PH Embassy in Moscow Honors Filipino Winners of the 2017 ASEAN-Russia Essay Writing Competition

Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (center) and Madame Ma. Consuelo S. Sorreta (third from left) welcome the winners of the 2017 ASEAN-Russia Essay Writing Competition—Norhani I. Lucman (fourth from left), Janine O. Baral (fourth from right), and Ilham Arfakhsadz Putera (fifth from left) – on 26 September 2017 at the Philippine Embassy. Also in the photo are Consul Jeffrey A. Valdez (leftmost), Consul Luningning G. Camoying (second from left) and Vice Consul Catherine F. Alpay (rightmost), and Ms. Valeria Vershinina (2nd from right) representative of the ASEAN Centre in Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University. (C. Lorenzo photo)

MOSCOW 08 October 2018 — Three Filipino students were lauded by the Philippine Embassy in Russia for their success at an essay writing contest highlighting ASEAN-Russia relations.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta hosted a luncheon in honor of the Filipino winners of the 2017 ASEAN-Russia Essay Writing Competition on the topic “ASEAN at 50: Achievements, Challenge, New Opportunities for Cooperation with Russia.”

In his remarks, Ambassador Sorreta conveyed his warm congratulations stressing that “they did our country proud with their achievement.”

Janine Baral and Norhani Lucman bested 15 other contestants from other ASEAN countries.

Ms. Baral is from Bontoc, Mountain Province and graduated this year with a degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde.

Meanwhile, Ms. Lucman is from Imus, Cavite and has Maranao and Maquindanaon roots. She is a graduate of the Philippine Women’s University with a degree in Foreign Service, under the School of International Relations and Diplomacy.  She is the daughter of Department of Foreign Affairs staff Mustapha Lucman.

The contest was co-organized by the ASEAN Centre in Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University and the ASEAN Moscow Committee in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN last year. The trip to Moscow was the two Filipino’s prize for winning the competition.

Also joining them in the lunch were Ilham Arfakhsadz Putera, the third winner from Indonesia, Valeria Vershinina from the ASEAN Centre in MGIMO University, and Embassy officers.


For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/moscowpe, https://www.facebook.com/moscowpeconsular.

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