From left to right: Philippine Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, New Zealand Ambassador Clare Kelly and Swiss Ambassador Didier Chambovey joined forces as they support their respective teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. (photo courtesy of Mr. Cedric Barcena)

Geneva, Switzerland, 25 July 2023- Following the World Trade Organization’s High-Level Dialogue on the Making Trade Score for Women held on 1 May 2023, the Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization kicked-off its Philippine sports diplomacy and women empowerment agenda through the hosting of viewing parties of the Filipinas, the country’s women’s football team, at the Mabini Hall of the Philippine Mission in Geneva.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with Switzerland’s National Football Team during the High-Level Dialogue on the Making Trade Score for Women held on 1 May 2023 at the World Trade Organization. (photo courtesy of Ambassador Manuel Teehankee)

The Filipinas’ Sarina Bolden provided the crucial breakthrough in the first half, which secured the Philippines’ first ever win at the FIFA World Cup against this year’s co-host, New Zealand.  The footballing world spotlighted the Philippines for their defensive acumen, backstopped admirably by Olivia McDaniel in goal, and in maintaining their resolve to pick up the first upset win in the tournament. This was the team’s second match in FIFA 2023, after its hard fought debut against Switzerland, last 21 July 2023 (Friday). The team is set to play against Norway on 30 July 2023 (Sunday), with a chance to qualify for the knockout stages.

Sarina Bolden rejoices after scoring the Philippines’ first ever goal of the World Cup. (photo courtesy of Inquirer.net)

Ambassador Teehankee lauded the Filipinas, who exemplified the ethos of the Global Filipino and who have made significant strides in player development in just a few years.  He stated that “it remains critical for the country to maintain strong links with the Filipino diaspora; we have leveraged the experience and expertise of our Filipina footballers, who are plying their trade across the globe, but who have bonded together and created a highly organized and cohesive team.  We need to continue to tap into our greatest resource - our people, if we are to make similar strides in other fields, such as science, technology, and innovation.”       

(Left to Right) Ambassador Sofia Boza Martinez of Chile, Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, and Philippine Ambassador Manuel Teehankee enjoy Filipino breakfast served during the FIFA Women’s World Cup viewing party at the Philippine Mission in Geneva. (photo courtesy of Mme. April Anne Liong-Resuena and Cedric Barcena)

The event was also an opportunity to promote Filipino breakfast silog, a portmanteau word for the three main ingredients: sinangag (garlic fried rice), itlog (fried eggs) meals paired with longanisa, tocino, and beef tapa. Puto maya (sticky rice cake) with Filipino mangoes and sikwate (hot chocolate drink) were also served for the guests.

Ambassador Manuel Teehankee together with New Zealand Ambassador Clare Kelly (left), Madame Corinne Follmi-Chazaut and Mr. Dominique Follmi of Association de l'Orchestre International de Genève. (photo courtesy of Mme. Ethel Sagun)

The viewing parties were held in partnership with the Permanent Mission of New Zealand to WTO in Geneva, and were attended by delegates to the WTO and United Nations in Geneva.

END