On 21 September 2023, the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, led by H.E. Deena Joy Amatong, hosted a “Kumustahan” for members of the Filipino community in Vientiane, Laos. Leaders from various religious groups, consultants, content creators as well as representatives from the education, hospitality, and private sectors, attended the event.

During the Kumustahan, Ambassador Amatong shared important updates and developments in the Philippines and in the Lao PDR, such as the recent visit to Laos of Secretary for Foreign Affairs H.E. Enrique A. Manalo, the ongoing Overseas Voting registration for the 2025 elections, as well as preparations for Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. Members of the Filipino community were also informed of the different activities of the Embassy in celebration of the “Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo)” in September and the “Museums and Galleries Month” in October. They also had the chance to speak with Embassy personnel on various matters.

In her remarks, Ambassador Amatong thanked all the attendees and asked them to help disseminate to other Filipinos in Laos all the information shared during the event.

As of this writing, there are around 2,000 Filipinos in the Lao PDR, most of whom are in the education sector.