Diplomacy with a mic

Hungary and the Philippines are friends. Not just polite, nod-in-the-hallway acquaintances, but actual “let’s sign labor agreements, exchange culture and maybe even sing karaoke together” friends.

This was the energy at the Philippine-Hungary Friendship Week 2025, where government officials, industry leaders and everyday people came together for two days of talking, eating, celebrating and making sure Filipinos in Hungary are thriving.

Because overseas Filipino workers are people with real lives in a country that, for all its charm, is really, really far away from home.

About 13,000 Filipinos are out in Hungary, making Hungarian industries run smoothly.

They’re in automotive manufacturing, logistics, hospitality and agriculture.

At the DMW office in Mandaluyong, Hungarian Ambassador Titanilla Tóth and DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac took the stage alongside officials from PASEI and the Association for Central European Employment.

Hungary introduced people to Teqball, a fascinating mix of football and ping-pong.

Meanwhile, Filipino artisans from Paete reminded everyone that, yes, we’ve been carving intricate, breathtaking wood sculptures since before some countries even existed.

Because no Filipino gathering is complete without some level of competition, the night ended with a Kumustahan Series featuring mind games, a trivia showdown and a karaoke challenge.

The MoU signing between ACE and PASEI — an actual, official, no-nonsense agreement that makes sure Filipino workers in Hungary get treated fairly, legally and with dignity.

The Philippines and Hungary have been diplomatic buddies since 1973, but lately, things have been moving fast.

In 2020, both countries started taking economic cooperation seriously and now, with all these OFWs in Hungary, they’re putting their money where their mouth is.