Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia met with Saarland State Secretary Jurgen Lennartz and Head of International Cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Saarland Oliver Groll on 24 May 2019 at Saarbrücken, Saarland. The Consul General took the opportunity to inform them of the Consulate’s re-opening as a manifestation of the Philippine Government’s interest to further enhance economic, cultural and people-to-people relations with Germany.
22 May 2019- In celebration of the National Heritage Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany, held an exhibit and lecture on Rizal delivered by a well-known German Rizalista, Dr. Fritz Hack Ullmer, on 21 May 2019 at the Consulate General’s new office.
Dr. Fritz Hack Ullmer, an ardent German Rizalista delivers his lecture on Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany German Rizalista on 21 May 2019. Rare Rizaliana items from the Ullmer Collection were also exhibited at the Consulate General’s new office.
With this year’s theme, “Mga Pinuno Para sa Pamana” (Leaders for Heritage), Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia urged the members of the Filipino community in Southern Germany to take the lead in preserving and promoting their cultural heritage despite being thousands of miles away from home. She underscored the life led by the country’s national hero and great Filipino leader Jose Rizal, who was inspired to write the poem, To the Flowers of Heidelberg, as a manifestation of his patriotism even in a faraway land.
During the lecture entitled, “Footsteps of Rizal in Southern Germany: Why did Rizal Come to Heidelberg?,” Dr. Ullmer shared his knowledge and insights on Rizal’s stay in Heidelberg and Wilhemsfeld, Germany. He passionately spoke of how Rizal was welcomed in the house of German Pastor Karl Ullmer, who was the speaker’s grandfather. He expounded on Rizal’s efforts to finalize the Noli Me Tangere during that time.
Dr. Ullmer, in response to Consul General Garcia’s remarks thanking him on the loaned rare Rizaliana items, gladly declared that they are “a gift” to the Consulate.
The blessing ceremony and tour of the new office immediately followed the lecture. The guests were led to Post’s exhibition area where selected furniture items from the guest room of Pastor Karl Ullmer that were used by Rizal were displayed.
The exhibit items include a mirror and table, cabinet, cupboard, dresser, and bed. Interestingly, it is believed that Rizal finished his novel “Noli Me Tangere“ using the table that was displayed at the Consulate.
The Consulate’s National Heritage Month activities also coincided with the blessing of its new office with Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Wilhemsfeld Mayor Christian Oeldorf among the special guests. Some 100 Filipino-German community members attended both events.
The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held the blessing of its new office with Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega and leaders of the Filipino-German community in attendance.
The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt is housed at Westend Carree, Grüeneburgweg 16-18, 60322 Frankfurt.
17 May 2019 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt welcomed yesterday consular applicants to its new Chancery located at Westendcarree, 1 st floor, Grueneburgweg 16-18, 60322 Frankfurt. The new office comprises almost 800 square meters of floor space in a modern building in the city’s Westend district.
Pictured above are (l-r) the Consulate’s reception area, exhibit hall and conference room.
“The Filipino-German community will benefit from the larger space and new facilities of the Consulate,” said Father Rodel Liguid, one of the first consular applicants to arrive. Fr. Liguid serves as chaplain of the Archdiocese of Cologne whose jurisdiction includes Bonn where a significant number of Filipinos reside. “The Consulate will now be able to cater to a
larger audience and host more community events in its premises,” he added.
Another applicant, Rosalie Schmid, said, “I am very happy to visit the new office of the Consulate in Frankfurt.” A native of Cebu, Ms. Schmid travelled over four hours by car from Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria. She added, “We no longer have to travel long hours to apply for passports at the Embassy in Berlin.”
Personnel from the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt man the Consular Section counters.
Clients await for their turn to be served at the Consulate.
“The new office is a testament to the sincere desire of the Philippine Government, through the initiative and full support of Senator Loren Legarda, to provide quality consular services using the best facilities to all Filipinos,” said Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia. The Consulate was reopened in 2018 after a six-year absence from the bustling German
economic metropolis. “The Consulate’s reopening is also a manifestation of the Duterte Administration’s commitment to further improve Philippine-German relations, which is anchored on our vibrant Filipino-German community and strong trade ties,” Consul General Garcia underscored. END
In an effort to promote the country’s culinary tradition and in celebration of the Filipino Food Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany hosted a mini-food festival featuring Filipino dishes on 26 April 2019, at the Consulate’s consular area. The event, dubbed as Salu-Salo sa Konsulado, featured native and fusion Filipino dishes such as Sinigang Popcorn, Kinilaw in a Crunchy Tartlette, Adobo Lumpia, Pancit Bihon, Beef Salpicao, Pork Hamonado, and ube desserts.
Employees of German companies located on the same floor of the Consulate General’s office participated in the event and enjoyed the Philippine dishes. “This is my first time to taste Filipino food and it is really good,” one of the foreign guests said. A short video on Philippine food, previously launched on Frankfurt PCG’s FB page, was also shown during the event.
Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. and his wife Anna pose with members of the Filipino-German Dance Team which competed during the United Dance Organisation (UDO-Germany) Championships in Congresscentrum Pforzeim last April 13. Also in the picture is Mr. Kevin Orteza, proud parent of two members of the team.
The members of the Filipino-German Dance Team show off their winning performance during the UDO-Germany Championships. The team, which was trained by noted Berlin-based Filipino dance instructor Mr. Jeffrey Jimenez, won the under-14 category competition to qualify and represent Germany for the UDO World Championship to be held in Blackpool in August this year.
The members of the Filipino-German Dance Team deliver a sterling performance in the under-18 category during the UDO-Germany Championships. The team was trained by Team Recycled dance group member Devin Ash-Quainor and Samet Bal from the TV series “Spotlight” in Nickelodeon.
Filipino teen Zion James Orteza shows off his award as third place winner in the solo under-16 intermediate category.
Consul Rogelio Villanueva Jr. processes the civil registry application of a Filipina married to a German while Ms. Rayelle Honey Dy-Fabroa guides a passport applicant for the photo capture during the consular outreach mission at the Holiday Inn Stuttgart last April 6.
Stuttgart, 08 April 2019 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt (PCG Frankfurt) conducted its first Consular Outreach Mission at the Holiday Inn Stuttgart last April 6. Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led the outreach team in providing passport, notarials, civil registry and other consular services. Labor Attaché Atty. Delmer Cruz from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Geneva participated in the event and conducted information campaign on OWWA services.
Consulate personnel team up to assist a mother during the photo capture of her baby.
Left photo: Consulate personnel assist applicants for civil registry and notarials. Right photo: Labor Attache Atty Delmer Cruz briefs an Overseas Filipino worker on the services of OWWA.
Members of the Filipino-German community in Stuttgart and nearby areas took advantage of the outreach mission in Stuttgart to avail of consular services. A total of 55 services were rendered during the event. Based on the latest regional statistical reports, there are approximately 3,700 Filipinos living in Baden-Württemberg, the second largest number of Filipino residents within Germany. The Consulate General has scheduled a number of outreach missions throughout the year to bring consular services closer to the members of the Filipino-German community. – END
Stuttgart, 15 March 2019 – Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia undertook a 2-day visit to Stuttgart from 11 to 12 March 2019 to meet with leaders of the Filipino community and business chamber representatives. Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, one of seven states under the consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt.
Approximately 20 leaders of the Filipino-German community attended the dinner hosted by Consul General Austria-Garcia upon her arrival. Joining the group was Dr. Axel Neuhmar, Philippine Consul a.h. to Baden-Württemberg, and Consular Assistant, Ms. Rhodaliza Capuno-Steegmaier. The gathering was an opportunity for the Consul General to enumerate the Consulate’s planned activities for 2019 and listen to the concerns of community members.
Consul General Austria-Garcia (2nd from right) and Dr. Neuhmar (seated 2nd from left) meet with leaders of the Filipino-German community in Baden-Württemberg.
On March 12, Dr. Neuhmar welcomed the Consul General and her team to the Honorary Consulate, where they were apprised of the office’s consular work, the make-up of the Filipino community in Baden-Württemberg, and possible avenues for the further promotion of Philippine interests in the state. An accomplished attorney specializing in commercial and corporate law, Dr. Neuhmar was appointed to the position in 2017. He is ably assisted by Ms. Steegmaier.
Dr. Neuhmar, Consul a.h. (center), briefs officials of the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt, led by Consul General Garcia of the work of the Honorary Consulate and its activities in Baden-Württemberg.
Consul General Austria-Garcia also met with Messrs. Tassilo Zywietz and Julio Neto of the Foreign Trade Department of the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). Discussions took place concerning the Philippine Government’s economic programs and the Consulate’s trade and investment promotion efforts this year.
Above photo shows (l-r) Mr. Julio Neto, IHK-Stuttgart Foreign Trade Department Deputy Head, Dr. Neumahr, Consul a.h., Consul General Austria-Garcia, Mr. Tassilo Zywietz, IHK-Stuttgart Foreign Trade Department Head, and Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez.
Later in the evening, Consul General Garcia attended a reception at the city’s Neues Schloss hosted by the Minister President of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Hon. Winfried Kretschmann, for members of the Consular Corps. In his remarks, Minister President Kretschmann underscored the important role of foreign consuls in bridging differences and fostering understanding among peoples.
Baden-Württemberg is Germany’s third-largest state, with an area of 13,800 square miles and 11 million inhabitants. Regional statistics indicate the presence of approximately 3,700 Filipino residents in Baden-Württemberg. The state is among the country’s most progressive, with small-and-medium enterprises dominating its economy. It is also home to the headquarters of large business conglomerates such as Daimler, Porsche, Bosch and SAP.
Philippine Consul General to Frankfurt Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia (right), along with Vice Consul Fatima Mejilla C. Mueller (left), attended the opening of the Philippine booth at this year’s International Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin last 6 March. The Philippine booth at this year’s Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB) was designed by world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue (center).
Consul General to Frankfurt Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia (second from left, first row) conveyed to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (third from right, first row) and Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Q. Tan (third from left, first row) the efforts of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt in promoting Philippine tourism in the areas under its jurisdiction. Some 20 private travel agencies from the Philippines participated in this year’s Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB) Berlin. (Frankfurt PCG photo)
Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. responds to questions from members of the Filipino-German Community during a town hall meeting in Munich on 17 February 2019. (Frankfurt PCG photo)
MUNICH 22 February 2019 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. received a rousing reception from members of the Filipino-German Community in Munich during a town hall meeting at the Maritim Hotel on 17 February 2019.
Organized by the newly-opened Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, which counts Bavaria among the German states under its consular jurisdiction, the event was attended by some 120 Filipinos and Filipino-Germans who now call Germany their second home.
Secretary Locsin took time from his participation in the Munich Security Conference to engage with the Filipino Community in a town hall setting.
“We are happy that the Secretary met with us during his stay here, as no other high-level public official had done so in the recent past,” said Velvet Tkocz, a former Filipina who has been in the country for over 40 years.
The Secretary underscored the Duterte Administration’s efforts to make government services more accessible to the public.
“The past administration closed embassies and consulates. We believe in opening them,” Secretary Locsin said. He also pledged to continue reducing documentary requirements and simplifying procedures in availing of consular services.
Moreover, he cited the recent entry into force of the Philippines-Germany Social Security Agreement and the Triple Win Project among programs concluded in pursuit of the welfare of overseas Filipinos.
Secretary Locsin also entertained questions from the audience, whose queries ranged from the acquisition of Senior Citizens’ identification cards to the full automation of the passport renewal application process.
Among the other guests in attendance were Honorary Consul Stefan Detig and former Honorary Vice Consul Jutta Hippelein, who served in the capacity for over four decades. Leaders of Filipino-German organizations throughout Bavaria also graced the occasion.
“We are happy to attend activities like this, as they serve to unify the community and enable us to meet and network with our fellow countrymen in the area,” said Aian Angeo, the Munich-based President of the Filipino Nurses Association in Germany.
In her introductory remarks, Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia apprised the audience of developments concerning the Consulate General’s establishment. The Consulate General was opened in the latter part of 2018, with consular services being rendered to the public beginning last January. END