News
29th July 2024
44th Vanuatu independence day
44th Independence Day Celebrations at Independence Park, Port Vila, 30 July 2024. Photo credit: MSG secretariat on X
On behalf of the people and Government of the Republic of the Philippines, I extend my best regards and felicitations to the Vanuatu Government and the ni-Vanuatu people on the 44th anniversary of Vanuatu's independence.
For over 30 years our bilateral relationship has set a precedent for friendly and beneficial relations. I look forward to enhancing cooperation between our countries and increasing our joint efforts to address the unique vulnerabilities experienced by island states in the Pacific region.
Please accept my best wishes for a bright future and further progress of the people of Vanuatu and the assurances of my highest consideration.
Consul General of the Philippines to Vanuatu
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30th July 2024
Filippino Christmas Basketball Cup underway
The Filippino community in Port Vila has come together once again for their annual Christmas Basket Tournament, which runs until end of the year.
Six teams will be competition for exciting prizes for the next six months, with awards to be presented by the Philippine Consulate.
The Philippine Consul General to Vanuatu, Bong Serrano, launched the tournament in the presence of the members of the Vanuatu Pinoy Basketball Association, team managers, sponsors, players and supports last Sunday.
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19th July 2024
US embassy opening
U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Asuncion during the opening remarks. Photo credit: U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Winslow Blow/Released
On 18 July 2024, the Philippine Consul General was invited as part of the diplomatic corps stationed in Vanuatu to the official opening ceremony of the United States embassy in Port Vila. While the United States established diplomatic relations with the Government of Vanuatu already in 1986, the opening of the US embassy further marked the growth of the US-Vanuatu relationship and the importance of the Indo-Pacific region in US foreign relations.
The Republic of the Philippines was represented at the opening of the US embassy by the Consul General of the Philippines who congratulated Miss Ann Marie Yastishock, the nonresident Ambassador accredited to Vanuatu who leads the US diplomatic mission based in Port Vila.
On this occasion, the Philippine Consul General met with Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock from the diplomatic corps in Vanuatu. He also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Asuncion, the Senior U.S. Official in Vanuatu who gave his opening remarks on that day. The Consul General congratulated the Ambassador and her staff on the opening of the US embassy in Vanuatu and said that he is looking forward to a close diplomatic engagement between both missions.
19th June 2024
Filipinos celebrate 126th independence anniversary
Filipinos in Port Vila have united to celebrate their 126th independence anniversary last week, an opportunity to strengthen their heritage and bond. Traditional clothing, dancing and food as part of cultural pride were part of the celebration commemorated at the Warwick Le Lagon Resort. The former Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition, Ishmael Kalsakau, and his spouse, and the Vanuatu Consul General to the Philippines, James Armitage, joined them in their independence celebration. In his official address, Philippine Consul to Vanuatu, Bong Serrano reminded the Filipinos to reflect on their history and the great heroes who have given their dedication and sacrifices for the birth of their independent nation. read more
06th May 2024
Vanuatu celebrates top ranking in Happy Planet Index
Vanuatu is proud to announce its achievement of ranking #1 out of over 150 countries worldwide on the Happy Planet Index (HPI), for the second time since the index was first published in 2006. read more
06th May 2024
Bonding with 3 basketball teams and celebrating Dr Koch Acosta's birthday from the US Peace Corps
27th Apr 2024
The Honorary Consul General of the Philippines on ANZAC Day in Port Vila, Vanuatu
At dawn on Anzac Day, 25 April 2024, Australians, New Zealanders, and members of the international community, including Honorary Consul General Bong Serrano representing the Philippines in Vanuatu, gathered at the Port Vila Cenotaph to honour the sacrifice, courage and mateship of the original ANZACs. read more
27th Apr 2024
Honorary Consul General Bong Serrano (back row, middle) with Pinoy basketball “Team Violet”
The Filipino basketball tournament is a year-round tradition for the Filipino community in Port Vila, At Easter Day, the Honorary Consul General bonded with with “Team violet” during an afternoon with prayers and food.
27th Apr 2024
The Honorary Consul General of the Philippines welcomes former members of the Filipino community of Vanuatu
On 24 April 2024, the Honorary Consul General, Bong Serrano, and his wife, Marylin Serrano, welcomed former members of the Filipino community of Vanuatu. read more
20th Feb 2024
Filipinos reunite once more in Independence Basketball Tournament
Filipinos in Port Vila are once more coming together to compete, support and enjoy themselves at their annual Independence Basketball Tournament. read more
10th Dec 2023
Black Brother’s hit ‘Come Back Again’ comes true with the recent visit of Vivian Lucero to Vanuatu
The Philippine community in Vanuatu, currently consisting of 360 Filipinos represented by the Honorary Consul General Bong Serrano, recently welcomed back famous former members of the community, Ms. Vivian Lucero, her husband Mr. Cecilio Lucero and their son Mr. Crocqhenry Lucero. They were accompanied by Ms. Lucero’s brother, Mr. Raffy Sabarre, and their family. read more
5th Dec 2023
Bringing Filipino community together through sports
Members of the Filipino community in Port Vila were brought together in their annual basketball tournament closing last Sunday. Held at the Korman Stadium every year by the Philippine Consul General in Vanuatu Bong Serrano and his wife Marilyn Serrango, the tournament aims to promote unity and sense of belonging among the Filipinos residing in Vanuatu. read more
4th Nov 2023
Philippines explores technical assistance with Vanuatu Officials
First Secretary and Consul General Aian Caringal of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra discussed areas of possible PH technical assistance with Vanuatu’s Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity Nako Natuman and Minister for Education and Training Services Claude Christopher Emelee in separate meetings in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 19 and 20 October 2023, respectively. read more
27th Oct 2023
Philippine Embassy in Canberra Conducted its first Mobile Consular and Assistance to Nationals Mapping Mission in the Republic of Vanuatu
The mission led by Consul General Aian Caringal is the first ever mobile consular mission in Vanuatu. There are an estimated 354 Filipinos in the country. The mission extended services on passport renewal, dual citizenship, visa issuance, civil registry and overseas voting registration. read more
27th Oct 2023
Philippines turns-over financial contribution to Vanuatu's post-disaster recovery efforts
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Vanuatu held a turn-over ceremony in Port Vila, Vanuatu in the morning of 19 October 2023 for the US$ 50,000 contribution of the Philippines to Vanuatu’s national response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of two tropical cyclones, Judy (category 4) and Kevin (category 5) which devastated Vanuatu within a 48-hour period in March 2023. read more
8th Aug 2023
Philippine Honorary Consul General Florentino “Bong” Serrano participated in the 43rd Vanuatu Independence Day Celebration held at Vanuatu Independence Park, Port Vila on 30 July 2023.
Philippine Honorary Consul General Florentino “Bong” Serrano participated in the 43rd Vanuatu Independence Day Celebration held at Vanuatu Independence Park, Port Vila on 30 July 2023. read more
13th Jun 2023
Vanuatu to re-establish bilaterial relations with Philippines
The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jotham Napat, said he plans to travel to the Philippines to re-establish Vanuatu’s bilateral relations with the Philippine Government. read more
7th Nov 2022
Filipino Community in Vanuatu Participates in International Food Festival
The Filipino community in Port Vila, Vanuatu participated in the Annual International Food Festival organized by the International Women’s Group (IWG) held at the Espace Alliance Française in Port Vila on 29 October 2022.read more
08 July 2021
Philippines Participates in the Annual International Food Festival in Vanuatu
The Philippines participated in the Annual International Food Festival organized by the International Women’s Group (IWG) held on 26 June 2021 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. This year, the Philippines and Vanuatu celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations. read more
18 December 2020
PH Honorary Consul Serrano sends off 5 stranded Filipinos in Vanuatu
The Philippine Honorary Consulate-General in Port Vila, led by Honorary Consul-General Florentino L. Serrano (3rd from the left), sent off five stranded Filipinos in Vanuatu for their flight back to the Philippines on 17 December. read more
9th Dec 2020
Department of Foreign Affairs launched Virtual Celebration of Philippine Fiesta
The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines launched on 07 December “Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals.” Fiesta Filipinas is a six-part, multi-format online event series that will run from December 2020 until May 2021. It will simulate the experience of a Philippine festival through a combination of live and pre-recorded videos and live workshops and activities. read more
4th Dec 2020
PH Hon Consul General Serrano in Vanuatu sends-off 11 Filipinos for repatriation
Philippines Honorary Consul General Florentino Serrano in Vanuatu (7th from left) sent off eleven (11) Filipinos stranded in Vanuatu for their flight to the Philippines on 03 December 2020. read more
3rd Nov 2020
Vanuatu Government confers Presidential Award to Philippine Honorary Consul General Florentino Serrano
H.E. Dr. Obed Moses Tallis, President of the Republic of Vanuatu, awarded Mr. Florentino Serrano, Philippine Honorary Consul General to Vanuatu, with the 40th Anniversary Medal on 30 October 2020 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. read more
Aug 8, 2020
Filipino community shares culture
The small community from Philippines in Port Vila has contributed to the 40th independence anniversary celebrations by sharing its culture during the three days Culture Show held at Saralana Park. read more
Jun 13, 2019
Filipino community celebrate 121st Independence Day
Filipinos living and working in Port Vila celebrated their country’s 121st independence anniversary at the Chinese Club last Sunday. Member of Parliament (MP) for Port Vila and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Ralph Regenvanu, his wife Jenny Regenvanu as a Port Vila Municipal Councilor and a few staff from the ministry joined the celebration. read more
