The University of Santo Tomas Singers (UST Singers), under the baton of Prof. Fidel Gener Calalang Jr., earned ovations at their concert at the St. Benno Jurgenhöl Kirche in Goslar, Lower Saxony last June 24.  A 400-strong mostly German audience was very much impressed by the group´s versatility as they presented sacred, spiritual, international, modern, folk, and popular music.

The UST Singers is currently on its 34th International Concert Tour, carrying on with its mission as ambassadors of goodwill and the promoters of Filipino culture and heritage worldwide through choral excellence. Since its foundation in 1992, the UST Singers has won more than 80 top prizes from international choral competitions, including the 1995 and 2010 Choir of the World Luciano Pavarotti Grand Prize in Llangollen, Wales, bringing pride to Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad. END

The Philippine Embassy in Berlin celebrated the 120^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a series of events that not only showcased Filipino talent and food, but also brought out a strong sense of community within the Filipino community.

Diplomatic reception

The highlight of this year’s Independence Day celebrations was a diplomatic reception on June 15 attended by almost 200 guests, including officials of the German Government, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of various cultural institutions, and local business executives.

In her welcome remarks, Chargé d’affaires (CDA) Lillibeth Pono underscored the economic gains that the Philippines has achieved in recent years, as well as its strong ties with Germany.

Federal Foreign Office Director General for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ina Lepel, in turn, congratulated the Philippines for 120 years of independence and underscored the fact that the country is a vibrant democracy

Guests were greeted by delightful cocktails made of popular Filipino alcohol brand Don Papa Rum.

The special evening was filled with contemporary Filipino songs and folk songs performed the talented singing duo The Nightingales and Berlin-based Filipino artist Andy Roda.

Taste buds looking for new flavors got to try pancit and lumpia, specially prepared by Embassy personnel, while those with sweet tooth indulged in ube- and pandan-flavored ice cream courtesy of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Berlin.

Each guest also went home with a souvenir package with tourism materials and handcrafted items from the Philippine Tourism Office in Frankfurt.

Flag ceremony

On Independence Day, June 12, CDA Pono and Embassy officers Catherine Rose Torres and Marie Cris Chieng led Embassy personnel and Filipino community members in a solemn flag ceremony at the Embassy.

The event also included a screening of “Jose Rizal: Sa Landas ng Paglaya,” a documentary produced by the National Historical Commission, and a breakfast salu-salo.

Independence Day Mass

Some 200 Filipino Catholics, joined by Embassy personnel, gathered for an Independence Day Mass dubbed “Santa Misa para sa Bayan” on June 10 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Berlin.

After the Eucharistic celebration, CDA Lillibeth Pono read Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s Independence Day message, while Vice Consul Alvin Malasig delivered a presentation on the Philippines’ struggle for independence.

The program ended with the congregation singing “Pilipinas kong Mahal,” which was followed by a salu-salo at the parish community hall. END