Consulate General of the Philippines Frankfurt

FRANKFURT PCG HOLDS WEBINAR ON POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG SERVICES

Atty. Delmer Cruz, Labor Attaché, POLO (topleft), Ms. Sylvia Gabriel, Welfare Officer, OWWA (top right), Ms. Mary Jessielyn Sia, SSS Representative (bottom left) and Ms. Mylene Lontoc-Pintor, Pag-IBIG Representative (bottom right) served as resource speakers during the Consulate’s webinar on POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG Services.

26 October 2020, Frankfurt – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt conducted last 24 October a webinar on POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG Services. The webinar is the third online event of the Consulate for members of the Filipino-German community in its jurisdiction.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia extended her warmest greetings to the resource speakers and participants for spending their Saturday morning to participate in the webinar. She noted that the coronavirus has affected Filipinos everywhere especially the Overseas Filipino Workers. For those who have decided to weather the pandemic in Germany, the Consulate is committed to supporting and assisting our kababayans, Consul General Austria-Garcia underscored.

Consul General Austria-Garcia added that a seminar on the same topic was initially planned to be held last June as part of the Consulate’s Barrio Fiesta event for the annual commemoration of Philippine Independence but was cancelled due to the German Government’s Covid-19 restrictions. Last year’s seminar was held on-site at the newly-opened office of the Consulate in Frankfurt.

Pictured above are Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia (above) and Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. (below), as they participate in the Consulate’s webinar.

Representatives from POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG served as the resource speakers. Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz discussed the mandate of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). As the operating unit of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) abroad, the POLO is guided by its twin objectives of implementing the country’s labor policies and programs to facilitate employment and protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipinos working abroad. He discussed POLO’s special programs to help OFWs cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and provided tips to OFWs who intend to travel to the Philippines for vacation.

Ms. Sylvia Gabriel, Welfare Officer, delivered a presentation on the various services offered by OWWA to its members. She encouraged OFWs in Germany to register or update their membership with the OWWA to ensure full coverage and assistance. She also spoke about OWWA’s reintegration program and collaboration with other government agencies to provide livelihood assistance to returning OFWs especially those displaced by the pandemic. Both the POLO and OWWA are located in the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.

The presentation on SSS services was delivered by Ms. Mary Jessielyn Sia of the SSS Representative Office in Milan, Italy. Ms. Sia expounded on the contributions, benefits and loans for overseas Filipinos in the country’s pension fund and its efforts to make services more accessible through online platforms. Members can now apply for loans through the My.SSS Portal and pay their contributions through the online payment facility of Rewire, Ms. Sia added. With seven benefits available to members, contributions to the SSS should be seen as long-term savings and not an expense, she said.

The fourth speaker of the webinar was Ms. Mylene Lontoc-Pintor, Member Services Officer of the Pag-IBIG Fund Overseas Post in Milan, Italy. She informed everyone that Pag-IBIG is offering promo rates for regular housing loans until the end of the year. She endeavored to correct the view that the Pag-IBIG Fund is solely for housing loans. Ms. Lontoc-Pintor said that Pag-IBIG provides an excellent investment opportunity through its Regular Savings and MP2 program which offered significantly higher dividends at 6.73% and 7.23%, respectively, in 2019. Through the Virtual Pag-IBIG, application for membership, loans and records check as well as payment of contributions are now easier, added Ms. Lontoc-Pintor.

The webinar was capped with a question-and-answer session, as viewers were able to post their questions through the FB’s comments section.  The activity was held via Zoom and simultaneously streamed live in the Consulate’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PHinFrankfurt/, where it may still be viewed by interested parties.  Eighty-three attendees viewed the live proceedings and a video recording of the webinar has been shared 43 times and seen over 3,500 times in just 24 hours.

For the months of November and December 2020, the Consulate shall be conducting a webinar on “Livelihood Programs of DTI, DOLE and DA” as well as virtual “Christmas Performance” to celebrate the upcoming holidays, respectively. (END)

NBDB HOLDS CULMINATING EVENT AT THE 2020 FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR’s DIGITAL BOOKFEST SPECIAL EDITION

October 2020 – The National Book Development Board (NBDB) held its “Frankfurter Buchmesse- All Together Now Culminating Event at the Philippine Exhibit” last 17 October, where, among other speakers, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia delivered a message. Also participating was Vice Consul Fatima Mejilla C. Mueller, who represented the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt during the live discussion via Zoom and streamed live on NBDB and Consulate’s Facebook pages.

The Consul General congratulated NBDB and reiterated Consulate’s support in promoting and seeking new markets globally for the work of Filipino authors and Philippine publishers. She also conveyed the Consulate’s commitment to assist the Philippine delegation in the FBF as well as appreciation to Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, who also took part in the online activity, for her patronage of the country’s arts and culture through important global events such as the Book Fair.

NBDB Chair Dante Ang delivered the welcome remarks and apprised viewers of the Board’s efforts and achievements in support of the Philippine publishing industry. He expressed optimism as well that with the switch to e-books and e-commerce, the local publishing industry will increase its sales and continue to grow.

In her remarks, Deputy Speaker Legarda, a staunched advocate of the Philippine participation in the FBF, expressed her continued support to the Philippine publishing industry through “additional funding or in her personal capacity so wider global markets may be reached.” She also reiterated the Philippines’ aspiration to obtain the Country Guest of Honor status in the Fair in the next few years. For his part, Congressman Christopher de Venecia, a convenor of the Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress, underscored “the role of books in creativity, technology, trade, education and culture,” and encouraged the local publishing industry “to write and publish the story of the Filipino creative industries.”

Meanwhile, Ambassador Ma. Theresa de Vega recalled last year’s different sessions hosted by the Philippine delegation. She also highlighted developments in the publishing sector among ASEAN countries and expressed satisfaction on “the innovative output from the various sectors of the Philippine publishing industry, including children’s books” this year. The Ambassador hopes that “an even greater number of individuals and publishing companies will be present in the coming editions of the FBF as the Philippines continues to work to become a country of focus in the future.”

During the book launching part of the program, NBDB presented three publishers from different book genres. Mr. Paolo Herras of Komiket spoke of local comics and the expansion of the art market expansion with growing readership in order to sustain the comic art industry. He also presented the finalists for the Call for Entries for Graphic Novels for the Komiket Award for the Philippine International Comics Festival next year. Another guest publisher, Ms. Montenejo presented four titles in the Adarna House’s Batang Katutubo Series, which featured children from the different indigenous groups in the Philippines. These picture books were Gustong Mag-aral ni Sula, Ang Paaralan ni Fuwan, Bahay ng Marami’t Masasayang Tinig and Si Laleng at ang Lakbay Paaralan. Lastly, ABC EDC Publishing House presented renowned children’s book author Ms. Mary Ann Ordinario’s latest work entitled, Home is Where the Heart Lives, a story about making right choices in responding to unfortunate situations and uncertainties.

To complement the NBDB’s efforts in promoting the local publishing industry, the Consulate launched on its social media pages seven children’s e-books/videos which aim to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19. The e-books address topics, such as how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus infection and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality. These e-books are published online by Department Human and Family Development Studies (DHFDS) of the College of Human Ecology (CHE) and recommended by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. END

PHILIPPINE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REAP GERMANY-BASED AWARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

Karlsruhe, Germany – The Philippines was among the most decorated countries in this year’s Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards & Certification Ceremony, which was held at the Achat Hotel in Karlsruhe, Germany on 30 September 2020.

The Sustainable Finance Awards honor financial institutions and related organizations with significant contributions to the field of sustainable banking and finance. The awards aim to provide recognition to financial institutions that have successfully embedded economic, social and environmental sustainability into their organizational culture and honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the field of sustainable finance, among other objectives.

Three financial institutions from the Philippines were recognized during the ceremony. The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) was presented the Award for “Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing for success in financing Solar-Powered Resilient Communities.” The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) was conferred a Certificate of Merit for “Best Innovation in Financial Services for success in Enhanced Environmental and Social Safeguards. And, the Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. Philippines was granted a “Sustainability Certification” by the International Council of Sustainability Standards and Certification, becoming the first Microfinance Institution to receive such a certification. Receiving the awards on behalf of the Philippine entities was Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, who extended his congratulations to the awardees. “Sustainably certified financial institutions will be guided by strategic guidelines to mobilize funds for sustainable goals, including climate protection. They provide a response to the crisis, which have serious economic and social consequences,” Mayor Mentrup said in his remarks.

Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt echoed Lord Mayor Mentrup’s felicitations to the deserving recipients. “The accolades received by the Philippine financial institutions elevate the country’s status as an example for sustainable financing and recognizes the strides it has achieved to attain the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

Also present in the ceremony were the Berlin-based ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe, who accepted recognitions on behalf of financial institutions in their respective countries.

The EOSD is a body tasked to develop strategies, programs and initiatives, and undertake projects that contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy for Sustainable Development. It is a strategic partner of the host city, Karlsruhe, by supporting the internationalization of local enterprises and contributing to positioning Karlsruhe internationally as a place of innovation for sustainability. EOSD also has partnerships with government institutions, related groups such as the Association of the Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific headed by Mr. Octavio Peralta of the Philippines, and key players in the financial sector to fast-track sustainable economic development and environmental protection. (END)

Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez (second from left) receives the awards conferred to the Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines and Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. for “Sustainable Finance” from Mr. Tom Hoyem, Member of the City Council of Karlsruhe (second from right), Mr. Jochen Ehlgoetz, CEO of Technology Region of Karlsruhe (leftmost), and Mr. Arshad Rab, CEO of the European Organization for Sustainable Development (rightmost). (Photo from EOSD)

 

Deputy Consul General Fernandez (second from right) poses with the Ambassadors of Malaysia (3rd from right) and Nigeria (4th from left) after receiving the Sustainable Finance Award on behalf of DBP for “Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing for success in financing Solar-Powered Resilient Communities.” Standing rightmost is Dr. Frank Mentrup, Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe. (Photo from EOSD)

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN THE“LONG NIGHT OF THE CONSULATES” IN STUTTGART

28 September 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt collaborated with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Stuttgart to showcase various facets of the country’s culture during in the “Lange Nacht der Konsulate” (Long Night of the Consulates) last 25 September in Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Deputy Consul General Emilio T. Fernandez and Vice Consul and Cultural Officer Fatima Mejilla C. Mueller joined Honorary Consul Dr. Axel Neuhmar during the evening extravaganza to highlight Philippine products, fashion, dance, tourism and cuisine to some one hundred guests at the Kursaal Bad Canstatt, Stuttgart.
In his brief remarks to introduce the Philippine cultural performers, Honorary Consul Neuhmahr, expressed appreciation to the State Government for the opportunity to feature various aspects of Philippine culture, including its native products, local cuisine and tourist attractions.
During the two-part presentation, a Filipino-German cultural group Philippinisch-Deutscher Verein Nordschwarzwald impressed the audience with their performances of the ‘Tinikling’ and ‘Bagobo’ folk dances. The Department of Tourism’s “Wake up in the Philippines’ tourism videos, provided by its Office in Frankfurt, were shown prior to the performances.
The evening’s highlight featured the fashion show of Milan-based fashion designer Lionel Christian Lanuzo who dressed his Filipino and German models with meticulously-designed terno and the traditional men’s barong tagalog, made with indigenous materials such as banig, t’nalak, capiz, sigay, beads, pearls and paper foils among others.
With the assistance of the Filipino Nurses Community in Germany, the Philippine booth promoted Philippine products, tourism destinations and culinary favorities, lumpia and biko. Post’s representatives were also able to attend to queries from those asking about the current travel restrictions in the Philippines.
The Long Night of the Consulates, staged for the first time, was organized by the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg and the Ministry for Justice and Europe Baden-Württemberg under the leadership of Minister Guido Wolf. It was the central event of numerous projects under the theme “Na klar, zusammen halt” (Of course, we stick together).
Twenty five Consulates based in Stuttgart collaborated with the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, Europahaus, and the state capital to achieve their goal of “making diversity of nations come alive during the one-night event.” The sites of the activities were scattered throughout the city to ensure social distancing. END

Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez (rightmost) with Hon. Gisela Erler, State Counselor for Civil Society and Civic Participation of the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg (leftmost). (Frankfurt PCG photo).

 

Philippine booth promotes Philippine products, tourism destinations and culinary favorites. (Frankfurt PCG photo)

“Envisioning Healing and Inspiration from Abroad” – An Online Art Exhibition

“Envisioning Healing and Inspiration from Abroad” – An online Art Exhibition by joint effort of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany, and Transwing Art Gallery.

The Philippines’ art sector has been hit hard by this pandemic. For the Filipino artists, the response to this virus was the creation of a ‘New Art Reality’ towards the upcoming “New Normal“.

"Envisioning Healing and Inspiration from Abroad"

"Envisioning Healing and Inspiration from Abroad" – An online Art Exhibition by joint effort of the Philippine Consul General in Frankfurt / Germany and Transwing Art Gallery. The Philippines’ art sector has been hit hard by this pandemic. For the Filipino artists, the response to this virus was the creation of a ‘New Art Reality’ towards the the upcoming "New Normal“.

Gepostet von Transwing Art Gallery am Samstag, 12. September 2020

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN FRANKFURT CONDUCTS ONLINE ART EXHIBITION IN SUPPORT OF FILIPINO ARTISTS AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC

11 September 2020 – As part of its virtual cultural diplomacy initiatives and in support of the Filipino artists affected by the pandemic, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, in partnership with Transwing Art Gallery, launched today an online art exhibition with an opening event streamed live on its Facebook page.

The online exhibition entitled, “Envisioning Healing and Inspiration from Abroad: Overseas Filipinos Supporting Filipino Artists in Times of Pandemic,” featured the artwork of self-taught Filipino artists from Transwing Art Gallery. The art pieces represent the responses of these artists to the pandemic, or the so-called ‘pandemic art.’ They show different emotions of the artists, including expressions of pain and anguish which could turn into hope and healing. A total of 31 art pieces from different artists were showcased during the online exhibition.
In her remarks during the opening event, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria Garcia said, “It is vital that we recognize and protect the work of our artists both for their economic well-being and for the preservation of a part of our culture.” The Consul General further called on Filipino-Germans to lend their support to Filipino artists especially in these unprecedented times. “Let us ensure that they emerge even more nuanced and vibrant,” she added.

It is hoped that through this virtual art exhibition, the audience may find another means to cope up with the anxiety and stress brought about by the pandemic.

“The creativity of the featured artists is cathartic as it unleashes their pain and fears, and turns them into hopes and aspirations for a better tomorrow through their artwork,” Mr. Klaus Hartung, President of Transwing Art Gallery said during the live opening event.
Some of the notable artwork include the ‘Genesis’ oil on canvas by Kristian Karlo Gonzalez; ‘Lockdown Stories’ oil, acrylic and magazine on canvas by Joshua Villena; and ‘Colors of Valley’ acrylic on canvas by Jerelyn Donguines.

The Facebook livestreaming event garnered over 320 views during the live broadcast and stirred online interests among viewers. END

Online Art Exhibition

The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, in partnership with Transwing Art Gallery, invites you to an opportunity to listen to the voices of the Filipino artists as they ‘envision healing and inspiration from abroad’ in their art. Join us and offer support for the Filipino artists in times of pandemic.

 

MANA Mo 2020

WATCH:

The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt supports the 2020 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo). It aims to raise awareness in the country’s vast maritime domains and its potentials among Filipinos. This year’s theme is “Iisang Bangka Tayo: Unity During Uncertain Times.”

#MANAMo2020

MANA Mo 2020

WATCH: The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt supports the 2020 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo). It aims to raise awareness in the country's vast maritime domains and its potentials among Filipinos. This year's theme is "Iisang Bangka Tayo: Unity During Uncertain Times."#MANAMo2020

Gepostet von Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt am Mittwoch, 9. September 2020

Apart Together

Are you experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic outside of your country of birth? Please participate in the WHO supported ApartTogether global study (32 questions, 10 minutes, 37 languages) and help us better understand the psychosocial impact of #COVID19 on migrants and refugees. You can find the survey on www.aparttogetherstudy.org

Please share details about the study in your WhatsApp groups and encourage participation. Thank you in advance.

Frankfurt PCG Conducts its Maiden Online Event with its Economic Diplomacy Webinar on Financial Literacy

 

Mr. Rafael Consing, SVP & CFO of ICTSI (left), and Mr. Arnel Talisayon, Consul General of Geneva PCG/PM (right), served as panelists during the Consulate’s webinar on Financial Literacy.

31 August 2020, Frankfurt – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt conducted last 29 August its maiden online event for members of the Filipino-German community in its jurisdiction with the Economic Diplomacy Webinar on Financial Literacy.  An online presentation of the subject was deemed fitting and timely, considering the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic in many people’s lives, including overseas Filipinos.

Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia provided the welcome remarks.  She extended her warmest greetings to kababayans in Southern Germany, who set aside their Saturday morning, to take part in the event.  She added that the current situation has obligated the Consulate to utilize such non-traditional means to reach out to its constituents.

 

Pictured above are Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia (left) and Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez (right), as they participate in the Consulate’s maiden online event.

“This webinar is also an offshoot of the investment roadshow conducted by the Management Association of the Philippines in Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich last year, as there was a clamor from audience members to convene a forum on Financial Literacy.  It also takes the place of the Business Forum the Consulate planned during the Barrio Fiesta, which unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the German Government’s Covid-19 restrictions,” Consul General Austria-Garcia said.

Two distinguished panelists were on hand for the occasion.  Mr. Rafael Consing, who is the Chief Financial Officer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), discussed the importance of being financially literate and having sound financial management skills.  He provided practical advice on saving and the wise use of funds, and enumerated the various investment outlets available in the market, from short-term money market instruments, such as treasury bills, commercial papers and mutual funds, to the more volatile stock market, which has the potential to generate higher returns in the long run.

Mr. Consing is an accomplished finance executive with extensive experience in investment banking and global markets, corporate treasury and finance, investor relations, global insurance and risk management.  He assumed various roles in several leading financial institutions, including HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Bankers Trust and ING Barings.  He served as Vice President and Treasurer of Aboitiz & Company, before joining ICTSI, one of the top port operators in the world.  Mr. Consing is a sought after speaker on the subject and has been the recipient of several accolades, including being recognized by the Corporate Governance Asia as Asia’s Best CFO for Investor Relations, inclusion in Institutional Investor’s All-Asia Executive Team, twice being named Best CFO in the Philippines by Alpha Southeast Asia, CFO of the Year by CFO Innovation, and Treasurer of the Year-Philippines by The Asset.

Mr. Arnel Talisayon, on the other hand, centered his presentation to those with a higher tolerance for risk and a more entrepreneurial mindset.  He discussed the opportunities and challenges in engaging in a business.  He talked about the common mistakes made by overseas Filipinos and practical matters that can be expected with startups in the Philippines.  He also delved on other important aspects of financial education, such as retirement and social security, and addressed the question: is establishing a business the ultimate goal of financial education?

Mr. Talisayon currently serves as Consul General at the Philippine Mission/Consulate General in Geneva and also handles intellectual property issues. He began teaching Financial Education to overseas Filipinos while on assignment at the Philippine Embassy in South Korea.  He graduated from the UP College of Business Administration, studied Business and Economics as a fulltime exchange student at the Meiji Gakuin University in Japan and was a student fellow in Communication Studies at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore.

The forum was capped with a question-and-answer session, as viewers were able to post their questions through the FB’s comments section.  The activity was held via Zoom and simultaneously streamed live in the Consulate’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PHinFrankfurt/, where it may still be viewed by interested parties.  Fifty-one attendees viewed the live proceedings and a video recording of the webinar has been seen over 1,900 times in just 2 days.  (END)