PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BERLIN REACHES OUT TO International Partners and The Overseas FILIPINO COMMUNITY ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

13 June 2021, Berlin – With public event restrictions still in place, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin commemorated the 123^rd anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with the German government, the Filipino community in Germany and its international partners with a Virtual Commemorative Program, a live Flag-raising Ceremony, and a Kalayaan 2021gift box. The Virtual Program and Flag-raising Ceremony may both be viewed on the Embassy’s official facebook account.

The online program featured inspirational songs performed by Filipino artists and special guests both from Germany and the Philippines, namely, Berlin-based vocalist and actor Eladio Pamaran, UST-Singers Alumni Jose Mari Rubio, and Tawag ng Tanghalan Champion Anthony Castillo. Messages from the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and Philippine Honorary Consulates in Munich, Stuttgart, and Essen along with Philippine archival images and tourism destinations were likewise included in the virtual program.

In her Independence Day Message, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega highlighted the resiliency of the Filipino-German community in the face of the pandemic as well as the close cooperation between the Philippines and Germany which was further strengthened during a challenging year.

Ambassador Petra Sigmund, Director General for Asia and Pacific Affairs of the Federal Foreign Office conveyed the German Government’s greetings on the special occasion, stating that “The pandemic has not stopped the dialogue between our two countries” She likewise extended her thanks, especially to the Filipino nurses in Germany, for their committed work in the healthcare sector.

Messages of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez, and Secretary of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III were all featured in the online activities.

This year’s celebration was made possible through the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Department of Tourism, National Historical Commission, National Quincentennial Committee, Office of Presidential Protocol, and the German Federal Foreign Office.

The full videos can be viewed through the following link: https://bit.ly/3zqWuo7 .END

As a closing activity for the commemoration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin released a video entitled “Sergio and Maik Learn Filipino” – a 20 minute presentation of two German nationals, Sergio Oroz and Maik Götze, learning Filipino words through original Pilipino music or OPM. Sergio and Maik are both residents of Berlin and have an ongoing interest and connection to the Philippines.

Guiding them on this educational adventure are three popular music artists from the Philippines, Zild Benitez of IV of Spades, Kai Honasan, and Armi Millare of UDD (formerly Up Dharma Down).

Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega provides a brief introduction to the video and invites audiences to join the linguistic and cultural journey of Sergio and Maik.

The video aims to introduce some words and expressions in Filipino as well as highlight contemporary Philippine popular music to Filipino, Filipino-German, and international audiences for Buwan ng wika 2020.

The video has since been featured by Philippine network GMA News and has nearly 7,000 views since its released on 29 August 2020.

Aside from the video, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin also shared various Buwan ng Wika commemoration online content through its various social media platforms. END