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.”

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.

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.

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