CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE IN BERLIN

Berlin, 16 June 2023 – The Embassy of the Philippines in Berlin celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and Nationhood in a reception held at the  Waldorf Astoria Hotel Berlin on June 16 with  representatives of German government and businesses and members of the diplomatic corps.

Drawing from this year’s commemoration theme Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan,  and recalling President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s Independence Day message, Ambassador Irene Susan B. Natividad paid tribute to the brave men and women whose sacrifices and struggles  for a free country and people should not be forgotten in today’s world where new challenges and oppressors emerge and where the fight to “defend our liberty day by day” and preserve our hard-won freedoms continues.

“We are happy to celebrate this day with all freedom-loving friends and partners in the international community, especially with our host state – Germany.  The Philippines’ and Germany’s common adherence to democratic values and a strong commitment to a rules-based international order have been the foundation of a relationship that has spanned 69 years, ” Ambassador Natividad said.

She went on to recall recent high level visits and engagements between the Philippines and Germany in the areas of regional security, climate action, trade and investment, labor mobility, science and technology and tourism.

Dr. Martin Thümmel, Deputy-Director General for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the Federal Foreign Office, in his response,  traced the Philippines-Germany connection to  Dr. Jose Rizal and said, “I would like to salute again, your forebears and their indomitable resolve to fight for their freedom.xxx We take pride in our shared values with the Philippines, particularly in defending the UN Charter and upholding international law xxx I want to reaffirm our unwavering support to stand by you and with you in addressing challenges to that order.”

The evening was filled with musical performances by select Filipino artists with tenor Jose Mari Rubio singing the Philippine and German national anthems. Berlin-based violinist Emanuel John Villarin and the One Globe Voices @ Work choir from the Philippines gave renditions of Filipino and German compositions.  END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOSTS JOINT CELEBRATION TO COMMEMORATE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE AND DR. JOSE RIZAL’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Berlin, 11 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Germany held a joint commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood and the 162nd birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Heilig Geist Kirche gardens in Bayernallee on 11 June.

With the theme Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, at Kasaysayan, the joint celebration emphasized the significance of the twin milestones in shaping the nation’s past, present and future.  In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Irene Susan B. Natividad said, , “Para po sa ating lahat na nakapamumuhay ng malaya, nakapagsasalita ng malaya, nakapagtipun-tipon ng malaya, at nakapananampalataya ng malaya, utang po natin ang lahat ng ito sa ating mga bayani xxx Gamitin po natin ang ating kalayaan at kasaysayan upang magtulungan at magkaisa para sa kinabusang mapayapa, maunlad at masagana para sa bawat Pilipino at sa bansang Pilipinas.”

The Ambassador then joined Gerhard Müller of the Knights of Rizal and Stella Schnell of the Ladies for Rizal in a floral offering for the national hero.

After the mass, One Globe Voices @ Work delighted the community with their rendition of classical and contemporary Filipino songs. To cap the day’s events,  the Embassy hosted a salu-salo for the community at the church garden.

Viaje Kicks off  Independence Day Celebrations in Berlin

Berlin, 05 June 2023 –  The Philippine Embassy in Berlin, in collaboration with  Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento (KUNST) ushers in the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood with an art and live painting exhibition titled “Viaje: Filipinism and what makes art Filipino.”

“Viaje” celebrates the Filipino’s cultural heritage, rich artistic traditions and diverse identities. Through a carefully curated collection of artworks, the exhibition encourages viewers to reflect and explore  the intrinsic connections between art and Filipino identity through the paintings of Fiorna Panopio, Jerwind Magnaye, Marissa Gonzales, and Doy Kastilyo.

Ambassador Irene Susan Natividad welcomed guests and emphasized the “spirit of exploration and discovery” that Viaje  elicits and “ the richness and diversity of our culture and experiences as a nation and people that it captures.”  She added,  “ Through their masterpieces, our talented artists celebrate our resilience, our stories of triumph, and our identity as Filipinos.”

Mr. Virgilio Cuizon, KUNST’s art manager and curator, introduced the artistic perspective of “Filipinism” which aims to establish a distinct brand of art that empowers Filipino communities abroad. The exhibition showcased the work of contemporary Filipino artists and featured a diverse range of styles, such as “Pinoy fauvism,” expressionism, and abstract art.

The opening night included a “PintAwit” performance featuring the musical stylings of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Legend Rizaldo Realubit and a Live Painting demonstration from the featured artists.

GERMAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE HOISTS PHILIPPINE FLAG FOR NEW PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR’S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS

Berlin, 16 May 2023 –  H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, received the credentials of Philippine Ambassador Irene Susan Barreiro Natividad at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. The customary protocol involved the Ambassador and her entourage being escorted by officials from the German Federal Foreign Office – Protocol Division to the Presidential Palace. Upon arrival, the Ambassador was given military honors by the German Armed Forces, invited to sign the official guest book of the Palace, and then presented her credentials and the letter recalling her predecessor to President Steinmeier.

President Steinmeier and Ambassador Natividad had a cordial and substantive discussion on bilateral relations and regional issues.  The Philippines and Germany will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

The Ambassador was accompanied by her spouse, Dr. Rosauro Natividad, Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos and Ministers Gerardo P. Abiog and Mary Luck S. Hicarte.

Ambassador Natividad’s previous foreign postings included Vienna, Milan, New York, Singapore, Honolulu, and Ottawa. (END)