THE MALAYSIAN TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME (MTCP) ALUMNI GET-TOGETHER, H.E. AMBASSADOR OFFICIAL RESIDENCE, MANILA, SATURDAY, 12 JULY 2008

As part of the sustained efforts to strengthen the existing relationship and cooperation between the former participants of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in the Republic of the Philippines, the Embassy of Malaysia had organised a get-together for the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Alumni at H.E. Ambassador Official Residence in Dasmarinas Village, Makati on Saturday, 12 July 2008.

Group photo with H.E. Amb. Dato' Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi and MTCP Alumni members in front of "Rumah Malaysia"

The event started off with a welcome remarks from H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi. In his welcome remarks, H.E. Ambassador thanked the MTCP Alumni for attending the event despite the event being held on a weekend. He also expressed his appreciation for the good works through various community-orientated activities done by the members of the MTCP Scholars of the Philippines Incorporated (MTCP-SAPI) led by their resourceful President Ms. Eva Olmedillo. He informed that the Embassy has taken efforts to get funding from the Government of Malaysia for the activities organised by the MTCP-SAPI. H.E. Dato’ Ambassador also commented on the fact that Malaysia and the Philippines have enjoyed a close relation that stemmed through mutual interests and strong people-to-people relationship. Since its establishment in 1980, the MTCP has managed to foster greater cooperation between the governmental agencies of the two countries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) with Philippine’s government agencies such as DFA, NEDA and TESDA. As of July 2008, approximately 822 Filipinos had benefited from the various MTCP programmes.   

                                       MTCP Alumni members busy registering themselves

                    H.E. Amb. Dato' Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi welcoming the MTCP Alumni to the 2008 Get-together

Ms. Eva Olmedillo, President of the MTCP Alumni in her reply remarks thanked H.E. Ambassador for organising the 2008 MTCP Alumni get-together. She highlighted on the latest activities held by the MTCP-SAPI where they had successfully collect donation for a local Filipino orphanage. She also announced that the MTCP-SAPI will be organising a Livelihood Training programme for impoverished Muslim community. The organisation is planning to organise the said training programme sometime in September 2008.  She expressed her hope that despite the lack of funds, the MTCP-SAPI will be able to execute more beneficial programmes for the communities in the future. She also invited MTCP-SAPI members to come forward and share their ideas for future programmes under the organisation’s flagship.  

After the speeches, the guests were treated with authentic Malaysian cuisines such as nasi lemak, curry mee, fried noodles, roti canai, beef curry, rendang ayam, barbecued chickens, sambal udang, mixed vegetables, assorted traditional Malaysian cakes such as curry puffs, popiah,  agar-agar, and drinks such as mango, orange, pineapple juices, coffee, tea and “teh tarik”.

                              The MTCP Alumni members happily choosing authentic mouth-watering Malaysian

                                                     delicacies which are difficult to find in Manila

                             "Makan"  time. enjoying the delicious Malaysian cuisines

                                     H.E. Ambassador with the MTCP Alumni members