Berlin, 14 May 2014. The Philippine Embassy recently launched a Commemorative Stamp to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany. Philippine Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, launched the stamp alongside Ms. Birgitt Ory, Director for Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific of the Federal Foreign Office.
In her welcome remarks at the Tagesspiegel’s Lounge, Ambassador Natividad emphasized “the real heart of Philippine-German relations are the people to people connections that have linked us together through the years.” She further noted that recent face to face engagements at the political level, which included the visits last year of Vice President Binay and those of key cabinet secretaries to Germany as well as the visits of Ministers Westerwelle and von der Leyen to the Philippines, have given a human dimension to official relations. In particular, they were an important catalyst in pursuing tangible cooperation in the fields of labor, defense, social security, finance, renewable energy, and development cooperation.
The commemorative stamp also has a practical application in improving the services offered by the Embassy. Even in the digital age, official correspondence remains an integral facet of the work of an Embassy. Ambassador Natividad highlighted that the postal system is vital to the Embassy’s work in processing and transmitting passports, visas, and notarized business documents, which are essential in enhancing the mobility of Filipinos and in stimulating stronger Philippine-German business links.
Mr. Antonio Gorordo, a Filipino digital artist, designed the stamp to emphasize that both countries stand side by side in times of challenges and prosperity. The stamps will be made available for purchase at the consular section of the Philippine Embassy.
The formal launch was followed by a performance of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble. The performance, which included both contemporary and traditional Filipino songs, earned rave reviews from the audience. Dr. Uwe Schmelter, former Director of the Goethe Insitute in Manila and now the Vice President of the German-Korea Society in Berlin, praised the group’s sublime performance, particularly their vibrant interpretation of the Lion King’s “Circle of Life.”
The University of the Philippines Choral Ensemble is the official and resident choral group of University of the Philippines Los Baños. Founded in October 1991 by former members of the UP Rural High School Glee Club, the Choral Ensemble is composed of students, alumni, faculty members, and staff of the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The group received significant acclaim during its recent participation at choral competitions in Montreux, Switzerland and Mosbach, Germany.
The Philippines and Germany established diplomatic relations on 8 October 1954.*END
