The Philippine-German folklore group “Damayan” celebrated its 25th anniversary in Osnabrück, Germany thru an evening of folklore and dance under the theme “Pista sa Nayon.”   “We want to celebrate our jubilee year by allowing our guests to experience true Filipino culture,” remarked Elizabeth Tiemann, Chairperson of the Damayan Philippinische-Deutsche Folkloregruppe e.V.

In his welcome speech, Mr. Jens Martin of the SPD Party in the Osnabrück city council was all praises for the dance group Damayan, saying that he has heard so much positive news about the group. “Upon hearing such stories, I think: this is how integration should work. This is why I am grateful for the commitment of the association in the past 25 years,” he said.

Minister and Consul Adrian Cruz, who represented the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the group for celebrating its silver jubilee.  In the spirit of “damayan” or “solidarity,” he also encouraged the group to partner with the Philippine Embassy in its conduct of mobile outreach missions and dialogues with Filipinos living in Lower Saxony, and even with those who have already become naturalized German citizens.

The dance group “Damayan” presently seeks new members – interested Filipinos and Germans alike – who wish to learn about Philippine culture through indigenous dances.  Damayan also engages in various charity activities, which include the sponsoring of a charity for children with leukemia and providing financial contribution for the reconstruction of houses devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2014.  The proceeds of their recent event will be provided to Nehemia Christliches Hilfswerk e.V.  for its relief operations benefiting the orphaned children in Apayao, Northern Philippines.  (END)

To further celebrate the 155^th Birth Anniversary of Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal and to welcome the month of August when National Heroes Day is celebrated, the Philippine Embassy and Transwing Art Gallery, Inc. have partnered to hold the visual arts exhibit “Rizal Through the Eyes of Artists.” Featured are the works of Arnel Garcia, Rene Robles. Ronna Manansala, and Ferdinand Ruiz. The exhibit will run from 29 July to 12 August 2016.

A formal opening was held on 28 July 2016 at the Philippine Embassy in Kurfürstendamm. Present during the vernissage was Pampanga-based artist Arnel David Garcia. He talked about his vision as an artist and explained his works on display. Garcia presented Rizal in relief scupltures (resin and mixed media). One rendition had Rizal’s face separated in various parts, implying the various facets of the hero. Another relief sculpture positioned Rizal with leaders like Jesus Christ and Mao Tse-tung, implying their impact on people. Garcia is known to work as a sculptor and painter and has participated in solo and group exhibitions in the Philippines.  The Berlin exhibition is his international debut.

Bulacan-based painter and graphic artist Ferdinand Rae Ruiz titled his work “Rizal Map” (acrylic) and presented a picture-perfect rendition of Rizal with a backdrop map of the places the hero visited in Europe.

Painter and sculptor Ronna Manansala, who is the granddaughter of the Philippines’ National Artist, Vicente Manansala, used bold brush strokes (oil) in presenting Rizal.

Artist Rene Robles showed Rizal behind several white doors in a predominantly red setting which could be interpreted as Rizal reopening doors for the nation after his imprisonment.  Works of Robles have found their way into the collections of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, former United States President Bill Clinton, and Malcolm Forbes, among others.

“Rizal Through the Eyes of Artists” is open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 0900h to 1600h,  29 July to 12 August 2016, at the Philippine Embassy, 2^nd Floor Haus Cumberland, Kurfürstendamm 194, 10707 Berlin.