Consulate General of the Philippines Frankfurt

CONSUL GENERAL IVY BANZON ABALOS HAILS CONTRIBUTION OF PH CULTURAL ORGANIZATION IN PROMOTING FILIPINO CULTURE OVER THE PAST FOUR DECADES IN SAARLAND

Consul General Ivy Banzon Abalos extended her heartfelt congratulations to the Philippine Cultural Organization in Saarland (PCOS) and its founder, Ms. Josie Hahn, applauding their invaluable contribution to fostering cultural understanding and strengthening ties between the Filipino and German communities.

The cultural group commemorated its 40th anniversary on 14 September 2024, in Dudweiler, Saarland celebrating four decades of promoting Filipino culture in Germany. The event highlighted the organization’s lasting impact on cultural exchange and community building over the past four decades. END

 

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL HOLDS INFO SESSION ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN HEIDELBERG

As part of its continuing information drive on dual citizenship services, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held its third info session on Republic Act 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Reacquisiton Act of 2003) in St. Michael Church in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg. The event aimed to inform the public of the procedures and requirements for applying for dual citizenship.

After their presentations, Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. and Consul Cecille Joyce Lao responded to questions during the open forum and individual queries after the program. The event in Heidelberg was made possible with the support of Ms. Cristina Del Castillo Stahl and members of the von Herz zu Herz Deutsch-Philippinische Partnerschaft e.V. Dielheim and Silayan Group, Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis TBB-Miltenberg e.V. Sitz I Schelflenz.

The Consulate has been receiving numerous applications for dual citizenship from former natural-born Filipinos and naturalized Germans since the German Law on the Modernization of Nationality Law (StARMoDG) took effect on June 27. END

 

CONSUL GENERAL IVY BANZON ABALOS WELCOMES FILIPINO EXCHANGE STUDENTS, EMPHASIZES ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN BUILDING STRONGER PH-GERMAN BONDS

13 September- Consul General Ivy Banzon Abalos warmly welcomed today Filipino exchange students Criz Bernadette de Castro and Audrey Caunceran from Jose Lopez Manzano High School in Tuy, Batangas, underscoring the role of the youth in enhancing PH-German relations. The students are participating in the “ART and SUSTAINABILITY” program at IGS-Schrenzerschule in Butzbach, Germany from September 10-18, 2024. This follows a reciprocal visit in April by three German students to the Philippines.

The Filipino and German exchange students were supported and coordinated by their school administrators from the Philippines Cristina Arguelles and Dr. Maricel Mercado, and German coordinators Jessica Gross and Tim Nungesser. The exchange program is being funded by the Entwicklungspolitisches Schulaustauschprogramm (ENSA) and aims to promote global understanding and sustainability through youth collaboration, reinforcing bilateral ties and future partnerships. END

PH CONSULATE GENERAL IN FRANKFURT HONORS GERMAN NATIONAL LOTHAR GROSS FOR 40 YEARS OF CULTURAL BRIDGE-BUILDING THROUGH SUPPORT FOR FILIPINO CHORAL GROUPS IN GERMANY

In recognition of his extraordinary commitment to fostering cultural relations and enhancing people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Germany, Consul General Ivy Banzon Abalos awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Gross today at the Consulate.

For over 40 years, Mr. Gross has generously supported visiting Filipino choral groups, significantly enriching the cultural landscape of Germany. His dedication has greatly strengthened the bond between the two nations, promoting mutual respect and understanding through the arts. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL HOLDS INFO SESSION ON MWO-OWWA, SSS AND PAG-IBIG SERVICES IN FRANKFURT

As part of its financial literacy awareness and community engagement program, the Philippine Consulate General held an information session on the services of the MWO-OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG in St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt in coordination with the Filipino Catholic Community of Frankfurt headed by Rev. Father Francis Ofrancia.

Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. welcomed the attendees and encouraged them to take advantage of the presence of the resource speakers from different agencies who travelled from Berlin, Germany and Milan, Italy to share information and updates on their respective services.

Among those who delivered presentations were MWO-Berlin OIC Ms. Delia Palomar, OWWA Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, Pag-IBIG Member Services Officer Ms. Mylene Lontoc and SSS Foreign Representative Mary Jessielyn Sia.

Agency representatives held individual consultations after the program to respond to specific inquiries mostly on the status of their membership and personal contributions.
The Consulate hopes that information obtained by attendees during the forum could assist and guide Filipinos in Germany when planning to invest their hard-earned money for their future and retirement.

The MP2 savings program of the Pag-IBIG and Pension Booster of the SSS both offer higher interests and are tax-free. Meanwhile, the very minimal membership fee of the OWWA provides wider coverage and higher protection for OFWs in case of emergency situations including those that involve repatriation.
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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL HOLDS INFO SESSION ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN WIESBADEN

As part of its information drive on dual citizenship services, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held its second info session on Republic Act 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Reacquisiton Act of 2003) at the parish hall of St. Andreas Church in Wiesbaden. The event aimed to inform the public of the procedures and requirements for applying for dual citizenship. Around a hundred people mostly former Filipinos and naturalized Germans attended the forum.

After their presentations, Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr., Consul Cecille Joyce Lao and Mr. Alvar Rosales responded to questions during the open forum and individual queries after the program. The event in Wiesbaden was made possible with the support of Mr. Tony Naluz and council members of the Filipino Catholic Community in Wiesbaden and Filipino Chaplain Father Francis Ofrancia.

The Consulate has been receiving numerous applications for dual citizenship from former natural-born Filipinos and naturalized Germans since the German Law on the Modernization of Nationality Law (StARMoDG) took effect on June 27. END

Colorful Opening Ceremony Kicks Off Pinoy Basketball League in Stuttgart

Filipino sports enthusiasts trooped to Ruth Endress Halle in Stuttgart to witness the much-awaited opening ceremony of the Pinoy Basketball League. The tournament, organized by Mr. Joey Maniaol, Jr., will see teams from Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Reutlingen, Freiburg, Munich, Ichenhausen and Frankfurt competing against each other on August 3 and 17.

Ms. Rhodaliza Steegmaier, representing the Philippine Honorary Consul in Baden-Württemberg, welcomed the participating teams wearing their colorful jerseys and their families. In his invocation, Rev. Father Jonathan Ramoso of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Stuttgart reminded the players that their talents are gifts from the Lord and that everyone should be always be treated with respect.

Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva Jr. of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt led the ceremonial toss marking the official start of the Pinoy Basketball League in Stuttgart. Officials from the Migrant Workers Office in Berlin led by Officer-in-Charge Ms. Delia Palomar also graced the opening ceremony. END

Philippine Consulate General Holds Info Session on Dual Citizenship in Frankfurt

As part of its information drive on dual citizenship services, the Philippine Consulate General held an info session at the parish hall of St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt. The event was aimed at informing the public that the Consulate has begun accepting applications for reacquisition of Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 from former Filipinos who were naturalized as German citizens.
Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. welcomed the attendees numbering over a hundred, some of whom travelled more than two hours to reach the venue in Frankfurt. Consul Cecille Joyce Lao delivered a comprehensive and in-depth presentation on the requirements and procedures in applying for dual citizenship.
To encourage former Filipinos to take advantage of the latest changes in German citizenship law allowing dual citizenship, Atty. Alvar Rosales outlined the benefits and advantages of being a Filipino citizen such as the right to vote, hold a Philippine passport, practice one’s profession and own properties in the Philippines while addressing some issues on payment of taxes.

The open forum that followed the presentations allowed the attendees to ask questions and clarify certain requirements especially documents which need to be sourced from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The event in Frankfurt was made possible with the support of Father Francis Ofrancia and volunteers from the Filipino Catholic Community in Frankfurt. The Consulate intends to hold info sessions in other areas to enhance public awareness on the process of reacquiring Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 which has been made possible for former natural-born Filipinos and naturalized Germans as a result of the German Law on the Modernization of Nationality Law (StARMoDG) which took effect on June 27. END