RIZAL ARTWORK OF EMERGING FILIPINO ARTISTS AND VIDEO DOCUMENTARY LAUNCHED IN FRANKFURT
In commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt launched an art exhibition and mini-documentary video entitled “Jose Rizal and Art – His Travels in Germany and Europe” on 30 December 2021 at the Consulate’s exhibition area and Facebook page, respectively.
The activities, which were undertaken in cooperation with Magkaisa Creative Space, a Philippine and Germany-based art gallery, aimed to encourage the Filipino-German audience to take the opportunity to revisit the life and work of Rizal through the artwork of emerging Filipino artists of Magkaisa Creative Space and raise awareness of Rizal’s stint in Germany and some European countries. The Rizal artwork featured in the art exhibition and video documentary were the following: (1) “Touch Me Not” by Sarah Tario; (2) “Rizal and Wine” by Kristian Karlo Gonzales; (3) “Unforgettable Heroes” by Jhonrill Cudillo; and (3) “Rizal” by Luke Joshua Estrana. END
NINE DAYS TO CHRISTMAS: TRADITIONAL FILIPINO DAWN MASSES CELEBRATED IN FRANKFURT
16 December – As a crescendo towards Christmas Day, the Filipinos in Frankfurt, joined online by Filipinos in Wiesbaden, Wetzlar, Limburg and Bad Homburg, began the traditional Christmas dawn masses that will run for nine days, culminating on December 25.
These Christmas dawn masses – Simbang Gabi – manifest the strong religious roots and spirit of the holiday season for Filipinos.
The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt led by newly-arrived Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos sponsored the first of the series of masses at St. Ignatius Church in the heart of Frankfurt. The event also marked the first time for the Consul General to meet with members of the Filipino community in Frankfurt. She was welcomed by Filipino chaplain, Father Francis Ofrancia.
With the mass respecting health protocols, Consul General Banzon Abalos highlighted how Filipinos, both in the Philippines and in Germany, have shown throughout the pandemic, the willingness to bear personal discomfort for the sake of public health and the collective good.
This year’s mass collections will be used to support the computer project of St. Nicholas Catholic School in Anda, Pangasinan. END
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN FRANKFURT BRINGS PH CULTURE CLOSER TO FILIPINO-GERMANS THROUGH ART AND BOOK EXHIBITS DURING CONSULAR OUTREACH IN BONN
15 November 2021 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt conducted its fifth consular outreach mission this year in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia on 13 November 2021. The 9-member consular team, led by Vice Consul Fatima Mueller, a total of 154 consular services including passport renewal, legalization of documents and civil registry. Moreover, 22 clients were provided one-on-one consultations by Mr. Rene Mangune from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Berlin who also participated in the event to provide information and extend the services of POLO and OWWA.
In order to bring Philippine arts and literature closer to Filipino-Germans, the Consulate also conducted an art exhibition/art appreciation talk and book festival entitled, “Filipinism: What Makes Art Filipino” and (2) PinoyBookFest in Bonn, respectively, which delighted the Filipino-German clients of the consular mission. The art exhibition, which was curated by Essen-based art patron Mr. Virgilio Cuizon, featured the artworks of contemporary Filipino artists Aris Bagtas, Jorge Banawa, Emmanuel Nim Zorrick Enriquez, Luciano Artista, Anthonie Genosa, and Rigor Esguerra of Kunst Gallery. Filipinism is an art movement which highlights the real identity of the artist as a Filipino in their work.
Meanwhile, the book exhibition featured recent titles exhibited at the Philippine stand during the recently concluded 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair which was participated in by the National Book Development Board. It aims to promote the country’s rich oral and print literary heritage as well as develop the culture of reading among the Filipino-German community. END
CONSUL GENERAL GARCIA OFFICIALLY OPENS VIRTUAL SENTRO RIZAL DIGITAL EXHIBIT AS SHE ENDS TOUR OF DUTY IN FRANKFURT
30 October 2021- The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, led by Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, officially launched today the Virtual Sentro Rizal (VSR) permanent digital exhibition as the Consul General ends her tour of duty in Frankfurt. The VSR, which is established in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), is a digital multilingual collection composed of over 200 text, video and photo contents related to Jose Rizal and other Filipino heroes, Philippine resources on arts and culture, values, literature, history, geography, environment, tourism and architecture, among others.
The VSR permanent digital exhibition aims to complement the Consulate’s cultural diplomacy initiatives, adapt and cope with the demands of the digital age and tech-savvy audience. The establishment of the immersive and interactive VSR exhibit incorporates technology, augments participants’ learning experience and creates another avenue to engage with the Consulate’s constituents.
During the event, the Consul General emphasized the importance of utilizing modern tools to advance the country’s interests abroad. She stressed that digital transformations, such as the establishment of the VSR, can be used to enhance the services provided by Foreign Service Establishments. She hopes that the VSR digital exhibition will be among her legacies at the Consulate and expressed optimism that the introduction of such modern technology could heighten interest on the Philippines’ national hero, and other aspects of the country’s culture.
In addition to the VSR permanent exhibition in Consulate’s consular area, other VSR exhibitions have been established this year, including those at the Philippine Honorary Consulates in Munich and Stuttgart and Ruhr University in Bochum, which is home to an existing Philippine Studies program. END
RESEARCH PROJECT SUPPORTED BY THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN FRANKFURT YIELDS NEW KNOWLEDGE ON 19th CENTURY PHILIPPINE CULTURAL OBJECTS IN GERMAN MUSEUMS
21 October 2021- The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, in cooperation with the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), held today the virtual launch of the publication of the final report of the one-year research project by Professor Stephanie Marie Coo via Facebook livestreaming in the FB pages of the Consulate and FSI. The published article entitled “Journey of Culture Through Objects: The Philippine Collection at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart” presented part of the research findings on the evidences of 19th century Philippine material culture found in German ethnographic museums. The project received funding support from the Office of then Senator and now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.
During the event, Professor Coo, who is a Marie Curie Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Granada, Spain and Universidad de Lisboa, Portugal, emphasized that the first phase of the research project yielded significant research data which had never been previously published. She noted that insights gained from her person-to-person interactions with curators, researchers and academics have been invaluable and critical in providing context to the Philippine collections found in German institutions. She expressed hope that the second phase of the research project will yield further significant research data that will result in the publication of a full-fledged book on the subject.
Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia congratulated Professor Coo on the completion of this significant research material which documented Philippine realia in German institutions and contributed in enriching knowledge and information on the subject. “In bringing together museum experts, professors, researchers, diplomats and through the exchange of new ideas and fresh perspectives, this project has opened up meaningful opportunities of utilizing Philippine collections in German repositories, other than enriching cultural knowledge,“ the Consul General said. She expressed appreciation to Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, who was instrumental in providing financial support for the pioneering research project. The Honorable Deputy Speaker Legarda and FSI Director Jose Maria Carino extended congratulatory messages as well. END
“PINOYFEST IN ULM” BRINGS FESTIVE WEEKEND, DELIGHTS GERMAN PALATES WITH NEW FILIPINO FUSION FOODTRUCK
18 October 2021- The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt in coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Stuttgart, brought a festive weekend to the Filipino-German community in Baden-Wuerttemberg as it conducted a cultural event entitled, PinoyFest in Ulm on 16 October 2021 at the Hotel Ulmer Stuben, Ulm. The event, which coincided with the Consulate’s consular outreach mission in the city, showcased Filipino food, art, music, travel and featured Filipino fusion Pacifico Foodtruck, the cubism-inspired artwork of Cebu-based artists Vidal Alcoseba and Darby Vincent Alcoseba.
During the activity, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia bid farewell to the attendees and highlighted Post’s accomplishments since its re-opening in 2018. She sought the support of the Filipino-German community in Baden-Wuerttemberg in advocating Philippine interests and encouraged them to patronize Filipino-owned food businesses, such as the Pacifico Foodtruck in order to help promote Filipino cuisine in Southern Germany. The foodtruck, which served Filipino dishes such as adobo, beef caldereta, sisig, pancit, and lumpia to Filipinos and Germans alike, proved to be a big hit and served as an indication of the locals’ willingness to try such delicacies.
In addition to the art exhibition, a tourism fair was also conducted with the support of the DOT-Office in Frankfurt and Filipino-owned Jes Travels travel agency which promoted Philippine destinations, and provided information on the country’s preparations for tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Consulate also took the opportunity to invite the guests to view OPCD’s special episode of Fiesta Filipinas: Masskara Festival of Bacolod City. Fiesta Filipinas kits and other tourism items were also raffled off to the attendees. Moreover, attendees were entertained with Filipino folk songs during the event. END
SINE HALAGA FILM FESTIVAL’s FIRST INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH HELD IN FRANKFURT
3 September 2021 – In collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and Negros Cultural Foundation (NCF), the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held today the first international launch of the Sine Halaga Film Festival via Zoom and Facebook Live. The film festival, which was officially launched on 25 August in Manila, provides a platform to Filipino filmmakers to give an account of stories rooted in their localities that depict Filipino values.
During the event, Festival Director Elvert Banares along with guest film directors Jordan dela Cruz, Ralston Jover, and Jan Carlo Natividad, introduced to the Filipino-German audience the twelve featured films which are being shown for free via the Vimeo platform. Director Banares emphasized the role of overseas Filipinos including those in Germany in supporting and promoting Filipino films abroad. He narrated the challenges of filmmakers in creating original content which promote awareness of the nineteen (19) defined list of core and shared Filipino values based on a research study conducted by the NCCA. These include personal values such as value of the self, life and purpose, resilience, happiness; and social values such as good governance, love for country, honesty and integrity. He also underscored that each film was written to reiterate the importance of these Filipino values while depicting local customs and practices, shooting in particular regions and featuring leading local actors and cinematic teams. Sine Halaga also has an educational component as the films will be used in classroom settings.
Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia expressed appreciation to the film festival organizers and directors for the opportunity to hold in Frankfurt the first promotional launch abroad. She also emphasized that the featured films serve as instruments in boosting appreciation of the country’s cinematic industry and encouraged the Filipino-German community to do their share in promoting Filipino films overseas.
The 12 featured films in the film festival are the following:
1. Mina’s Family History by Christopher Gozum
2. Salog Ning Diklom by Jordan dela Cruz
3. Ugbos ka Bayabas by Manuel Magbanua
4. Black Rainbow by Zig Dulay
5. Looking for Rafflesias and Other Fleeting Things by James Fajardo
6. Sa Bahay ni Papang by Kurt Soberano
7. Dandansoy by Arden Rod Condez
8. Bakit Ako Sinusundan ng Buwan? by Richard Soriano Legazpi
9. Hadlok by Ralston Jover
10. 13 Feet by Carlo Obispo
11. Masalimuot ya Tiyagew Ed Dayat by Jan Carlo Natividad
12. Lorna by Noel Escondo
“ATING KALAYAAN” VIRTUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT STIRS PATRIOTIC SENTIMENTS AMONG FILIPINOS IN GERMANY
12 June 2021- A flag-raising ceremony at the premises of the Consulate was held on 11 June 2021. During the ceremony, the video messages of Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda were played. It was attended by the Consulate’s personnel as well as consular applicants who were present.
Serving as the highlight of its Independence Day activities this year, The Consulate produced and showed a virtual concert entitled, “Ating Kalayaan,” on 12 June 2021. The production featured MusicArtes’ classical singers and voice actors, who performed renditions highlighting the heroic spirit of Filipinos, their sense of aspiration and hope. It was combined with multi-media displays of Philippine culture, history, heritage and tourism, among others. The virtual concert also featured a piano piece of the Philippine National Anthem by Mr. Christian Joseph Dino, a Filipino music scholar in Germany.
Among the patriotic Filipino songs from different periods featured in the concert were Kayumangging Malaya, Jocelynang Baliwag, Mutya ng Pasig, and Pilipinas Kong Mahal. One of the highlights of the concert was the poetic interpretation of Andres Bonifacio’s Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa by Filipino actor Mr. John Arcilla.
In her message, the Consul General emphasized that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan,” reminds us that freedom is something that we can achieve if we join hands together. She also underscored that “a different threat to our freedom has emerged, and that as our country and people struggle to overcome the onslaught of COVID-19 and strive to attain freedom – freedom from fear and the effects of this disease, we should overcome division and remain united so together we can continue toward the path of peace, progress and prosperity.”
As part of its pre-Independence Day activities, a virtual concert produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs was livestreamed on 11 June 2021 on the Consulate’s social media pages. The concert entitled, “Lessons for a Changed World: The Legacy of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines,” was a tribute to the independent spirit of our
country’s indigenous peoples. The special video production honored the traditional values that have allowed our indigenous peoples to survive, integrate with the bigger world, while remaining firmly rooted in their identities and collective memories. END
‘QUINCENTENNIAL-THEMED’ VIRTUAL FASHION EXHIBIT CREATES RENEWED CONSCIOUSNESS OF FILIPINO CULTURAL HERITAGE IN EUROPE
27 April 2021- In celebration of the National Heritage Month and as part of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt’s contribution to the ongoing 2021 Quincentennial commemorations in the Philippines, a virtual fashion exhibit entitled, “Golden Treasures: Culture, Art and Tradition of Our Filipino Ancestors,” was held today featuring the “Quincentennial-themed” collection of Filipino fashion designer Lionell Christian Lanuzo. The event was streamed live in the Consulate’s Facebook account.
During the launch of the exhibit, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia expressed hope that the Consulate would be able to raise awareness of the country’s rich pre-Hispanic history and underscoring the magnanimity, compassion and humanity of Filipinos in helping the impoverished crew of the Magellan expedition. She also thanked Mr. Lanuzo and his team for sharing their talent and skills in promoting Philippine heritage in Germany and the rest of Europe. Secretary Teodoro R. Locsin’s message for the National Quincentennial Commemorations was read by Consul Rogelio E. Villanueva.
For his part, Mr. Lanuzo expressed appreciation for the opportunity and support given by Post to showcase the talent of Filipinos abroad. He expressed optimism that through his fashion collections, a renewed consciousness of our history would be cultivated among Filipinos abroad.
The Golden Treasures collection contains elements of the Philippines’ pre-colonial past. Mr. Lanuzo, who was commissioned by the Consulate to undertake the project, drew inspiration from the 16th century Boxer Codex in showcasing the people, clothing, ornaments, and body painting of Filipinos during the 15th century. The evolution of the aesthetic image of our Filipino ancestors in the light of traditions, beliefs, and rites were the central focus of his collection.
The Consulate also set up a physical exhibit at its exhibition area featuring gold replicas and colorful illustrations of some images of the Boxer Codex and twelve of the thirty-four historical markers of the sites of the Philippine route of the Magellan-Elcano expedition. END
