By Marilie Bomediano
The Filipino Community of Sydney gathered last 14 December , 2024 at the Philippine Consulate General for a Town Hall meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Antonio A. Morales. Ambassador Morales replaces Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega who left prior to his arrival.
H.E. Antonio Morales, Ambassador to Australia (Photo credit: Marilie Bomediano)
Ambassador Morales arrived in Australia on 1 December 2024 and presented his credentials to Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, on 4 December 2024.
Morales is a seasoned Philippine Foreign Service Officer with over three decades of experience having been assigned in San Francisco, Kula Lampur, Milan, Rome, Ankara and Beijing and HongKong. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Australia, he served as Undersecretary for Administration at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines since 2021 and held key positions in bilateral and multilateral affairs, consular services, and human resources management.
He holds degrees in Economics and Law from the University of the Philippines and advanced studies in International Relations from the Escuela Diplomatica in Madrid, Spain, Multilateral Diplomacy at the Graduate School of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. He also completed International Law studies at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
In addition, Ambassador Morales is a member of the local legislative council (Sangguniang Bayan) of Mulanay, Quezon, and is a Congressional Fellow of the House of Representatives. His wife, is Ms. Shirlene C. Mananquil, who currently serves as the Philippine Consul General in Istanbul, Türkey.
Consul General Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil did the honours of introducing the Ambassador to the Filipino-Australian (FILCOM) community in New South Wales to include representatives from regional areas such as Dubbo, Lismore, Bathurst and Lithgow. as well as to the Filipino media representatives and some local government officials.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Morales thanked the Filipino-Australian community in New South Wales for their warm welcome and highlighted the vital role and contribution of the Filipino community in Australia and in helping enhance Philippines-Australia relations.
During the meeting, Consul General Aian A. Caringal of the Philippine Embassy, Canberra took the opportunity to present the Philippines-Australia bilateral relations focusing on the Strategic Partnership of the Philippines and Australia, as well as the programs and services of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. Consul Sheila Marie C. Tario, based in Sydney, talked about the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney’s economic diplomacy thrust and assistance to nationals (ATN) services for distressed Filipinos in New South Wales, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna. Vice Consul Frances Louisa C. Cleofas shared information on the Consulate General’s cultural and public diplomatic activities, and consular services.
Members of the various Filipino community organizations in New South then took turns to briefly introduce themselves and their organizations to the Ambassador and for the much awaited photo opportunity. .
28 Dec 2024
