Filipino communities in Germany shared the joy of Cebu’s annual Sinulog festival with their local parishes last January 21 in typical Filipino fiesta fashion.

In Hamburg, Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek graced the Sinulog celebration at the Kleiner Michel Catholic Church where Filipino community groups in bright costumes and carrying images of the Sto. Niño danced to the beat of Sinulog parade songs.

Filipinos from all over northern Germany flocked to Hamburg to join in the festivities.

The Ambassador thanked the community for being a constant inspiration to her and the Embassy Team in the performance of their duties, and encouraged the congregation to see the goodness of the Lord in everything.

The event also gave the Filipino community in Hamburg the opportunity to pay tribute to Ambassador Thomeczek and bid her farewell as she winds up 27 years of dedicated service as a Filipino diplomat.

At the Church of the Holy Ghost in the German capital, Berlin, young Filipinos and Filipino-Germans in their Filipiniana finery, most of whom were born and raised in Germany, carried on with the tradition of Sinulog dances.

Ms. Pono addresses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Ghost, Berlin.

Minister Lilibeth Pono, the newest member of the Embassy Team and a native of Cebu, greeted the congregation and introduced other members of the Embassy Team who were present.

Taking inspiration from the Cebuano song, Batobalani sa gugma (magnet of love), Ms. Pono encouraged the devotees of the Sto. Niño to allow their faith to bring out the best in them, and to contribute to the betterment of their respective communities, their native land, and their adopted home.

The Eucharistic celebrations and dancing in both cities were followed by a hearty Filipino meal shared by members of the congregations.

(L) Artist Nona Garcia and a sample of her work (R), “Planted 13” (2017), oil on wood, 198,5 x 113,5 cm. Photos by Hannes Wiedemann/Arndt Art Agency.

Filipino artist Nona Garcia opened her second solo exhibit in Berlin with a special evening reception organized by the Philippine Embassy and Arndt Art Agency (A3) last January 18 at the latter’s gallery.

The distinctive works on display go beyond the painted image and incorporates the qualities of the surface itself. The wooden surface provides its own unique grain, which in turn becomes an attribute to the form – a part of the composition as a whole.

The event drew the attention of the diplomatic corps and Filipino and expatriate communities, as well as local art enthusiasts, with over a hundred guests in attendance. Garcia’s exhibit, the 10^th exhibit of contemporary Filipino art organized by A3 in Berlin, signals the growing recognition for Filipino artists in Germany.

A3 Founder Matthias Arndt describes Garcia as an international artist that speaks a universal language. “What excites me about the art in Southeast Asia is that the art is not an art world phenomenon. It’s not locked in the artistic world but it’s a cultural phenomenon. There’s always a connection to their land and culture and at the same time, it’s a universal language,” Arndt said.

Garcia was born 1978 in Manila, Philippines. She studied at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Major in Painting. Garcia lives and works in Manila. The Philippine artist staged solo exhibition “Recovery” at the Bencab Museum in Baguio City, Philippines in 2014.

Some of her institutional group exhibitions include: “Passion and Procession: Art of the Philippines”, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (2017); “5th Anniversary Special Presentation: Revision I”, Mind Set Art Center, Taipei City, Taiwan (2015); “Prague Biennale”, Prague, Czech Republic (2009); and “3rd Fukuoka Triennale,” Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan (2005).

(Clockwise from top left) Ambassador Melita S.Sta. Maria-Thomeczek (4th from left) is flanked by gallery owner Matthias Arndt (3rd from left), Nona Garcia (5th from left), and staff and officials of the Philippine Embassy and Arndt Art Agency. (Right, photos below). Photos by Hannes Wiedemann/Arndt Art Agency.

“Planted” is open to the public at Arndt Art Agency (Fasanenstraße 28, 10719 Berlin) until March 9, 2018. For more information, visit www.arndtartagency.com. END