PH EMBASSY HOSTS MANA MO 2025 ACTIVITY: DISCOVERING PHILIPPINE MARINE HERITAGE AND BIODIVERSITY

September 19, 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Cairo successfully hosted “MANAMO 2025: Discovering Philippine Marine Heritage and Biodiversity,” a special event to engage with second-generation Filipinos in Egypt and inform them on the richness and importance of the Philippines' marine heritage.

Chargé d’Affaires Crystal Ann S. Dunuan opened the program and led an insightful discussion on Philippine marine resources and biodiversity. Ms. Dunuan introduced the composition of the Philippine archipelago, highlighted critical ecosystems within Philippine waters. She also talked with the children about the importance of protecting the country's marine resources and how they can, in their own ways, contribute to their conservation.

Vice Consul Bryan B. Fernandez then provided a comprehensive overview of the West Philippine Sea, detailing its vital role within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. He linked the topic to the event’s name, “MANA MO,” noting its poignant meaning of “your inheritance” or “your heritage” in Filipino. His discussion covered the legal foundations of the Philippine claim, including the 2016 Hague Arbitral Ruling. He also outlined the concrete actions being taken by the government to assert Philippine rights and protect its territorial waters.

The discussion was followed by an interactive origami activity that brought the theme to life, during which participants learned to fold paper into marine creatures. The session was facilitated by Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Dunuan, along with Ms. Melcah May B. Ofngol and Mr. Jan Adrianne M. Espiritu.

The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to all participants.END