29 October 2024- Following the 2024 Buchmesse, the Philippines officially launched its role as Guest of Honour at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse with a series of impactful events from
October 24 to 27 in Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld. Spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the visionary behind the Philippines Guest of Honour role, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, the 4-day program showcased a rich array of Filipino literature, history, and art, celebrating the unique cultural bonds between the Philippines and Germany and attracting significant international attention.

The launch began with a ceremonial program at the Völkerkundemuseum in Heidelberg, featuring Philippine Ambassador to Germany H.E. Irene Susan Natividad, NBDB Executive
Director Charisse Tugade, and CCP President Kay Tinga, alongside performances by the Philippine
Madrigal Singers and indigenous artist Waway Saway. The kickoff program, which showcased Filipino writers and performance artist, set the stage for a year of activities leading up to the
Frankfurt Book Fair 2025.

The GOH kickoff program also featured Rizal walking tours in Heidelberg by historian Ambeth Ocampo dubbed ‘Lakbay Rizal’, retracing José Rizal’s experiences while studying ophthalmology, while the “Lebendes Bild” performance in Wilhelmsfeld brought scenes from Noli Me Tangere to life. The kickoff program ended with a ‘Tertulia’ where Filipino and German writers shared their perspectives about Rizal. These events underscored the vibrant dialogue between art and history as the Philippines prepares for its prominent role at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. END

21 October 2024 – The Philippines has officially assumed its role as the Guest of Honor for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, following the ceremonial handover from this year’s Guest of Honor, Italy, on 20 October 2024. The handover event marks the beginning of the Philippines’ journey into the spotlight of the global literary community. The theme for the Philippine participation, “The Imagination Peoples the Air,” inspired by national hero José Rizal’s work Noli Me Tangere, will showcase the country’s rich literary tradition and diverse cultural heritage.

The handover ceremony celebrated a cultural exchange between Italy and the Philippines, with notable speakers including Special Commissioner of the Guest of Honour 2024 Italy Mauro Mazza and Philippine ambassador Irene Susan Natividad who delivered the message of Philippine Senator and Culture Champion Loren Legarda, the force behind the country’s bid to be the Guest of Honor at the Buchmesse. As a unique opportunity to share with the world the nation’s story of “creativity, resilience, and collective hope”, the Filipino narratives will include the perspectives of the indigenous peoples in the country and the Filipino diaspora all over the world. The program included performances from The Philippine Madrigal Singers and musician Waway Saway, as well as presentations by Filipino illustrator Isabel Roxas and Italian artist Alessandro Sanna.

The handover will be followed by a Filipino cultural program in Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld from 24 to 27 October 2024 that will serve as the official launch of the Philippine term as Buchmesse Guest of Honor. Highlights will include the Lakbay Rizal Walking Tour led by renowned Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo, talks by authors, and a concert featuring The Philippine Madrigal Singers and Waway Saway. The Philippine literary and cultural program will then culminate at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair. END

This year’s celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Steyler Missionare, Sankt Agustin brought together members of the Filipino Catholic Communities of Bergheim, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Euskirchen, Gummersbach, Hennef, Mönchengladbach, Siegburg and Wuppertal in praying for the intercession of the San Lorenzo Ruiz during the Holy Mass officiated by Father Rodel Liguid, Filipino Chaplain of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led Consulate personnel during the festivities honoring the first Filipino saint. END

Addressing the members of the Filipino Catholic Community in Limburg, Westerburg and Diez (FCC Limburg) during their 25th Anniversary Celebration, Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. highlighted the unity, bayanihan spirit and deep religious devotion that has bound the members of the community. He also lauded the pioneers of FCC Limburg for remaining dedicated and serving as inspiration for the younger members of the community.

Father Francis Ofrancia, Filipino Chaplain and Father Mares Estrella, former Filipino Chaplain who travelled from the Philippines, led the faithful in commemorating this important milestone through a Holy Mass followed by an anniversary program where they also delivered their inspirational messages.

Established in 1999 under the spiritual guidance of Father Fernando Santos SVD, the FCC Limburg, under the able leadership of Filipino coordinator Ms. Niza Weihs, has grown to become an active member of the larger Filipino Catholic Community in Bistum Limburg, together with the communities of Bad Homburg, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Wetzlar.

The members of the FCC Limburg showcased their talents through their impressive performance in their colorful buri-style costume during the Ube Fiesta event held in Wiesbaden, Hessen last June 15. END

17 September- The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, in partnership with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), today hosted an inspiring book presentation that captivated German readers with the rich narratives of Philippine literature.

During the online book presentation, NBDB Director Anthony John Balisi and NBDB German consultant Baerbel Baecker explored universal yet distinctly Filipino themes in Philippine literature, such as colonial legacy, family, migration, identity, and resilience. The event introduced the German audience to both revered Filipino literary icons such as Jose Rizal and Nick Joaquin and rising contemporary authors such as Patricia Evangelista and Jessica Hagedorn, with the hope of sparking a growing interest in their works among German readers.

Meanwhile, Vice Consul Fatima Mueller emphasized that Filipino stories of struggle, perseverance, and identity, along with themes of social justice, migration, and the environment, resonate deeply with any audience. She added that these narratives draw meaningful parallels with global issues while offering fresh, uniquely Filipino perspectives.

As the Philippines prepares to be the Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the event set the tone for a vibrant literary exchange between the Philippines and Germany. END

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

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

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

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