Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega presented her credentials today to H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Bellevue Palace in Berlin.

As is customary in such state events, the Ambassador and her entourage were escorted by officials of the Protocol Division of the German Foreign Ministry to the Presidential Palace.

Upon arrival at the palace grounds, the Ambassador was welcomed by the Chief of Protocol and given military honors by the German Armed Forces. She was then invited to sign the Palace’s official guest book, followed by the formal presentation of her credentials and the letter of recall of her predecessor to President Steinmeier.

The officials had a brief private meeting after the presentation. During the meeting, President Steinmeier and Ambassador Dizon-De Vega had a cordial and substantial discussion about various aspects of Philippine-Germany relations and looked forward to more active engagement in the years.

The ceremony ended with departure military honors and the raising of the Philippine flag over the Palace grounds.

The Ambassador was accompanied by her spouse, Philippine Ambassador to Belgium, the EU, and non-resident Ambassador to Luxembourg Eduardo Jose De Vega; Philippine Consul General in Frankfurt Evelyn Austria-Garcia; Minister and Consul General Lillibeth V. Pono; and other Embassy officials.

Prior to her assignment in Germany, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the Undersecretary for Administration. She has served twice as Chief Coordinator of the Department of Foreign Affairs.She also served as Consul General in New York from 2016 to 2018. Her other foreign postings include the United Kingdom, Hong Kong SAR, China, and Mexico. END

The Filipino Pastoral Community of Holy Spirit Church based in the Charlottenburg District of Berlin, Germany and the Philippine Embassy jointly ushered in the 121^st Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence Day on 09 June 2019.

The event featured messages from Ambassador Dizon-De Vega who likewise read the Independence Day message of DFA Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Fr. Tranquilino De Ocampo, SVD, a performance by Filipino-German youth, and Community singing. The program was followed by a reception.

The activity held annually brings together Filipinos and Filipino-German community members across several generations in re-affirming love of country and their Filipino roots. Prayers for the Philippines and the Filipino community in Germany were offered in several Philippine languages by officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy.

The event ushers a month-long celebration of the commemoration of Philippine Independence throughout Germany. END

 

Filipino artist Elito Circa more popularly known as “Amang Pintor” in the Philippines wowed an international audience at the Friendship House of the Rotary International Convention held at Hamburg Messe on 02 June 2019.

Mr. Circa, demonstrated his hand painting skills using acrylic paint on canvass all created in time with several pieces of music ranging from the Filipino classic “Sarungbanggi” and popular rock music. After 3 songs and just a little over 15 minutes, Mr. Circa created 6 works which he donated to the Rotary International for auction. Mr. Circa’s demonstration was witnessed by Philippine Ambassador-designate Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Filipino community leaders from different parts of Germany.

Mr Circa who is also an active Rotarian and former District President, did a similar hand painting demonstration at the Philippine Embassy on 31 May 2019 which was posted live on Facebook by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega. The live demonstration has already racked up over 1,800 views.

Aside from Mr.Circa, nearly 2,000 delegates from the Philippine gathered in the port city of Hamburg, Germany for the Rotary International Convention. Various leaders from the different Rotary Districts in the Philippines, presented their civic and social projects and renewed their commitment to further strengthening the Rotary as a force for good in the Philippines and internationally. End

The MAM Awards recognize the positive and significant contributions of media outlets, institutions and practitioners in the fields of print, radio, movie and television, advertising and internet from the government and private media organizations in the Philippines and abroad, in raising public awareness on issues on Filipino migration (i.e., human trafficking, illegal recruitment, brain drain and brain circulation, remittance flows, political crisis, families left behind by migrants, etc.) advocating the cause of Filipinos overseas, or promoting a positive image of Filipinos overseas.

The awards were conceived in 2011 by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Inter-Agency Committee for the December Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants DAy in the Philippines.

For the 2019 Awards, entries must be received by the Awards Secretariat on or before 30 July 2019.

Find out more by reading this primer:

2019 MAM Primer and Nomination Form