09 September 2014 - As part of its vigorous efforts to reach out to the Filipino community in Timor-Leste, the Philippine Embassy in Dili held an informal dialogue with the officers and members of the United Cordillerans and Ilocanos (UCI) in Timor-Leste on August 31.

In her brief remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Maria Aileen H. Bugarin conveyed the Embassy’s commitment to maintain open lines of communication with UCI and other Filipino groupings in Timor-Leste.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Maurice A. Tiempo updated the group on the consular and assistance-to-national services of the Embassy. He ended his presentation by reminding the members of their moral and civic duty to respect the laws of both the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

Embassy officials also addressed the consular concerns of the group.

At the end of the dialogue, UCI members acknowledged the critical role of the Filipino community in further enhancing the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the Filipino and Timorese people.

The event ended with the usual Filipino salo-salo.

UCI is an organization composed of Filipinos in Timor-Leste who are either of Ilocano or Cordilleran lineages. Its current president is Mr. Charles Michael Papay who is the Course Director of Maharlika International School, a Philippine School Overseas.END