European Union in the Philippines

⚓ Strengthening the future of the Philippine maritime sector through strategic partnership, long-term reforms, and multi-sector innovation.

EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro met with MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan to discuss how the European Union and the Philippines can deepen cooperation in support of a more competitive, sustainable, and future-ready maritime sector.
Building on the EU-funded SCOPE Seafarers Project, the discussion focused on MARINA’s evolving role as a driver of sector-wide transformation—strengthening governance, supporting digitalisation, advancing workforce development, and helping shape the long-term vision for the maritime industry.

The European Union welcomes MARINA’s efforts to develop a comprehensive Maritime Master Plan that can provide strategic direction for reforms, create greater certainty for investors, and support the sector’s contribution to economic growth, connectivity, and employment.

As a trusted partner of the Philippines, the EU stands ready to continue supporting governance reforms, skills development, and stronger cooperation with industry and stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the maritime sector.

A strong maritime sector benefits not only Filipino seafarers and businesses but also strengthens connectivity and economic ties between the Philippines, the European Union, and its Member States.

We are officially down to the second-to-last day of Cine Europa at Shangri-La Plaza! 🎬 The festival is wrapping up soon, but we still have plenty of incredible stories left to share with you at Cinema 3.

Here is today's lineup:
🕒 12:30 PM – Nasty (Romania) | PG
A captivating documentary exploring the life, wild career, and lasting legacy of Ilie Năstase, tennis’s original 1970s rebel and first world number one. 🎾🇷🇴
🕒 3:00 PM – Andy Warhol: American Dream (Slovakia) | PG
A fascinating look into the life of the legendary pop art icon, tracing his groundbreaking career and his proud, deep-rooted Slovak heritage. 🎨🇸🇰
🕒 8:30 PM – Heads or Tails (Belgium) | R-16
A gripping drama that follows the interconnected lives of separate individuals over a single night, forcing them to confront fate, secrets, and unexpected choices. 🎭🇧🇪

You know the drill! 🎟️ Admission is absolutely FREE. Just claim your complimentary film stubs at the ticket booth before heading up to the theater.

A friendly reminder that seats are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early. Don't miss out on these screenings! 👇✨

We are on to our last week at Shangri-La Plaza! 🎬 Have you caught all the films screened so far?

We still have 10 incredible films left to share with you, so be sure to block out your calendars! We will only be at Shangri-La Plaza until Wednesday, June 3, and we can’t wait for you to see what we have lined up for this final stretch.

👇 Check out the full screening schedule below! 👇

🎟️ Admission: FREE!
📍 Ticket Booth: 6th Floor, Shangri-La Plaza 🎥 Cinema: 3

Don't miss out before we pack up and head to our next destination!

Hello, June! 👋✨ We are kicking off the new month in the best way possible—with a packed day of incredible cinema!

We are already on Day 5 of the festival, and the energy has been amazing. If you haven't joined us yet, today is the perfect day to start. We’ve got three absolutely stellar films lined up for you today at Cinema 3!

Pop these into your schedule:

🕒 3:00 PM – Peacock (Austria) | R-13
A sharp, biting satirical comedy about a man who works for a "rent-a-friend" agency but struggles to figure out who he really is when he's alone. 🦚

🕒 5:30 PM – How Can I Live Without You (Hungary) | PG
A box-office smash hit romantic comedy that uncovers a woman's passionate, secret summer romance at Lake Balaton in the 1990s. 🎸☀️

🕒 8:00 PM – The Dance Club (Sweden) | R-13
A dark comedy about an eccentric student who starts a secret, radical club to help people confront those who have caused them pain. 💃🕶️

🎟️ The best part? Admission is absolutely FREE!

Drop by the ticket booth to claim your complimentary film stubs before heading up to the theater.

Seats are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to arrive early. Let’s make this first day of June unforgettable! 🎬🍿

🗓 Can you believe it's June 1st already tomorrow?! 🤯

A new month means a brand-new lineup of incredible stories! Tomorrow, our cinematic passport takes us to Austria, Hungary, and Sweden.

Whether you need a perfect post-work wind-down or want to dive into some world-class storytelling, we’ve got your Monday night plans sorted in Cinema 3! 🎬✨

🎟 Reminder: Admission is FREE. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to get to Cinema 3 early!

Which country's film are you most excited to explore tomorrow? Drop your pick below! 👇

Looking for the ultimate Sunday afternoon escape? We’re waiting for you! 👋🍿

Day 4 of our special screenings at Shangri-La Plaza is underway. If you’re already in the mall—or looking for a reason to head over — Cinema 3 has three incredible international stories lined up just for you. 🗺🎬

👇 Today's Schedule:

12:30 PM – Hidden People: A chaotic, heartwarming puzzle of a movie about an odd pair handcuffed together in Slovenia. 🧩

5:30 PM – Summer is Crazy: A beautiful, emotional dive into family dynamics and love during Finland's midsummer week. ☀

8:10 PM – A Simple Soldier: A deeply poignant, critically acclaimed look at the human cost of violence and the strength of the human spirit. 🕊

🎟 Admission is 100% FREE just claim your ticket stubs at the ticket booth. Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to get to Cinema 3 early!

☕ Nothing beats a slow Sunday... except a FREE Sunday movie marathon! 🍿🍿

If you're looking for the perfect weekend activity, join us tomorrow at Shangri-La Plaza as we showcase three brilliant, distinct perspectives from Slovenia, Finland, and Ukraine. 🎬

Bring your friends, grab some popcorn, and travel the world from the comfort of Cinema 3. 🗺🎥

🎟 Reminder: Admission is FREE on a first-come, first-served basis. Show up early to secure
your spots before they fill up!

Which country's film are you most excited to explore tomorrow? Drop your pick in the comments
below! 👇

🎬 Day 3 at Shangri-La Plaza! 🍿

The cinematic journey continues! We have another incredible lineup of stories today, featuring everything from a thrilling summer camp adventure to award-winning international dramas. 🌍✨

Here is today's schedule:

🇪🇸 12:30 PM – Campamento Garra de Oso (Spain) | Rated PG Get ready for a fun comedy-adventure directed by Silvia Quer! Meet two 9-year-olds—the adventurous Maia and the timid Jan—as they race against time to save their summer camp from an eccentric builder. 🏕️🎒

🇨🇾 3:00 PM – Maricel (Cyprus) | Rated PG Directed by Elias Demetriou, this deeply resonant film follows a Filipino domestic worker who is called to take care of an elderly couple in a scenic Cypriot mountain village. 🏔️❤️

🇩🇪 5:50 PM – Afire (Germany) | Rated PG Don't miss director Christian Petzold's acclaimed latest masterpiece—winner of the prestigious Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival 2023. 🏆🔥

🎟️ Reminder: Admission is FREE on a first-come, first-served basis! Arrive early to secure your seats in Cinema 3. See you there! 🙌

🇪🇺🇵🇭 Strengthening the future of the Philippine maritime sector.

Today, the EU Delegation to the Philippines hosted the MARINA Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC), bringing together representatives from government, industry, academia, and maritime stakeholders to discuss key priorities for the sector.

The exchange highlighted the importance of governance reform, workforce development, digital transformation, maritime safety, and sustainability in enhancing the competitiveness of the Philippine maritime industry and supporting Filipino seafarers.

The discussion also reflected the European Union’s continued partnership with MARINA through the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) Seafarers Project. Under , the EU supports long-term institutional strengthening, maritime education, and trusted international partnerships that contribute to a safer, greener, and more resilient maritime sector.