL’s rich history, culture and arts, as well as the talent and skills of Filipinos in Bahrain.
Undersecretary Morales noted the strong support and cooperation extended by the Knights of Rizal – Bahrain Chapter, the Filipino Creatives Bahrain, and the Filipino Writers Club in augmenting the Sentro Rizal Manama. He also said that the Department of Foreign Affairs values the contributions of the Filipino community to the Embassy’s delivery of services, to the promotion of awareness and understanding of Philippine history and culture, and to instilling the spirit of patriotism and national pride in every Filipino in Bahrain.
The Embassy’s new Sentro Rizal Manama is one of 36 established Sentro Rizal sites worldwide. END
Left photo: One of the four villas comprising the new PHL Chancery in Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain. Right photo: Hon. Antonio A. Morales (3rd from right), Undersecretary for Administration, DFA, and H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Ali Bahzad (3rd from left), Undersecretary for Consular and Administrative Affairs, MOFA, the ASEAN Heads of Mission, and other guests during the program at the inauguration of the new PHL Chancery on 19 March 2023.
Philippine Ambassador-designate Anne Jalando-on Louis (3rd from right) and DFA Undersecretary for Administration Antonio A. Morales (3rd from left) cut the ribbon to officially open the new Sentro Rizal Manama on 19 March 2023. Also in photo are representatives from the Knights of Rizal – Bahrain Chapter led by its Chapter Commander Emmanuel Morales (2nd from left), Filipino Creatives Bahrain led by its President Jie Refugio (2nd from right), and Filipino Writers’ Club led by its President Cecil Ancheta (3rd row, leftmost). (Manama PE photo)
Undersecretary Morales and Ambassador-designate Louis with the members of the Knights of Rizal – Bahrain Chapter (left photo) and Filipino Creatives Bahrain (right photo) at the inauguration of the new Sentro Rizal Manama. (Manama PE photo)
Top photo: Undersecretary Morales delivers his message during the inauguration of Sentro Rizal Manama. Bottom photo: Undersecretary Morales, Ambassador-designate Louis, and guests view the paintings, sculptures, and literary works at the Sentro Rizal Manama. (Manama PE photo)
Left photo: Undersecretary Morales and Ambassador-designate Louis cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Mother and Baby Room at the Embassy’s Consular Section. Behind them are Ms. Dinah Sta Ana (2nd row, center), President of Pinay Ikaw Na!, and members Ms. Victoria Dumrique (leftmost) and Ms. Edz Bondoc (rightmost).
For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain or https://www.instagram.com/phlinbahrain/.