As part of the Philippine Embassy’s public diplomacy initiatives, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez met Ms. Tess McClure, a young journalist from the Press in Christchurch on 12 September 2014. Ms. McClure received an Asia New Zealand Foundation scholarship to undertake a journalism internship at the Philippine Star newspaper in Manila from September until November 2014.

Ms. McClure is a journalism graduate from the University of Canterbury and will be contributing to The Star to gain experience as a journalist in the Philippines and wider exposure to developments in the country and the Asian region.

Since 2007, the Asia New Zealand Foundation has been sending New Zealand journalists to The Philippine Star where opportunities for their career development and training on media reporting and for promoting greater understanding between New Zealand and the Philippines are provided. As one of the eight media internships supported by the Asia New Zealand Foundation every year, the New Zealand journalist’s stint at The Star is considered an excellent pathway for building greater media reporting and news rooms’ linkages on crucial developments about the country, the Asian region and its peoples.

Ambassador Benavidez and Ms. McClure had an informative and insightful discussion on bilateral relations and areas of cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand and the status and situation of Filipinos staying and working in New Zealand and the close collaboration between relevant authorities of both countries for their welfare and well-being. Ambassador Benavidez extended her best wishes to Ms. McClure as she prepared for her trip to the Philippines.