PHL's new envoy in New Zealand a talented designer

The new honorary vice consul to Philippine Consulate General in Auckland (New Zealand) — Johanna Chan — is a talented artist who even designed the consulate's website. Chan was sworn in by Ambassador Virginia Benavidez at the Philippine Embassy in Wellington on September 14. "She has contributed invaluably to the establishment of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General and increased its accessibility to the public by designing the Consulate General's www.philconsul.org.nz website," the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The DFA said Chan earned are a Masters Degree in Arts and Design with Honors (First Class) from the Auckland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Whitecliffe College of Art and Design in Auckland. She also has had exposure in Philippine education, having finished second-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (Major in Advertising) at the College of Holy Spirit in Manila and first-year Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Chan is a director of a design company and has extensive work experience in travel services, web development management as well as teaching positions at the New Zealand Institute of Education and the Auckland University of Technology. Benavidez said Chan's appointment will further enhance the capability and competence of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General, led by Honorary Consul General Emilie Pe-Shi. Auckland is considered the business and financial center of New Zealand and is home to more than 20,000 Filipinos in the business, government, education, health and services sectors. - VVP, GMA News