Author Mickey Ingles tells the story of Diego and the topsy-turvy world of Alinam.

Berlin –  Mikey Ingles’ book “Alinam: Diego Domingo and the Mandato Ruiz,” took center stage at a book reading event organized by the Philippine Embassy in Germany.   “Alinam” is a young-adult fantasy book which delves into the rich tapestry of Philippine history, mythology, and culture.

Reading a few passages from his book, Ingles allowed the characters of “Alinam” to temporarily transport the audience to an imaginary world.  

 At the question-and-answer that followed, members of the audience inquired about Ingles’ writing experience, routine, and the inspiration for his characters.  Ingles encouraged his audience to embark on their own journeys as writers and help promote Filipino culture and history in literature and media.  Ingles also shared his hope that these stories be published locally and internationally.  Ingles is finishing the third and final book for the “Alinam” series.  

The Philippines is set to be the Guest of Honor country in the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025.  The FBM will be a platform for Filipino authors, including Ingles, to amplify their voices, share narratives, and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive global literary landscape. (END)

Alinam brought together a diverse audience of all ages.

Ambassador Irene Susan B. Natividad hands the book “From Arms to Farms, A Tale of Transmogrification: The Kauswagan Story” to German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, as From Arms to Farms External Affairs Officer Marissa Lerias and supporters look on.

The From Arms to Farms Foundation showcased its success in organic agriculture, as a tool for peacebuilding and sustainability at the 16th Global Forum on Food and Agriculture (GFFA) which was held from 17 to 20 January 2024 in Berlin, Germany. The foundation was invited to the GFFA by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Through an organic farming training program, the foundation assisted the residents of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte in overcoming poverty and food insecurity, and encouraged rebels and combatants to lay down their arms and return to farming. 100% of agricultural lands in Kauswagan’s 13 barangays are now dedicated to organic farming.

Kauswagan has thus been transformed from one of the poorest local communities in the Philippines into a food secure, zero-hunger community and a model of success in organic farming and peacebuilding. Among its local and international awards is a Peace Prize by the United Cities and Local Governments Awards.

Themed “Food Systems for Our Future: Joining Forces for a Zero Hunger World,” the 16th GFFA brought together international experts on food and agriculture in politics, the academe, business and civil society, and provided them a platform to exchange views
on balancing food security with environmental issues. END

11 September 2023 — Ambassador Irene Susan Natividad received at the Embassy today Mr. Juergen Boos, President and CEO of the Frankfurt Buchmesse, to discuss the Philippines’ preparations as Guest of Honor Country at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse, which will be held from 15 to 19 October 2025 (FBM 2025).  Both committed to work together with other stakeholders towards the Philippines’ successful showing at FBM 2025.   

Mr. Boos was on a recent visit to Manila and Davao for the signing of the FBM2025 Guest of Honor Agreement with officials of the National Book Development Board led by chair Dante Francis Ang II and Executive Director Charisse Tugade.  The Philippines will be the second ASEAN country to be selected as Guest of Honor Country for the FBM , after Indonesia in 2015. 

The FBM Guest of Honor status was championed by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda to provide the Philippine book publishing and related creative industries an international platform to exhibit their work to a wider and diverse network and audience. 

The Frankfurter Buchmesse is the world’s largest and oldest book fair.  It is recognized as the most significant event for international deals in the publishing world.  Held annually over five days in October in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany, the Buchmesse attracts more than 4,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries, to negotiate international publishing rights, license agreements, and cross-media adaptations.  Countries selected as Guest of Honor are given a unique platform to showcase their books and intellectual prowess on the international stage and to train the international spotlight on their culture and heritage. (END)