PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOSTS JOINT CELEBRATION TO COMMEMORATE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE AND DR. JOSE RIZAL’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Berlin, 11 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Germany held a joint commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood and the 162nd birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Heilig Geist Kirche gardens in Bayernallee on 11 June.

With the theme Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, at Kasaysayan, the joint celebration emphasized the significance of the twin milestones in shaping the nation’s past, present and future.  In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Irene Susan B. Natividad said, , “Para po sa ating lahat na nakapamumuhay ng malaya, nakapagsasalita ng malaya, nakapagtipun-tipon ng malaya, at nakapananampalataya ng malaya, utang po natin ang lahat ng ito sa ating mga bayani xxx Gamitin po natin ang ating kalayaan at kasaysayan upang magtulungan at magkaisa para sa kinabusang mapayapa, maunlad at masagana para sa bawat Pilipino at sa bansang Pilipinas.”

The Ambassador then joined Gerhard Müller of the Knights of Rizal and Stella Schnell of the Ladies for Rizal in a floral offering for the national hero.

After the mass, One Globe Voices @ Work delighted the community with their rendition of classical and contemporary Filipino songs. To cap the day’s events,  the Embassy hosted a salu-salo for the community at the church garden.

Viaje Kicks off  Independence Day Celebrations in Berlin

Berlin, 05 June 2023 –  The Philippine Embassy in Berlin, in collaboration with  Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento (KUNST) ushers in the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood with an art and live painting exhibition titled “Viaje: Filipinism and what makes art Filipino.”

“Viaje” celebrates the Filipino’s cultural heritage, rich artistic traditions and diverse identities. Through a carefully curated collection of artworks, the exhibition encourages viewers to reflect and explore  the intrinsic connections between art and Filipino identity through the paintings of Fiorna Panopio, Jerwind Magnaye, Marissa Gonzales, and Doy Kastilyo.

Ambassador Irene Susan Natividad welcomed guests and emphasized the “spirit of exploration and discovery” that Viaje  elicits and “ the richness and diversity of our culture and experiences as a nation and people that it captures.”  She added,  “ Through their masterpieces, our talented artists celebrate our resilience, our stories of triumph, and our identity as Filipinos.”

Mr. Virgilio Cuizon, KUNST’s art manager and curator, introduced the artistic perspective of “Filipinism” which aims to establish a distinct brand of art that empowers Filipino communities abroad. The exhibition showcased the work of contemporary Filipino artists and featured a diverse range of styles, such as “Pinoy fauvism,” expressionism, and abstract art.

The opening night included a “PintAwit” performance featuring the musical stylings of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Legend Rizaldo Realubit and a Live Painting demonstration from the featured artists.

GERMAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE HOISTS PHILIPPINE FLAG FOR NEW PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR’S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS

Berlin, 16 May 2023 –  H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, received the credentials of Philippine Ambassador Irene Susan Barreiro Natividad at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. The customary protocol involved the Ambassador and her entourage being escorted by officials from the German Federal Foreign Office – Protocol Division to the Presidential Palace. Upon arrival, the Ambassador was given military honors by the German Armed Forces, invited to sign the official guest book of the Palace, and then presented her credentials and the letter recalling her predecessor to President Steinmeier.

President Steinmeier and Ambassador Natividad had a cordial and substantive discussion on bilateral relations and regional issues.  The Philippines and Germany will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

The Ambassador was accompanied by her spouse, Dr. Rosauro Natividad, Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos and Ministers Gerardo P. Abiog and Mary Luck S. Hicarte.

Ambassador Natividad’s previous foreign postings included Vienna, Milan, New York, Singapore, Honolulu, and Ottawa. (END) 

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH WEBINAR ON INVESTMENT, TAX AND DOING BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES  

To empower migrant Filipino women in Germany and encourage them to participate in economic activities , a webinar on Investment , Tax and Doing Business in the Philippines was held on Saturday, 25 March 2023. 

In her welcome remarks,  Ambassador-designate Irene Susan Natividad said that while the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap Report cites the Philippines as among the top 20 countries that have taken measures to close the gender gap,  more needs to be done to  encourage greater participation of women in economic activities.  Research shows that skills gap, wage gap, care work, and societal norms continue to be stumbling blocks for the greater economic empowerment of women in the Philippines.   She expressed hope that the webinar will be able to provide participants, especially Filipino women in Germany, with information on economic opportunities and access to resources .

The main speaker, Mr. Mon Abrea, Founding Chair and Chief Tax Advisor of the Asian Consulting Group and trustee of the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines, spoke about the Philippines’ economic overview and forecast and investment vehicles in the Philippines, including those with tax exemptions.

Mr. Chris Lim, president of the Philippine Franchise Association and franchise matching company U-Franchise, provided insights on the business franchise model and presented franchising opportunities in the Philippines. 

Ms. Patricia Villaseñor, owner and managing director of Berlin-based company Kape de Filipina, walked the audience through her journey as an entrepreneur.  Ms. Villasenor champions Philippine coffee and chocolates in Europe, with the goal of bringing the Philippines back on the global coffee map.

The webinar was in line with the Philippines’ National Women’s Month celebration and the Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Program of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment.  It was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Germany, in partnership with the Asian Consulting Group, the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines, Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center and the Migrant Workers’ Office in Berlin, the UP Alumni Association and the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship group.   

There  are 32,245 Filipinos in Germany.  Around 75% of this figure, or 24,575 are female.