Consulate General of the Philippines Frankfurt

FILIPINO CRAFTSMANSHIP TO TAKE CENTERSTAGE IN GERMAN LIFESTYLE EVENT

The country’s creative edge in producing distinctly designed handcrafted products takes centerstage once again as Philippine manufacturers join Ambiente 2020 this coming 7-11 February 2020, at Messe Frankfurt, Germany.

Under the LifestylePhilippines brand, 24-strong furniture and home décor manufacturers that represent some of the artisan regions in the country will highlight handcrafted and consciously-made products that speak of story and purpose.

The participation’s key messaging for this year is “Hands That Work.” This direction presents a celebration of the innate capabilities of Filipinos to create the most design-driven yet functional pieces from natural and sustainable raw supplies and even from old and considered as waste materials. The participation will highlight the artistic and capable hands of local manufacturers that harnessed different material manipulation techniques to create exquisite products globally used and appreciated today.

To know more about the country’s upcoming participation in Ambiente 2020, please visit http://www.manilafame.com/♦

Mayor of Wilhemsfeld Graces Commemoration of Rizal’s Martyrdom

Mayor Christoph Oeldorf graced the commemoration of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine national hero, which was organized by the Heidelberg/Wilhelmsfeld Chapter of the Knights of Rizal this 30th of December at Wilhelmsfeld’s Rizal Park. Filipinos from as far way as Switzerland, France and Saudi Arabia joined the event.

In their remarks, Mayor Oeldorf and Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal Dr. Reinhold Lovenich recalled the ideals that Rizal propagated and the close relationships he had with German mentors. Dr. Lovenich also underscored Rizal’s desire to be in solidarity with the common Filipino during his time and unite his countrymen.

Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, in her remarks, thanked the Knights of Rizal for the occasion to pay tribute to our national hero. She mentioned that the late, revered Philippine historian, Father Horacio de la Costa, described Dr. Rizal as an “outstanding moral figure” who placed a high premium on truth. Father de la Costa called him a “ builder of a nation,” – the Filipino nation.

Consul General Garcia stated that it was heartwarming to know that other nationalities admired and praised our national hero as a great thinker during his time. While she thanked them for promoting Dr. Rizal and his ideals, Consul General Garcia added that the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt would be more than happy to cooperate with them in this endeavor.

The event was capped by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal statue in Wilhelmsfeld Park. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN FRANKFURT CELEBRATES ITS FIRST SIMBANG GABI WITH FILIPINO-GERMAN COMMUNITY

17 December 2019 – In celebration of the Christmas season, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt sponsored the first of the nine nights of the “Simbang Gabi” on 16 December 2019 at St. Ignatius Church and hosted a simple reception for the members of the Filipino-German community.

The Filipino Catholic Community of St. Ignatius Church holds the 9-day Christmas dawn masses annually. This year’s Simbang Gabi is being celebrated by Fr. Mario Estrella of the Archdiocese of Bistum Limburg.
After the Mass, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia explained the cultural significance of the Simbang Gabi. She also expressed appreciation to the members of the Filipino community for their support to the Consulate’s activities this year and expressed hope that they will continue to work closely with the Consulate in the coming year.

Meanwhile, in commemoration of the 123rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal with the theme, “Jose Rizal: Huwaran ng Pilipino sa Ikadalawampu’t Isang Siglo,” Consul General Austria-Garcia also took the opportunity to encourage the Filipino-German church-goers to revisit the life and work of Dr. Jose Rizal through the art exhibition of our national hero currently running at the Consulate. She also expressed hope that the exhibit would arouse reflection on Rizal and allow people to pay him tribute. She invited the public to visit the exhibition which opened last 9 December 2019.

The Simbang Gabi event was attended by some 100 Filipino-German community members as well as other Frankfurt-based expatriates. It was capped with a reception featuring Filipino delicacies. END

 

Legarda Delivers PH Statement in COP25, Urges Developed Countries to Fulfill Commitments to Paris Agreement

MADRID, Spain – Deputy Speaker and Lone District of Antique Representative Loren Legarda delivered the Philippine Statement at the High-Level Segment of the 25th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Madrid, Spain, where she serves as Head of the Philippine Delegation.

Legarda urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments to the Paris Agreement by leading deep and drastic cuts in carbon emissions and providing finance and investments for innovative adaptation solutions in local communities.

“The latest science tells us that our options to survive and thrive are swiftly diminishing. So in this COP, let us finish the work at hand, “the Paris rulebook.” The urgency of action, unequivocally, is most pronounced today than ever. United climate actions must now happen in an ambitious scale, scope, and speed,” Legarda said.

“The committed climate finance of at least 100 billion dollars by 2020 and every year thereafter for the adaptation and mitigation needs of developing countries must now materialize, beginning with the immediate replenishment of the Green Climate Fund,” Legarda added.

Legarda said that the Philippines has exhibited climate leadership and commitment to act on the climate emergency. She cited landmark climate legislation, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Renewable Energy Act, Climate Change Act, People’s Survival Fund Act, National Protected Areas Act, Green Jobs Act, and the recent Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, as well as the country’s increase of excise tax on coal importation.

As a parliamentarian for the past two decades, Legarda also mentioned that she has led innovative policy and strategy development for climate action, including the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction in the government’s annual national budget.

“The Philippines, constrained as we are in means and capacities, has been doing all it can to make a difference in responding to the global climate emergency. It is in this context that we urge the developed country Parties to rise to the 1.5 climate challenge and uphold climate justice,” Legarda said.

“The time for action has long passed. Now is the time to catch up. Now is the time to translate words into actions. As we end the year to welcome a new one—the year Paris Agreement will be fully enforced—let the era of procrastination, inaction and apathy end as well. Let this end present a new beginning for humanity—a new chance to rise to the climate challenge, this time with a renewed commitment and a stronger resolve,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda thanked the people of Spain for co-hosting COP25 and expressed her confidence to the Chilean Presidency to deliver on the higher ambition and faster action that the 1.5 Paris goal requires of the global community.

Legarda is a UNEP Laureate, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience, UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, and Member of the Governing Board of the Green Climate Fund.

Consular Outreach in Bonn, Germany

The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany held its fifth consular outreach mission for this year in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia last 7 December. The one-day event which was held at the Elohim Center in Bad Godesberg was conducted in coordination with Father Rodel Liguid, Filipino Community in Bonn, Elohim Community, Sacred Heart Group and Tropa ng Kabataang Pinoy. The outreach team led by Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr., provided passport, notarial, civil registry and other consular services. Mr. Rene Mangune of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) attended to labor-related concerns and accepted applications for OWWA membership.

Based on the latest regional statistical reports, there are approximately 4,200 Filipinos living in North Rhine-Westphalia, the second largest number of Filipino residents within Post’s consular jurisdiction after Bavaria. The majority of the applicants are spouses of German nationals and their children. – END