Enchanted Kingdom celebrates 29 years of timeless magic this October

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Oct 4, 2024 07:26 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• This year’s celebration reflects on how EK stood the test of time and imprinted its legacy among every Filipino family by providing transformational experiences across generations ever since the Park opened its magical gates in 1995.

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Enchanted Kingdom 29th anniversary media launch

Enchanted Kingdom (EK), the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, officially marked the start of the celebration of its 29th anniversary this Sept. 28, Saturday at the Eldar’s Theater.

This year’s celebration reflects on how EK stood the test of time and imprinted its legacy among every Filipino family by providing transformational experiences across generations ever since the Park opened its magical gates in 1995.

“Looking back to almost three decades of Enchanted Kingdom, we truly have cultivated countless magical memories that transcends trends and generations. We are hopeful and excited to continuously be a part of everyone’s story through our timeless offerings for the years to come,” said Nico R. Mamon, EK’s 29th Anniversary Celebration Chairman.

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The launch unveiled the roster of events and offerings EK prepared for everyone in line with its commitment of providing magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

Enchanting events leading to the 29th

On Oct. 6, teachers are in for a magical treat as we give tribute to their timeless contributions to the growth of countless Filipinos through the World Teachers’ Day Magical Celebration. Our beloved teaching professionals will surely enjoy the day filled with activities such as learning seminars, EDU-fun games, entertainment, Zumba session, and raffle prizes.

They will also enjoy two Regular Day Passes for unlimited rides (except gated attractions) for a special price of Php 1,200 valid on Oct. 6. This promo can be booked through the EK Online Store until Oct. 5. 

Timeless magic concert and fireworks show

Gear up this Oct. 19 for the peak of the 29th Anniversary festivities! In partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG) Philippines and Coca-Cola, EK is set to bring you a magical night of musical escape with the Timeless Magic Anniversary Show.

This will feature world-class performances from G-Force, Janine Berdin, and one of the biggest names in OPM, Zack Tabudlo. EK’s homegrown talents — SMS, Victoria’s Way, and the Kingsmen — will also be there to serenade us all.

And to top off this enchanting day, guests will witness a new and enchanting display with the Timeless Magic Fireworks Show. The sky will light up in sync with the 29th Anniversary Theme Song composed and sung by SMS.

EK’s SMS Shines with New Music

EK has honed many world-class talents such as the EK Circle of Artists, and our premier vocal groups Victoria’s Way and the Kingsmen. 

This year, our very own P-pop girl group SMS will shine the brightest as they finally share their music on Spotify! Stream their first single “EK High! (Dance Like Me)” and watch out for the release of their new song “Meant to Shine.”

New Enchanting Ride

Create more timeless memories with your loved ones with the new family thrill ride coming soon. This newest addition to EK’s lineup of attractions will bring fun and excitement to guests with its thrilling ride movement.

Seamless Online EKsperience

Enjoy optimized browsing with the addition of new features on the EK Mobile App. Guests can now receive push notifications to stay informed and engaged with upcoming promotions and on-the-day events. Plus a special access when you’re inside EK: you can now plan your way around the Park by checking estimated queue times for each ride right from the app.

An enhanced EK Online Store will also be launched this October for a seamless booking and shopping experience. New features include an improved calendar selection and an enhanced design featuring our latest merchandise offerings.

Timeless Offerings

Bring home the magic with the newest set of EK merchandise like the Eldar Pop, Twin Princesses Rag Dolls, and the six-piece set EK Christmas Baubles. Shop these and more at our merchandise shops like the immersive tram souvenir shop at the EK Portico.

Scan this to access the SMS Spotify and stream “EK High! (Dance With Me).”

With our newest gated attraction, the Midway Mirror Maze, guests will enter a world of illusions, twists and turns as they navigate the labyrinth of mirrors and lights. Perfect for adventurers, the Midway Mirror Maze attraction promises a fun and challenging experience that will test one’s sense of direction.

Drop by our new Snaptooth Snack Station located at the Midway

Boardwalk and savor more of our refreshing treats, such as chicken wings, sandwiches, fries, and chips. Plus, kiddie sandwiches are also available, especially made for the little ones!

Don’t miss out on our latest partner tenants, Tater’s and Fortune Bakeshop, and try out our food offerings such as the Princess Cookies, Tricolor Eldar Cupcake, Eldar Face Round Cake, and many more.

EK also welcomed two iconic brands into its magical home for an enhanced retail and dining experience. Located at the EK Portico, have a magical time at Starbucks and Cafe Mary Grace, which are open every day even when EK is closed.

More Days of Timeless Festive Magic

Make the most out of the holiday season here at EK!

Start planning your next magical visit as we open the Park five days a week this October. We will also be open every day starting Dec. 15 until the first week of January.

Feel the Filipino festive cheer as EK brings back our giant Parol and Christmas Tree this November. Also, embrace the magical spirit of the holidays with our Christmas shows and Christmastime Parade.

Get the perfect gift ideas for your loved ones as we launch our holiday e-catalog. Also, check out the world-class products made by local artisans at Pugad in AGILA, OTOP in Jungle Outpost, and other upcoming seasonal vendors.

Passengers may see higher NAIA fees as airlines pass costs

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Oct 2, 2024 03:52 PM

  

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Both the airlines and its passengers may bear the brunt of higher fees for the use of properties and facilities of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

On the sidelines of the 2024 Aviation Forum, Bautista said that should there be pass-on fees, “the airlines can absorb part of it, and pass one to the passenger.”

Based on the approved Administrative Order (AO), international flights with a maximum takeoff weight of 50,000 kilograms (kg) will see a higher takeoff and landing fee of $794, while those with a maximum takeoff weight of 100,000 kg and above will expect to pay as much as $1,794.

Meanwhile, domestic flight charges will increase to P15,417 in the first year, while those with a maximum takeoff weight of 100,000 kg and above will pay P34,617.

Charges will also increase every five years until the 20th year of NAIA’s private operations.

Likewise, the special handling fee will rise to P220,000 at the start of privatization and will be adjusted every five years until it reaches P351,384 in the 20th year.

The Passenger Service Charge will also be increased to P950 from P550 for international passengers and P390 for domestic travelers from P200. 

Bautista said that higher charges do not seem to dampen tourist arrivals but will help generate more revenues for modernizing the long-ailing airport.

“There are countries that are collecting higher than the new rates. And I think the reason for this is for us to be able to generate revenue, especially the concessionaire—for them to be able to finance the infrastructure requirements to modernize the airport,” he said.

“There's so much things to see, experience in the country. And for a small amount of increase in the cost, I think it will not affect the tourist arrival,” he added. “Passengers won't mind paying a little bit more than what they are paying now if you have a very good airport experience.”

Bautista emphasized that the last time NAIA revised its fees was some 24 years ago.

When asked whether a gradual increase has been considered, Bautista said that the department remains open to dialogues with relevant stakeholders in case it needed to be discussed.

“The AO is part of the concession agreement. But, as I mentioned earlier, we can review it,” he said.

Laguindingan O&M set for private turnover soon

Meanwhile, the DOTr is set to sign the concession agreement with Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. for the O&M of Laguindingan airport within the month.

“Yes, we are planning to sign the concession agreement for the Laguindingan airport within the month. And [perhaps] it will take us four to six months before we will be able to officially turn it over,” he said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital bagged the O&M and expansion of the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental for P12.75 billion after failing to receive challenging offers.

According to the PPP Center, the contract for the Laguindingan Airport will run for a period of 35 years.

The airport will have a capacity of 1.6 million passengers a year, which will increase to 3.9 million by the end of the first phase and to 6.1 million by the end of the second phase. (Angelica Ballesteros)

33 candidates vie for Miss Asia Pacific International 2024 in Manila

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Oct 2, 2024 07:52 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• During the presentation, the media present unanimously voted to give the "Darling of the Press" award to New Zealand's Katharina Weischede.

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Darling of the Press Miss New Zealand (center) is flanked by runners-up Miss Philippines and Miss Sweden (Images by Annalyn Jusay)

After a long, five-year hiatus, Miss Asia Pacific International returns to the world stage with no less than Manila, Philippines, as the venue for all its activities, including the Grand Coronation Night, which will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Sunday, Oct. 7.

On Oct. 1, 33 lovely candidates representing their respective countries were presented to the media at Lanson Place Mall of Asia, where they sashayed in eye-catching swimsuits designed by Sony Boy Mindo and stylish shoes from MariQueen PH.

The Press Presentation marked the first official public appearance of the international beauties who embody the prestigious pageant's advocacy of "Beauty In Diversity" and this year's theme of #CelebrateEveryHue.

"This year, we are honored to showcase an extraordinary group of young women who represent the vibrant diversity of their respective countries. Each contestant comes not only with grace and talent but also with profound commitment to serve their country and to represent their respective cultures. They are here to share their dreams, aspirations, and causes they passionately advocate for," stressed MAPI president and beauty queen Eva Patalinjug-Lim.

"As we embark on this exciting journey, let us remember that Miss Asia Pacific International is more than just a pageant. It is a platform for inspiring positive transformation and fostering understanding among cultures," she added.

During the presentation, the media present unanimously voted to give the "Darling of the Press" award to New Zealand's Katharina Weischede. The Philippines' Blessa Ericha Figueroa was chosen as the first runner-up, while Sweden's Wanja Olsson, another half-Filipina, was chosen as the second runner-up.

The "Darling of the Press," who is half-Filipina, said after her awarding: " I'm not just representing me or my country. I'm representing a dream. And the mission of Miss Asia Pacific International which is one that celebrates beauty and diversity. Because each of us, no matter what we look like, whether we have different views or interests, are all beautiful and that's something that we bring to the table."

MAPI President Atty. Eva Patalinjug-Lim

Official media partners also chose their favorite candidates:

Miss OPMB Worldwide - Miss New Zealand, Katharina Weischede

Miss Missosology - Miss USA, Janelis Leyba

Miss Pageanthology 101 - Miss Peru, Maria Fernanda Colchada Medina

Miss Eventologie - Miss Thailand, Kanyaphatsaphon Rungrueang  

The excitement continues on Oct. 3 with the preliminaries featuring the National Costume, Swimsuit, and Evening Gown competitions. The culmination will be the grand finals, where the new Miss Asia Pacific International 2024 will be crowned, along with four runners-up.

Here is the complete list of candidates:

1. Breanna Mitchell (Australia)
2. Tasin Afrin Diana (Bangladesh)
3.Selena Ali (Belgium)
4.Gabriela de Paiva Padilla (Bolivia)
5. Mya Bao (Canada)
6. Valeria Fernanda Gonzales Loyola (Chile)
7.Luisa Valentina Munoz Ruiz (Colombia)
8. Julie Goye Dogan (France)
9. Jennifer Prokop (Germany)
10. Rosie Minako (Great Britain)
11. Keshia Lee Llarenas (Guam)
12. Mercedes Pair (Hong Kong)
13. Sophiya Singh (India)
14.Dessy Rahelia Siagan (Indonesia)
15. Mohana Tsuda (Japan)
16. Hayoung Cho (Korea)
17. Carol Hor Eau Lye (Malaysia)
18. Karen Sofia Nunez (Mexico)
19. Merel Van Roon (Netherlands)
20. Katharina Weischede (New Zealand)
21. Chizuruoke Sufficient Arua (Nigeria)
22. Maria Fernanda Colchada Medina (Peru
23. Blessa Ericha Figueroa (Philippines)
24. Valeriia Volkova (Russia)
25. Alethea Hui Xuan Yee (Singapore)
26. Wanja Jennifer Grace Olsson (Sweden)
27. Mei-Jou Chen (Taiwan)
28. Kanyaphatsaphon Rungrueang (Thailand)
29. Kayla Tupou (Tonga)
30. Janelis Leyba (USA)
31. Maria Sanchez Paez (Venezuela)
32. Anh Vuong Pham Thi (Vietnam
33. Precious Soko (Zambia)

Shiela Valderrama Martinez: ‘I’m a Disney girl through and through’

Leah C. Salterio - The Philippine Star 

October 2, 2024 | 12:00am

 

Shiela Valderrama Martinez goes solo in the CCP’s ‘Triple Threats’ series, titled ‘Part of My World,’ on Oct. 17. Her concert holds a lot of meaning for her. It was the song she rendered in her very first professional audition. ‘My concert will be a journey of my career, so I’m inviting my audience to see and be a part of my world,’ says she, who is among the pioneer vocalists of Hong Kong Disney shows. ‘I’m a Disney girl through and through. I’ve done a number of Disney Princess roles in the past.’

MANILA, Philippines — Singer-actress Shiela Valderrama Martinez devoted the entire September for the 9 Works Theatrical musical, “Once On This Island.” This month, she will do a tour for “Rama Hari” before her “Triple Threats” concert.

“We closed ‘Once On This Island’ last Sept. 29 at the RCBC Theater and I just have to say that I was thrilled to do this production because the character of Erzulie, whom I played, has always been on my bucket list of roles,” said she.

“Then we leave for the Visayan tour of ‘Rama Hari’ on Oct. 2 for about two weeks. Performances will be in Dumaguete at Silliman University and Bacolod at St. Lasalle University,” added she.

“I’m excited because in this run, I’ll be doing dual roles. I’ll be playing Sita and Kaikeyi. It’s my first time to visit Dumaguete and I’ve always wanted to perform at Silliman University, so I’m looking forward to that. Plus, I’m visiting Bacolod again, my hometown.”

The last quarter of the year is never less busy for Shiela before she ends 2024. 

“I start shooting the Netflix series ‘Buy Bust’ by director Erik Matti,” she offered.

“After my concert, then the other series, ‘Bag Man’ that we just wrapped up filming, will be aired this year, as well. It’s also ‘Ber’ months, so I’m gearing up for the busy event season.”

Shiela was surprised and excited after she was offered to perform for the Cultural Center of the Philippines “Triple Threats” series.

“It’s an honor to be invited and be given this grant by the CCP,” Shiela said. “This was something I hoped someday would do and it happened. Amazing. I’m so grateful to Sir Dennis Marasigan, Sir Ariel Yonzon (of the CCP) and the entire CCP artistic team and board for choosing me and for this wonderful opportunity.” 

“Part of My World,” the title of Shiela’s concert, the second in the CCP’s “Triple Threats” series, holds a lot of meaning for her. It was the song she rendered in her very first professional audition. Shiela will go solo in the “Triple Threats” series on Oct. 17.

“My concert will be a journey of my career, so I’m inviting my audience to see and be a part of my world,” Shiela said. “I’m a Disney girl through and through. I’ve done a number of Disney Princess roles in the past.”

“I was among the pioneer vocalists of Hong Kong Disney shows, and the past two years, I’ve performed at the Disney Orchestra Concerts abroad.”

The last time Shiela did a solo musical concert was at The Ruins in Bacolod, produced by Stages, her talent management outfit. She also did “That Fair Lady” for ONS (One Night Stand), the first show held in their El Pueblo branch.

Shiela’s concert director, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, was her personal choice. “She’s the First Lady of Philippine Theater and one of the first ones to do the CCP ‘Triple Threat’ concert series. In Menchu’s words, she has seen me grow up in the business and witnessed my career,” she shared.

“She’s a role model for us, following in the Leading Lady footsteps, so who better to direct it, right? Not to mention she’s a brilliant director. Very hands on and meticulous. She also gathered a fabulous team to work with us on this concert. So, I know I’m in good hands.”

Menchu and Shiela have done quite a few shows together. All the way from “Secret Garden” in 2001, to “Carrie,” “Godspell” and several events and concerts.

“Menchu has vision that I trust, but she’s very collaborative, which is great,” Shiela said. “I have a ‘yes’ girl mentality when working. I try before I say I can’t do it. Mench constantly reminds me to say what I want or say if I’m not comfortable.”

Working as musical director for “Part of My World” is Rony Fortich, who brainstormed with Shiela to finalize her set list for the concert. Luna Inocian, on the other hand, is the show writer.

Shiela’s set list for her “Triple Threats” concert will be a surprise. She will be performing with an 11-piece orchestra. “Orchestral arrangements will be done by JC Celeste,” offered Shiela. “I will be singing with guests who are my best friends in the industry. My incredible leading men — Arman Ferrer, Floyd Tena and David Ezra — my fellow Leading Ladies Carla Guevara-Laforteza and Yanah Laurel.”

A choir led by Shiela’s good friend John Mojica, her husband Lorenz Martinez and daughter Simone Martinez, will also be part of the show.

Shiela announced she will reprise her role as Fosca in Stephen Sondheim’s “Passion,” with its affecting themes of love, betrayal, manipulation and obsession, in September 2025.

GOSSIP GIRL: Catch up with Janine Desiderio

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Oct 1, 2024 01:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• I was fortunate to break bread with Jenine over a birthday lunch for our friend Evie Berroya. I have always been a fan of Jenine since she got the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.

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Jude, Janella, Jenine and Russel

Suppose you have tinnitus or ringing of the ears, vertigo, or hearing crickets when you wake up and sleep while nobody else hears it. In that case, this is all part of a nasty virus going around, and I am glad to say that it will all go away after a few weeks. 

Sultry singer and actress Jenine Desiderio recently had one but was scheduled to play the celebrity game show Rainbow Rumble hosted by Rumble Master Luis Manzano.

Gossip Girl Giselle Sanchez, Birthday Girl Evie Berroya, and Jenine Desiderio

I was fortunate to break bread with Jenine over a birthday lunch for our friend Evie Berroya. I have always been a fan of Jenine since she got the role of Kim in Miss Saigon. 

Fun fact: did you know that she played Kim 700 times in London’s West End? Thank you, Jenine, for bringing honor to our country. The international singer-actress shared the deets of her experience playing Rainbow Rumble while under the nasty virus. 

“I was struggling during the game. First, the tension to be pitted against my fellow actors of Miss Saigon - Jamie Rivera, Franco Laurel, Isay Alvarez, and Bituin Escalante. To top it all,  half of my senses were not functioning. I could only see through my right eye because my friend Jamie accidentally lent me the wrong eye drops. Instead of a contact lens lubricant, she lent me a sticky antibiotic so my left eye was cloudy. My ears were ringing because of tinnitus; I was dizzy because of vertigo. Luis Manzano even asked me if I was okay because he saw me struggling during the Rally to the Top elimination round. Jamie, Bituin, Isay, Franco, and I  had to battle to outwit each other and answer the questions of the Rumble Master. 

Jenine Desiderio wins Rainbow Rumble Round with half of her senses out of commission due to a virus that gives you vertigo and tinnitus (ringing of the ears)

"The goal is to reach the tri-colored tile first. In spite of all that, I emerged as the lucky rumbler because I reached the top first and proceeded to the jackpot round called Rainbow Reveal. I did not win the 1 million pesos jackpot because that requires a lot of luck already. I must get all six different dice colors in six die roller machines in 60 seconds to win the P1 million.” 

Those who missed her episode in Rainbow Rumbler may watch it on YouTube. Rainbow Rumbler is shown every Saturday, 7:15 p.m., and Sunday, 8:15 p.m. on the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5. 

Of course, my interview would not be complete without asking about Janella Salvador. “We're very okay. I celebrated my birthday with Janella, my apo Jude and my son Russel. Now that Janella is a mother, she understands why rules should be observed in a home. Janella now gets my being over-protective. It is a mother’s instinct. When you are a kid, you will not understand these things, but when you mature as a mother, everything is put in the proper places. I had to go through hell getting bashed by her fans while disciplining her. But what is important for a mother like me is to see my children in a good place …and now she is," Jenine tells Gossip Girl. 

Currently, Jenine is busy doing singing gigs and working with her halo-halo business, MatTeau’s,  located in Greenhills V-mall. Should you wish to order her delicious halo-halo, MatTeau’s halo-halo V-mall Greenhills is available in Food Panda and Grab Food. You can follow her on her Instagram account @j9desire. 

We are vital cooperators of Christ’s mission

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE need to realize this truth about ourselves more deeply and stably. We are meant to be living cooperators of Christ’s continuing mission of human redemption. And this is not only for a few, but actually for all of us. Of course, this truth of our faith can be acted on in stages. We cannot all of a sudden be active cooperators of Christ’s mission. It takes time, effort and, of course, God’s grace for us to achieve this ideal and dignity.

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest,” Christ told his disciples, and is now telling us. (Lk 10,2) Despite the limitations and inadequacies we think we have to carry out this mandate, we should just try our best to respond to it.

We cannot deny that especially these days, there is a great need for these “laborers for the master’s harvest.” Today’s mission lands are not so much those places and people who are far away from the mainstream, those who still are kind of primitive in their culture and deprived even of the basic material necessities, as those who are in developed countries but very far in their faith.

More than far from the faith and from God, many people today look more resistant and even against God and anything that has to do with religion. They are more challenging since the attention and evangelization to be given to them require a more complex strategy.

In a sense, these places and people can constitute as the new peripheries that Pope Francis likes to talk about. And when he said that the Christian missionaries as shepherds should be ready to acquire the smell of the sheep, to be sure it will be a different smell from what we usually expect from poor, underdeveloped places and people. But just the same, it will be the smell of the lost sheep, even if the smell is sweet to the senses.

We therefore have to make some drastic updating of our understanding of what a missionary is. We should not get stuck with the common textbook idea that a missionary is usually a priest or nun who goes to a far-away place, and literally starts a settlement there.

While this concept of a missionary is still valid—it will always be—it now cries to be expanded to reflect its true character, especially given today’s fast-moving and more complicated world. 

We have to understand that everyone, by virtue of his sheer humanity and much more, his Christianity, is called to be a missionary, and that he does not need to go to distant lands because his immediate environment already needs a more effective, down-to-earth evangelization.

Yes, even the ordinary guy in an office, the farmer, the businessman, the politician, the entertainers, artists and athletes, are called to be missionaries. That’s simply because as persons with a prominently social dimension in our life, we have to be responsible for one another.

And the biggest responsibility we can have for the others would be their moral and spiritual welfare, much more than just their economic or social wellbeing, though this latter concern is also very important. It is this responsibility that we have to learn how to be more serious about and more competent in fulfilling. This is the current situation and challenge to all of us.

EU new head of mission to the Philippines

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 30, 2024 04:57 PM

  

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Ambassador Massimo Santoro, the new Head of Mission of the European Union Embassy to the Philippines, presented his credentials to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a ceremony held recently at Malacañang Palace.

Ambassador Santoro, who started his mission as EU Ambassador on Sept. 1, 2024, was previously Head of Division Policy Coordination/Head of Office of the Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

In his message, Ambassador Santoro stated, “Relations between the European Union and the Philippines – of which we commemorate the 60th anniversary – have never been so rich. From peace, security, good governance, to trade, climate and environment, green economy, digital, culture, education, and several other areas, the European Union is increasing its engagement with the Philippines as a key partner in South East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.” 

Ambassador Massimo Santoro with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"The European Union is eager to work for fruitful negotiations of a bilateral free trade agreement in the context of already prosperous relations in the economic, trade, and investment sectors. Our cooperation projects in the fields of climate, energy, environment, digitalization, good governance, peace, and human rights feature high on our partnership agenda,” said Ambassador Santoro.