The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
PH AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF GEORGIA
TBILISI 18 March 2024 – H.E. Henry S. Bensurto Jr., Philippine Ambassador to Georgia met with Deputy Minister H.E. George Mirtskhulava, at the Georgian Ministry of Culture (MFA) on 07 March 2025 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Georgia, Henry S. Bensurto Jr., with H.E. Deputy Minister H.E. George Mirtskhulava at the Georgian Ministry of Culture (Photo courtesy of Georgian Ministry of Culture)
Deputy Minister Mirtskhulava warmly welcomed Ambassador Bensurto to Georgia and looks forward to having more active engagement and establishing closer ties, despite long distances between countries. Ambassador Bensurto thanked the Deputy Minister for the hospitality and shared that culture is beginning to become a crucial pillar of foreign policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.
As an outcome of the recently concluded 4th PH-Georgia Political consultations, both sides wanted to deepen and broaden the relations between our countries with respect to culture. A crucial first step towards this is the speedy negotiation and conclusion of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cultural Cooperation between both countries.
Deputy Minister Mirtskhulava shared there is much room for cooperation with four premier art universities that call Georgia home and over eighty (80) organizations that the Philippines could collaborate with in terms of choral music, orchestration, film cinematography, festivals, theater arts, among others.
Ambassador Bensurto added that other potential areas of cooperation include basketball diplomacy, noting the popularity of the Georgian basketball team during the Philippine hosting of FIBA in 2023 as well as collaboration in exchanging wine culture, as wine drinking has become a more popular pastime in the Philippines.
Ambassador Bensurto also shared that he wants to elevate PH-Georgian relations by planning to host its annual Independence Day celebrations in Tbilisi, Georgia during his tenure as Ambassador to Georgia. This includes exploring possibilities to invite world-class Filipino talent to perform in Georgia, as the Ambassador has done in Ankara in the past.
In attendance were Mr. Aleksandre Kekelia, Counsellor of the Division of Central and East Asian Countries of the Asia-Pacific Department, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Mr. Emile Josef Garcia from the Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara,Türkiye.
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. is the 11th Ambassador of the Philippines to Georgia, with residence in Ankara, Türkiye. The Philippines and Georgia have 32 years of diplomatic relations with ties being officially established on 21 September 1992. END.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Georgia, Henry S. Bensurto Jr. leading the Philippine Delegation, in his meeting with H.E. Deputy Minister H.E. George Mirtskhulava at the Georgian Ministry of Culture (Photo courtesy of Georgian Ministry of Culture)
Philippine Ambassador to Georgia, Henry S. Bensurto Jr.,(Center) with Mr. Aleksandre Kekelia, Counsellor of the Division of Central and East Asian Countries of the Asia-Pacific Department (right) , and Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Mr. Emile Josef Garcia (left) (Photo courtesy of Georgian Ministry of Culture)
PH AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA
TBILISI 07 March 2024 – H.E. Henry S. Bensurto Jr., Philippine Ambassador to Georgia, presented his credentials to the President of Georgia, H.E. Mikheil Kavelashvili on 06 March 2025 at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Georgia, Henry S. Bensurto Jr., with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Ambassador Bensurto was joined by his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia. President Kavelashvili was joined by Deputy Foreign Minister George Zurabashvili and Ms. Ketevan Kvinikadze, Head of the Presidential Administration.
Ambassador Bensurto conveyed the warm regards of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to his esteemed counterpart. He shared the enthusiasm of the Filipino people and looks forward to deepening and broadening the relations between the Philippines and Georgia.
After the conclusion of the credential ceremonies, President Kavelashvili delivered a toast to the attending non-resident Ambassadors and their delegations. He understood the importance of presenting credentials in diplomacy and is assured of the professionalism and diligence of all present. He looks forward to developing rapprochement and boosting cooperation with Georgia. He emphasized that although a small country, Georgia is devoted to international law, international rules, and the protection of the rights of everyone. He conveys his cordial regards to the leaders of the respective countries represented during the ceremonies.
Ambassador Bensurto, on behalf of the present Ambassadors, returned the toast, thanking the President for their kind words. He expressed their gratitude for the warm reception and conveyed the friendship each other country holds for Georgia. He offered a toast for the people, President, and government of Georgia and wished for the health and prosperity of all countries present at the credentials ceremony.
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. is the 11th Ambassador of the Philippines to Georgia, with residence in Ankara, Türkiye. The Philippines and Georgia have 32 years of diplomatic relations with ties being officially established on 21 September 1992. END.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Georgia Henry S. Bensurto Jr. presenting his letter of credence to Georgian President Kavelashvili (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Photo: Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili (center, right) with Philippine Ambassador to Georgia Henry S. Bensurto Jr. (center, left), joined by his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto (rightmost) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia (leftmost) (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Photo: The Ceremony of Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. to President Kavelashvili (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Philippine Ambassador to Georgia Henry S. Bensurto Jr. meets Deputy Foreign Minister George Zurabashvili. (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Philippine Ambassador to Georgia Henry S. Bensurto Jr. meets Ms. Ketevan Kvinikadze, Head of the Presidential Administration. (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, spouse of Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., meets Georgian President Kavelashvili (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, spouse of Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., meets Ms. Ketevan Kvinikadze, Head of the Presidential Administration (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, spouse of Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., meets Deputy Foreign Minister George Zurabashvili. (Photo courtesy of Press Office - Administration of President of Georgia)
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Georgia Henry S. Bensurto Jr. delivering a toast to President Kavelashvili (Photo courtesy of Embassy)
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT 16-2024 -REMINDER FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDERS ENTERING TÜRKİYE
The Embassy recognizes that ordinary Philippine passport holders may obtain a 30-day, single-entry e-visa, provided that they have a valid Schengen member or USA, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit as a valid supporting document. Previously used or unused single-entry visas are accepted as long as their validity date covers your entry date to Türkiye. E-visas are not accepted as valid supporting documents.
Turkish passport control officers at ports of entry can verify the e-Visa on their system. However, it is advised to keep the e-Visa with you either as a soft copy (tablet PC, smart phone, etc.) or as a hard copy in case of any failure on their system.
As in the case of other visas, respective Turkish officials at the ports of entry reserve the right to deny entry into Türkiye to a holder of an e-Visa without any explanation. The e-Visa does not provide an absolute right to enter Türkiye.
In light of recent events, the Embassy strongly advises all Philippine passport holders entering Türkiye with Turkish e-visas to bring their original valid Schengen member or USA, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit as a valid supporting document to ensure smooth entry into the country.
For consular matters (Emergency Only), please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +90 530 447 97 43.
CONSULAR ANNOUNCEMENT 3-2025 - CONSULAR MISSION IN ANTLYA AND IZMIR -
