The Philippine Embassy in Berlin

Viewing category: Culture

SMALL GERMAN TOWN KEEPING DR. RIZAL’S MEMORY ALIVE

CDA Pono (standing behind the podium) delivering her remarks at the Jose Rizal Park in Wilhelmsfeld.

Tucked away in the forests of the Odenwald mountains, Wilhelmsfeld in the state of Baden-Württemberg occupies a special place in Philippine history. For a few months in 1886, the town was home to no less than the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Today, Dr. Rizal is an integral part of the town’s identity, with markers, Philippine flags, and street names serving as tangible links to its storied past. Every year, the town and its leadership celebrate the life and deeds of the great man who was once a member of their community.

On June 17, Filipinos from different parts of Germany, including Philippine Embassy Chargé d’affaires Lillibeth Pono, and mostly German members of the Knights of Rizal led by Wilhemsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter Commander Sir Werner Filsinger, came to Wilhelmsfeld for this year’s Rizal Birth Anniversary celebration.

Dr. Axel Neumahr, Honorary Consul for PHC Stuttgart, likewise reiterated CDA Pono’s message and called on the residents of Wilhelmsfeld to continue what their forefathers have started by holding such event, not just out of tradition but to affirm the solid relationship between the said countries.

In her remarks during the occasion, CDA Pono called Wilhelmsfeld a symbol of the enduring bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Germany, and expressed the Embassy’s gratitude to Wilhelmsfeld Mayor Christoph Oeldorf and the past administrations of Wilhelmsfeld, and the Knights of Rizal, for keeping the memory of our National Hero very much alive – a hundred and thirty-two years after he walked the town’s streets.

The Chargé d’affaires encouraged everyone, especially her fellow Filipinos, ”to follow Dr. Rizal’s example and to always be mindful of one’s duty to our nation, and be an exemplary ambassador of goodwill of our motherland abroad.”

From left: Philippine Honorary Consul in Stuttgart Axel Neumahr, CDA Pono, and Knights of Rizal Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter Commander Filsinger.

FILIPINOS IN GERMANY CELEBRATE THE SANTACRUZAN

Bottom left photo: Chargé d’affaires Pono (center) with Fr. Tranquilino Ocampo, SVD, and Vice Consul Malasig at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Berlin

Filipinos in three of Germany’s major cities, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg staged the traditional Santacruzan procession on May 27, the last Sunday of the month.

The festivities featured Filipinos representing historical and mythical figures dressed in Filipiniana finery and other colorful costumes parading along the streets of German cities with arches decked with flowers.

The procession commemorates the finding of the true cross by Empress Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. According to Christian tradition, the event paved the way for the Christianization of the Roman Empire, especially Europe. It is traditional held in late May as part of the month Flores de Mayo.

Top left photo: Consul Torres (extreme right) and Vice Consul Chieng (second from right) at the Kleiner Michel Church in Hamburg

In her remarks at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Berlin, Embassy Chargé d’affaires Lillibeth V. Pono emphasized that aside from its religious significance, the Santacruzan is also important to Filipinos because it is part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. She also encouraged Filipinos to pass on the tradition to future generations of Filipinos in Germany.

Top right photo: Tourism Representative Valdes at the St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt.

The Embassy was represented in Berlin by Ms. Pono and Vice Consul Alvin Malasig, and at the Kleiner Michel Church in Hamburg by Consul Catherine Torres and Vice Consul Maricris Chieng. Tourism Representative Margarita Patricia Valdes attended the festivities at the St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt. END

SENATOR LEGARDA BOOSTS EFFORTS TO SECURE LOAN OF RIZAL ARTIFACTS IN GERMANY TO PHL NATIONAL MUSEUM

Senator Legarda (center) hands over a token to officials of the Berlin Ethnological Museum. From left: Third Secretary and Vice Consul Alvin Malasig (Philippine Embassy), Dr. Maria Gaida (Head, Collections Depart-ment) Dr. Lars Christian Koch (Director, Berlin Ethnological Museum), Dr. Roland Platz (Curator, Southeast Asian collection).

During her recent visit to Germany, Senator Loren Legarda took the opportunity to support the Philippine Embassy in Berlin’s efforts to secure the loan of Rizal artifacts from the Berlin Ethnological Museum.

 In her meeting last April 5 with Dr. Lars Christian Koch, newly-appointed director of the Ethnological Museum, the Senator stressed the importance that the Philippines attaches to the artifacts. She also conveyed her appreciation for the Ethnological Museum’s willingness to lend such an important part of its extensive Southeast Asian collection to the National Museum of the Philippines.

Dr. Rizal, who actively engaged in various intellectual pursuits during his stay in Germany from 1886 to 1887, donated to the Ethnological Museum items such as traditional Filipino clothing, including a Barong Tagalog, and indigenous fabric from Mindanao.

 “The artifacts are tangible proof of the longstanding friendship and strong people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Germany. The fact that they were donated personally by no less than our revered national hero gives them even greater intrinsic value,” Senator Legarda said.

“There are, of course, administrative and logistical concerns that we have to address as these are fragile objects that require utmost care. But I am happy to note that the Embassy, the National Museum of the Philippines, and the Ethnological Museum are all eager and committed to seeing this project come to fruition,” the Senator added.

 The two museums, with the assistance of the Embassy, have started initial preparations for the loan. Plans have also been drawn for the mounting of a special exhibit in 2020 at the National Museum featuring the donated artifacts along with Rizal-related artworks and original manuscripts of his literary works, among others. END

Some of the artifacts in the Berlin Ethnological Museum’s Rizal collection.

Nominations for the 2018 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas is now open!

The Philippine Embassy in Berlin is pleased to inform the public that the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has opened nominations for the 2018 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

These awards are conferred by the President of the Philippines every two years on meritorious individuals and organizations in highest recognition of their work in the service of the Filipino community or nation, and for exceptional achievements or excellence in the pursuit of their endeavors.

The following requirements are needed for applications to be considered:

1. Nominations must be made on the prescribed form (see detachable copy) and submitted together with supporting documents. All submissions must be written in, or translated into English or Filipino.

2. The Nomination Form must be completed and include all required information, particularly a summary of the work or relevant contribution of the individual or organization being nominated. Supporting documents must be attached.

3. The contribution of the nominee must be specifically described, whether personal or professional service, material or financial contribution, or technology, skill or know-how that has proven to be recognized or beneficial (Please indicate estimated value, if the contribution is monetary or material).

4. The submission must include qualitative and/or quantitative information to describe the outcome or impact of the nominee’s contribution to the beneficiaries, community, or the country, or the nominee’s own profession.

5. The duly completed Endorsement Form completed by the Post’s Awards Committee.

 

The Presidential Awards program serves to reassure Filipinos that the Philippines continues to welcome and encourage their further participation in the country’s development as well as engage them in cultivating a strong and vibrant overseas Filipino community.

There are four (4) categories of awards to be conferred on Filipino individuals and organizations overseas:

LINGKOD SA KAPWA PILIPINO (LINKAPIL) AWARD
This award is conferred on Filipino individuals or organizations for their exceptional or significant contribution to reconstruction, progress and development in the Philippines.

BANAAG AWARD
This award is conferred on Filipino individuals or organizations for their significant contribution to advance the cause or promote the interests of overseas Filipino communities.

KAANIB NG BAYAN AWARD
This award is conferred on foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional or significant contribution to Philippine reconstruction, progress and development, or to advance the cause or promote the interests of overseas Filipino communities.

PAMANA NG PILIPINO AWARD
This award is conferred on Filipinos overseas, who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

To download needed forms for the Presidential Awards, please click on this link – Presidential Awards Primer.

The Philippine Embassy will only receive applications with original documents until 30 April 2018 by mail. This is to give ample time to review the requirements and still make it to CFO´s deadline on 31 May 2018.

For more information regarding the Presidential Awards, you may reach the Awards Secretariat at tel. nos.: (632) 552-4700 locals 761-767; fax no.: (632) 561-8160 or email at presidentialawards@cfo.gov.ph.

CONNECT WITH US

CONTACT US

Luisenstrasse 16, 10117 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 864 95 00
info@philippine-embassy.de
(General Inquiries only)
For Consular-related Queries please send directly to the respective email addresses below)

Assistance to Nationals (ATN) / Emergency Hotline: +49 (0) 173 421 7750
(Please help us keep the line free for those with real emergencies. Do not call this number for regular inquiries.)

Consular Hotline: +49 (0) 173 521 5703 (For queries on Consular Services)

Email Addresses:

Passport
(passport@philippine-embassy.de);

Authentication, Notarial, and Legalization
(authentication@philippine-embassy.de);

Visa
(visa@philippine-embassy.de);

Civil Registry
(civilregistry@philippine-embassy.de);

Citizenship
(Renunciation; Re-acquisition/Retention) (citizenship@philippine-embassy.de);

Other Consular queries
(consular@philippine-embassy.de)

Opening Hours
Consular Section
Mon – Fri – Fri 09:00H – 16:00H
(Except on Philippine and German holidays)

 

Philippine Migrant Workers Office (MWO)

For OEC and Verification of Employment Contracts of Balik-Manggagawa in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Russia:

Mobile: +49 17681317465 (WhatsApp);
email: mwo.germanyoec@gmail.com

For accreditation of Agency and Direct Hires in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Russia:

Mobile: +49 15229021623 (WhatsApp/Viber)
email: germany@mwoberlin.com

For OWWA membership, welfare, and labor case assistance:

Mobile: +49 152 2823 8085 (WhatsApp)
email: owwamemb@gmail.com; mwo_berlin@dmw.gov.ph

Recent Stories