Frankfurt am Main, 19 September 2025 — Sincerely Yours, the Philippines, a festival of contemporary Philippine performance, opened at Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm as part of the cultural program for the Philippines’ Guest of Honour role at the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM) 2025. Mousonturm, one of Germany’s leading independent production houses, organized the 11-day festival as a platform to feature the boldness and diversity of Philippine contemporary art.
The opening featured remarks from Anna Wagner, co-artistic director of Mousonturm; Gesche Joost, President of the Goethe-Institut; festival curator Eisa Jocson; and Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos, who emphasized the significance of experimental and independent art in offering a contextual and multi-faceted understanding of the Philippines. The keynote was delivered by Jaya Jacobo, trans-feminist poet, scholar, and theorist, who reflected on the festival’s themes of identity, migration, and cultural imagination.
The Mousonturm space was transformed by installation artist Leeroy New with recycled plastic works accented by familiar Filipino details. The evening concluded with the premiere of the Filipino Superwoman Band, a performance exploring the history of Filipino show bands abroad and reimagining them through experimental art.
Running until 29 September 2025, the festival underscores the importance of performance as a medium for cultural exchange, critical reflection, and international dialogue. Curated by Eisa Jocson and organized by Mousonturm, the event is also supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as part of the Philippines’ Guest of Honour program at FBM 2025. END