EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PHILIPPINES PRESENTS FIRST STANDALONE PH PAVILION AT THE 2024 GWANGJU BIENNALE


(PHOTOS-Top Left: Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega welcomes Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to the PH Pavilion with Artist-Curator Ms. Avie Felix, and artist Mr. Veejay Villafranca, screeshot from Arirang TV. Top Right: "Locations of Freedom" Philippine banner. Below: Ribbon-cutting at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 ASEAN Pavilion attended by Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Officials from Korean Cultural Centers and Government Offices.)

7 September 2024, Gwangju - The 2024 Gwangju Biennale theme of "Pansori - A Soundscape for the 21st Century" explored the interplay of space, images, and sound which inform social, political, ecological, gender, and power dynamics. Under the Artistic Direction of Nicolas Bourriaud, the latest edition is the largest in the history of the biennale with 31 country pavilions and a main pavilion featuring artists using different artistic media.

The Philippine Pavilion entitled "Locations of Freedom" features the works of renowned Filipino artists Adjani Arumpac, Sari Dalena, Toym Leon Imao, Dennis "Sio" Montreal, Paul Eric Roca, Veejay Villafranca with Karl Castro as designer. Avie Felix, one of the participating artists, likewise served as the pavilion curator.

The Philippine Pavilion is supported by the vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery, Fundacion Sanso, Imao Studios, the University of the Philippines Film Institute, the Philippine Embassy in Korea, and the Gwangju Biennale Foundation.

The Philippine pavilion was among those viewed by Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol a day before the opening of the Biennale on 5 September 2024. The other country pavilions visited by the ROK President included Vietnam and Singapore.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Artist-Curator Avie Felix, and Artist Veejay Villafranca were present to help guide President Yoon through the country pavilion at the Asia Culture Center of Gwangju.

President Yoon was particularly struck by the photo art of Mr. Villafranca, the works of Felix, and the sculptural pieces by Toym Leon Imao which he said were a "moving homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the attainment of freedom" which strikes a familiar chord in Korean history. The Gwangju Biennale will run from 6 September 2024 to 01 December 2024 at the National Asia Culture Center, Gwangju.

The Philippine Pavilion is part of the ASEAN cluster of pavilions on display at the sprawling National Asia Culture Center a mixed exhibition, art, and library, and multi-use space in Gwangju under the management of the ROK Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega and Philippine Embassy Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista and all the participating artists likewise took part in the opening ceremony for the ASEAN-Korea Centre Pavilion and the individual country pavilions of six ASEAN member countries. END

Other News


November 25, 2025
18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul joins the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2025 pursuant to Proclamation No. 1172 s. 2006, under the recurring theme for 2022–2027, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines.”

Read More
November 25, 2025
Philippine Embassy Empowers Filipino Community Leaders in South Korea

08-09 November 2025, Daejeon, Republic of Korea - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul successfully conducted the 3rd Filipino Community Leaders’ Camp on 8–9 November 2025 at the National Center for Forest Education, Daejeon, South Korea. With the theme “Empowering Leaders: Updates, Services, and Security for the Filipino Community in South Korea,” the two-day event brought together 65 Filipino community leaders from across the country to strengthen unity, leadership, and collaboration within the Filipino community.

Read More
November 20, 2025
President Marcos Jr. Meets Filipino Community in South Korea During APEC Summit

30 October 2025, Busan, Republic of Korea- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., joined by First Lady Louise Araneta - Marcos, met with over 270 Filipinos in South Korea during a community gathering held alongside the APEC Summit in Gyeongju. Filipinos from as far as Goyang, Paju, and Jeollanam-do filled the Wyndham Grand Hotel with cheers and chants, setting an atmosphere of warmth that underscored the strong connection between the administration and Filipinos abroad.

Read More