Filipino-Australian community groups in New South Wales welcome His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Morales at the town hall meeting held at the Philippine Consulate General Sydney on the 14th of December 2024. It was attended by over a hundred Filipino-Australian community leaders in New South Wales, local government officials and media representatives.
Honourable Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil gave her welcome remarks. She introduced HE Ambassador Morales, the 16th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines, to the Commonwealth of Australia.
HE Ambassador Morales acknowledged the warm welcome of the Filipino-Australian community leaders in New South Wales and highlighted the integral part and vital role each member plays in enhancing the relationship between the Philippines and Australia. He shared his first two weeks in Australia upon arrival in early December to assume his new post. A ceremonial event was held at the Government House, Canberra after he presented his credentials to Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
During the meeting, Honourable Consul General Aian A. Caringal of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra presented the history of Philippine-Australian relations. Attendees were informed that it was initially acknowledged on the 4th of July 1946 by then-Philippine President Manuel Roxas. He also explained the strategic partnership of the two countries in defence, security cooperation and economic terms as well as the programs and services of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. The attendees were updated with the latest statistical data of Filipinos in Australia. Relatively, the consular services of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney were presented by Consul Sheila Marie C. Tario and Vice Consul Frances Louissa C. Cleofas. Consul Tario discussed the economic diplomacy thrust and assistance-to-nationals services for distressed Filipinos and next of kin of Filipino nationals in New South Wales and French Territories namely, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna. On the other hand, Vice Consul Cleofas presented the cultural and public diplomacy activities and other consular services.
Community leaders and representatives of each Filipino community organisation in New South Wales were allowed to briefly introduce themselves and their respective organisations to the Ambassador. The photo session followed suit.
esAbout His Excellency Antonio Morales
Ambassador Morales is a seasoned Philippine Foreign Service Officer with over three decades of experience. Before his appointment as Ambassador to Australia, he served as Undersecretary for Administration at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines from 2021. His extensive diplomatic career includes serving as Ambassador to Singapore from 2014 to 2017, as Deputy Chief of Mission in Beijing, and as head of the Philippine Consulates General in Milan, Italy, and Hong Kong. He has also represented the Philippines in San Francisco, California, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rome, Italy, and Ankara, Turkey.
In the DFA’s Home Office, Ambassador Morales has held key positions in bilateral and multilateral affairs, consular services, and human resources management. His academic credentials include degrees in Economics and Law from the University of the Philippines. He also pursued advanced studies in International Relations at the Escuela Diplomatica in Madrid, Spain, Multilateral Diplomacy at the Graduate School of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and International Law at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
In addition to his diplomatic career, Ambassador Morales has contributed to public service in the Philippines as a member of the local legislative council (Sangguniang Bayan) of Mulanay, Quezon, and as a Congressional Fellow at the House of Representatives. He is married to Ms. Shirlene C. Mananquil, who currently serves as the Philippine Consul General in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Credit: Philippine Embassy, Canberra)
