The Philippine Embassy in Berlin launched last weekend a new online series entitled Unpacking the Pandemic’s Lessons through Interviews with Filipino Thought-leaders/Talents (UPLIFT) with a session on “Weaving change, fashioning the future.” Featuring Ms Anya Lim, co-founder and ‘Princess Ant’ of Cebu-based social and cultural enterprise ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, a number of session participants donned Philippine weaves in line with ANTHILL’s rallying cry #wearyourtribewithpride.

Ms Lim recounted ANTHILL’s beginnings inspired by her childhood encounters with indigenous Philippine cultures courtesy of her mother, who worked with indigenous communities, and how witnessing the disappearance of weaving traditions galvanized her to set up business that would assist weaving artisans in innovating their design and connecting to markets.

Thus, ANTHILL, which stands for Alternative Nest and Trading /Training Hub for Indigenous or Ingenious Little Livelihood seekers, was founded, and has since been at the vanguard of cultural preservation, community uplift, women empowerment, and sustainability promotion in the Philippines. It is leading the local movement on slow fashion that is “human-centered and allows us to really respect and honor the flow of stories that are intricately woven in the process.”

In line with UPLIFT’s thrust of examining the impacts of COVID-19 on various areas and aspects of society and the economy, Ms Lim also narrated the challenges ANTHILL and its artisans are facing because of the pandemic, and how they are navigating these challenges. For example, artisans who do not have their own looms are unable to go to the community weaving centers to work and have thus found ways to create new revenue streams through, for example, backyard agriculture. Meanwhile, online sales through its website have been a lifeline for ANTHILL amid the cancellation of several pop-up events it was slated to have this year. In addition to their usual merchandise, ANTHILL has come up with safety essentials like face masks featuring local weaves and Bayanihan self-care buckets in response to the pandemic.

Ambassador Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega lauded Anya and the ANTHILL team for their efforts and highlighted the importance of Filipinos supporting local industries and social enterprises especially at this time of need.

The UPLIFT session, which is part of the Embassy’s Gender & Development (GAD), Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK), and Sustainability programs also marks the celebration of Buwan ng mga Wika in August. Those interested to learn more about ANTHILL may view the recording at https://bit.ly/3gpGGYc and visit www.anthillfabricgallery.com. END.

In keeping with tradition, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin reached out to the Filipino community in Germany and its partners on Philippine Independence Day.

As the Embassy adapts to measures to prevent the further spread of the CoViD-19 pandemic, its annual celebration went fully remote and digital, with a special video presentation featuring inspirational songs sung by Filipino performing artists and special guests both from Germany and the Philippines. The performers were classical artists Andion Fernandez-Ching and Jeffrey Ching, Berlin-based Filipino nurse Shermaine Rocacorba, and UST Singers Alumni, Mylah Ann and Jose Mari Rubio.

Philippine tokens were also sent to the Embassy’s partners in the German Government, diplomatic corps, business sector, media, academe, cultural institutions, and resource persons to thank them for the assistance that they extended in the past year.

In her Independence Day Message, Ambassador Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega assured the public that the Embassy will continue to be of service to the Filipino community in Germany. She also paid tribute to our frontliners who continue our tradition of “commitment, passion, and service to people and country.”

Ambassador Petra Sigmund, Director General for Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Federal Foreign Office conveyed the German Government’s greetings on the special occasion. She said that “Germany will continue to be a reliable partner to the Philippines and a friend to the Filipino people.” She also thanked the contribution of Filipino health workers to her country’s efforts to overcome the pandemic.

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

The full video can be viewed through the following link: https://bit.ly/30FusXj.

Throughout the month of June, the Embassy will continue to stream content related to Philippine history, culture, and the arts. A commemorative event on 19 June 2020 for Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s 159^th birth anniversary and tribute event for the team behind Community publication The Migrant will likewise be held on 21 June 2021. END