Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega during her courtesy call on the Director General of UNESCO Mme. Irina Bokova on 13 September 2011 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

H. E. Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino during the official Installation of the Nuestra Señora de la Naval de Manila at the crypt of the Basilica of Fourvière in Lyon on 05 December 2010. She is flanked by, from left, Jean-Jacques Rinck, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Lyon, Jean-Dominique Durand, President of Fondation Fourvière, Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, Auxilliary Bishop of Manila, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Vice-Rector Father Loys de Saint Chamas and Monsignor Jean-Marie Jouham, Rector of the Basilica of Fourvière.

H.E Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino addresses devotees during the special celebration in Paris of the 300th anniversary of the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia on 19 September 2010, coinciding with similar celebrations in the Philippines. The event, organized by the Peñafrancia Association Paris Chapter, was held on board the bateau Bel Ami, which cruised on the River Seine, and was in keeping with the characteristic fluvial parades during Our Lady of Peñafrancia commemorations in Naga City, the Bicol region.

H.E. Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino leads the Philippine Embassy officers and personnel at the head of the parade during “Pista sa Paris 2010” on 04 July 2010. The parade kicked off day-long activities of the Filipino community in France of “Pista sa Paris 2010”, in celebration of the 112th anniversary of Philippine Independence. Featuring a host of cultural presentations, sports activities, along with booths which made available Filipino delicacies and other products, “Pista sa Paris 2010” showcased Filipino community spirit through the renowned Philippine fiestas. More photos of “Pista sa Paris 2010” under FILCOM MATTERS.

Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino addresses the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy and members of the Filipino community in Paris following the flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds in commemoration of the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2010. The event kicked-off day-long commemorative activities, which featured musical performances from the Lemhadong Art Collective T’boli performers, Dennis Astorga and Leila Florentino, later in the day.  

On 10 May 2010, Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino briefed the public and members of media on the procedures and other details prior to the counting and canvassing of votes cast by registered OAV voters within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Paris. The counting and canvassing of OAV votes is the culmination of the month-long voting period, from 10 April – 10 May 2010, for Overseas Absentee Voters (OAV) in France, Monaco and Portugal. Seen on the photo are Election Returns sheets that would contain tallies of the votes garnered by candidates vying for the various national elective positions.   

Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino is joined by performers from the Filipino community in Paris during the “Escapade aux Philippines” at Museé du Quai Branly held on 24 January 2010. The Filcom assemble presented cultural performances reenacting the famous Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo. The festival parade and dances were the culmination of two days of activities showcasing Filipino culture and arts during the museum’s focus on the Philippines. Also in the photo is Mr. André Claire of Museé du Quai Branly.   

Photo courtesy of Michael Barles

Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino is flanked by Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega of the Philippine Embassy in Belgium, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, NCCA Executive Director and artist Manuel D. Baldemor during the blessing and inauguration of the mosaic representation of Mr. Baldemor’s “Philippine People Power” at the St. Therese Basilica, Lisieux. Ambassador Tolentino, in her remarks during the October 18, 2009 unveiling ceremony, underscored the significance of the mosaic gracing the St. Therese Basilica as not just a milestone for Mr. Baldemor, but also as a source of great pride for the Filipino people, whose peaceful quest for freedom is artfully depicted and will be an immutable feature of the Basilica.

Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino is joined by Mr. Leo Mojica and Mr. Bernard Pot (left to right), officers of the Knights of Rizal, Dimasalang Ile-de-France Chapter in offering flowers at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal during the 113th commemoration activities on 30 December 2009 at the Philippine Embassy in Paris. The Ambassador also led flower offerings at the Place Jose Rizal, 9th Arrondissement, at noontime of the same day. She was joined by Embassy personnel and members of the Knights of Rizal, Dimasalang Ile-de-France Chapter.