The Philippine Embassy in Berlin

LVP-PR-13-2022 – “Pag-usapan Natin: Family Life in Germany” discusses marriage, divorce and separation under German law

11 September 2022, Berlin — The Philippine Embassy in Berlin, Ban Ying e.V. Coordination and Counselling Center and the Philippine Community in Berlin held a discussion on marriage, divorce and separation under German law. 

Entitled Pag-usapan Natin: Family Life in Germany, the information session seeks to strengthen knowledge among the Filipino community, particularly marriage migrants, on German family law.   Ban Ying e.V. is a coordination and specialist advice center on women’s issues and advocates for the rights of migrant women who have experienced violence, exploitation or human trafficking.

The main speaker, family law expert Atty. Maria Wilken, provided information on the rights and obligations of spouses under German law, entitlements during a divorce or legal separation, and the attendant issues of residency permits, child custody and violence against women. Atty. Wilken was assisted by Ban Ying’s Ms. Krisanta Caguioa-Moennich, Linguistic and Cultural Mediator and Dr. Babette Rohner, social worker. 

In her remarks, Charge d’affaires Lillibeth Pono stated that the activity was in line with the third pillar of Philippine Foreign Policy, or the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of Filipinos abroad.  It is also aligned with the Embassy’s Gender and Development Program, which seeks to empower Filipino marriage migrants in Germany with accurate information on German law.  Lastly, she reminded the Filipino community that the Embassy stands ready to assist any Filipino in need. 

The information session was a response to an observation that some Filipina marriage migrants in Germany are not aware of German laws governing family life.

Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo on the 6th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration

Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo on the 6th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration

12 July 2022

Today we commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration. More than a historic milestone whose value lies in its commemorative significance, we recall 12 July 2016 as the day that affirmed to the community of nations that the rule of law prevails, and that stability, peace and progress can only be attained when founded on a rules-based legal order on the oceans, as it should be everywhere else. 

The Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the twin anchors of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the West Philippine Sea. 

The year 2022 is also the 40th anniversary of the adoption of UNCLOS. UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. There is no recourse to general international law on matters comprehensively covered by the UNCLOS. Compliance with UNCLOS, which represents a delicate balance of the rights and obligations of all States Parties, in its entirety is key to ensuring global and regional peace and the fair and sustainable use of the oceans. 

The Award, an affirmation of UNCLOS’ dispute resolution mechanisms, not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is an inspiration for how matters should be considered – through reason and right – by states facing similarly challenging circumstances. 

It authoritatively ruled that the claim of historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’ had no basis in law and is without legal effect. 

It upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone. 

It affirmed that certain actions within the Philippines’ EEZ violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and were thus unlawful; that large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions; that the large-scale harvesting of endangered marine species damaged the marine ecosystem; and that actions taken since the commencement of the arbitration had aggravated the disputes. 

These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable. The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories. At the same time, we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award. 

The Award benefits the world across the board. We do not see it as directed at any other country, near or far. We see it as it should be seen: as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change. It puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription. 

And so we say once again: the present that we need and the future that we want is a peaceful South China Sea. The Philippines is committed to this for as long as it exists. END 

LVP-PR-12-2022 – PH Embassy in Berlin & the Filipino Communities of Northern Germany Celebrate Kalayaan 2022

PH Embassy in Berlin & the  Filipino Communities of Northern Germany Celebrate Kalayaan 2022

 

Members of the Filipino Community in Northern Germany pose for a “family photo” with the Philippine Embassy Team.

09 July 2022, Hamburg – The Philippine Embassy in Berlin held its first “Piyestahan sa Hamburg” in cooperation with the Federation of Filipino Organizations in Northern Germany (FFONG) on 09 July 2022 at the Katholische Akademie Hamburg (KAHH).

The event was an extension of the Kalayaan 2022 celebrations in Berlin and would be the first event hosted in Hamburg by the Philippine Embassy since 2019.  It  was a get-together to celebrate 124 years of Philippine Independence and,  at the same time, to provide the venue to strengthen the fellowship and the spirit of “Bayanihan” among the different Filipino communities in northern Germany.

The Piyestahan followed  the screening of and discussion on the Filipino Film “Verdict,” which narrates the story of a victim of domestic violence, a wife and mother,  who is fighting for justice.    

In her remarks, Chargé d’affaires a.i.  Lillibeth V. Pono, emphasized the role of  PH women-heroes in the past,  in our struggle for independence –  like Tandang Sora, Gabriela Silang and Josefa Llanes Escoda.  She said that women of present times  should continue to play their role in nation-building and  in safeguarding  the country’s independence. 

During the activity, Embassy presented the FFONG with a certificate of appreciation for their continued support of the Filipino-German community in Northern Germany and in promoting the interests of the Philippines in the region.  

FFONG President Corazon Entapa receives certificate of Appreciation from Chargé d’affaires Lillibeth V. Pono

As in the traditional Piyestahan, the event was a showcase of Filipino dishes (i.e. lechon, lumpia, empanada, siopao, hopia, a  variety of Philippine desserts)  and,   of Filipino talent – as Filipino performers entertained the community with their songs. END.

Showcased were Filipino dishes and the lechon was the centerpiece.

LVP-PR-10-2022 – PH Embassy in Berlin Introduces Philippine Culture to Gustav-Heinemann Oberschule Students

PH Embassy in Berlin Introduces Philippine Culture to Gustav-Heinemann Oberschule Students

28 June 2022, Berlin – The Philippine Embassy in Berlin conducted a workshop on PHL culture for Year 12 students from the  Gustav-Heinemann Oberschule, in line with the school’s  Projekt Woche.

 The Project Woche is an annual school event that allows German students to transform their classes into workshops that  allow them to  develop and expand  their interests.  This year, the Year 12 class selected the Philippines as their country of interest.

CDA Lillibeth Pono welcomes the Year 12 Class of Gustav-Heinemann Oberschule to the Embassy

CDA Lillibeth Pono, with  Ministers Gerardo Abiog and Mary Luck Hicarte welcomed the students by sharing how and why  it is “More Fun in the Philippines.”  Vice-Consul Mina Ganzon gave  a presentation on Philippine geography, history, economics, and culture.   The  students were then made to   experience PHL gastronomy through a Pinoy merienda of pancit, chicken adobo, mais con yelo, and ube ice cream.

A virtual banig-weaving workshop was also offered to the students.  Ms.  Judith Basco, a Philippine-based modern weaver and founder of The Art of Yarn, guided the students on paper banig-weaving, as she lectured on the cultural relevance and sustainability of banig production. The students were able to produce their own paper banig after the workshop.

Gustav Heinemann students weave along with Judith Basco of The Art of Yarn.

Mr. Peer Sylvester, the Class 12 teacher, expressed satisfaction for the positive outcome of the workshop, especially on how it deepened the students’ appreciation of the Philippines.  END

 

Source: PR-LVP-10-2022

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