The 70-plus nurses pose with Fr Jun de Ocampo and guests from the Philippine Embassy and Filcom church
in what was the biggest gathering, so far, of Filipino nurses from the Berlin-Brandenburg area.
(photo by Mr Vincent Valiente, Filipinos in Berlin)
Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, who attended the gathering with a team from the Philippine Embassy, took the opportunity to present the newly arrived Labor Attaché who will head the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Berlin, Atty. Delmer R. Cruz. Labatt Cruz introduced himself to the nurses and briefly addressed some of their most pressing questions about applying for an overseas employment certificate (OEC).
Also present was Fr. Jun de Ocampo, the chaplain of the Filipino Community, and representatives of the first batches of healthcare practitioners who came to work in Germany in the late 1960s and the 1970s. Dr. Rebeca Navarozza Kunze delivered a testimonial on their behalf, sharing with the nurses highlights of her experiences as a medical technologist, and later, as a dentist, in Dortmund and in Berlin. A slideshow was likewise presented chronicling the history of Filipino nurses and medical professionals working in Germany.
The speeches and presentations were followed by a buffet salu-salo featuring a spread of Filipino dishes prepared by the nurses themselves. Games, karaoke, and a raffle draw took place alongside the dinner.
Amb. Dizon-De Vega with the nurses event’s organizers, Fr Jun de Ocampo, and the Embassy team.
(photo by Mr Vincent Valiente, Filipinos in Berlin)
Ambassador Dizon-De Vega congratulated the nurses for organizing themselves and for being representatives of the Philippines in Germany that the country can be proud of. She also assured them of the Embassy’s continued support and assistance, especially now that there will be a resident POLO and Labor Attaché in Berlin. (END)
