SAN FRANCISCO PCG OBSERVES MANAMo 2023 BY HOLDING FORUM AND FILM SHOWING
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer delivers the welcoming remarks during the forum celebrating MANAMo (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco held a forum and film showing for its personnel on 29 September 2023 at the Sentro Rizal, Philippine Center as part of its celebration of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) 2023. The theme of the MANAMo 2023 celebration, which is “Kapuluan, Kabuluhan, Kaunlaran” or Archipelago, Significance, and Development, underscores the essence of the Philippines’ identity as an archipelagic nation and emphasizes the crucial role that the archipelago and its marine resources play in the country’s journey toward sustainable development.
In his welcoming remarks, Consul General to San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer said that the two-day activities organized for MANAMo 2023 are to promote awareness and understanding of the Philippines as a maritime nation and an archipelagic state, and to generate support for the country’s advocacies for a rules-based international maritime regime.
“The recent news coming from the Philippine Coast Guard of vibrant reefs filled with colorful fishes and seaweed just two years ago turning into a wasteland of crushed corals in the South China Sea, particularly in Rozul Reef, is distressing. It is therefore imperative to continue to promote understanding of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Arbitral Award.” Consul General Ferrer said. “There is a need to counter these actions that harm our maritime ecosystems which negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of our people,” he added.
Two speakers graced the event upon the invitation of the Philippine Consulate General and shared their distinct experiences to further amplify not only the national theme of MANAMo 2023, but also the sub-theme of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is “Setting Sails Towards Sustainability: Ocean Science for Archipelagic Philippines.”
Dr. Deo Florence Onda spoke virtually (via Zoom) about his experience being the first Filipino to reach Emden Deep, the third deepest point on earth located at the Philippine trench at more than 10,000 meters deep, which happened on 23 March 2021. During the expedition, he was with American undersea explorer Victor Vescovo and they were aboard a deep sea vessel called the Limiting Factor. The DSV Limiting Factor submersible was supported by the vessel DSSV Pressure Drop which was manned by many Filipino seafarers.
Dr. Onda offered several lessons from the expedition, saying the undertaking fostered a sense of pride and belongingness to Filipinos by appreciating previously unknown marine heritage and highlighting the importance of science and contributions of scientists. Seeing trash underneath also sheds light on environmental issues such as plastics pollution, per Dr. Onda. In addition, Dr. Onda discussed current developments and challenges in Marine Scientific Research (MSR) in the West Philippine Sea.
Ms. Mary Jane Schramm, a marine life naturalist who also serves as a screening jurist of the International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF), shared the vision and mission of the festival and showcased how films has become a significant medium to increase public awareness of the importance of marine ecosystems since its founding in 2004. She also shared IOFF’s history and educational programs which include global online educational program (streaming free films to grade 6-12 students), International Student Film Competition, International Traveling Program, Year-round Ocean Film Field Trips, and their flagship Annual Ocean Film Festival. Through the facilitation of IOFF, the Consulate personnel also watched Gabriel Malvar’s film “Coral Resilience: The Marine Protected Areas of Taytay”, produced in 2019 and which became a finalist at the 2021 IOFF. END
