26 May 2023 – In celebration of the National Heritage Month and order to expand exposure to Philippine history and culture of German universities, Frankfurt PCG conducted a lecture in the University of Cologne and presented the eskrima/arnis exhibition as well as promoted Filipino adobo and ube during the “Asia Festival” in Ruhr University in Bochum (RUB) on 24 and 25 May.
In coordination with Filipino professor, Dr. Luzille Satur, a lecture entitled, “Rizal from Heidelberg to Dapitan” was presented among the students of Social and Cultural Anthropology in Cologne University as well as second and third generation Filipino-Germans who were also in attendance. The discussion sparked greater interests among the participants in learning about the life of Rizal in Germany and inspired them to follow Rizal’s lead as a patriot and a man of service for the others. The lecture also served as good opportunity for second-and third-generation Filipino-Germans to connect with their Filipino heritage. Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos who attended the lecture, took the opportunity to share some insights on the life of Rizal and encouraged the students to learn more about Rizal and Philippine history, culture and society in general.
In Ruhr University in Bochum, the Consulate collaborated with the Student Council of the Faculty of East Asia Studies of the University and Eskrima International to present a public exhibition of the Filipino martial arts Inayan III System – Eskrima/Arnis during the ‘Asia Day’ event at the University. The Eskrima International, a Germany-based organization which practices and promotes the Filipino martial art Inayan System III Eskrima/Arnis showed the participants the basic moves and techniques of eskrima/arnis and educated them on the development of the martial art in the Philippines and Germany. Vice Consul Fatima Mueller expressed appreciation for the group’s dedication, skills and effort in promoting the Filipino martial arts in Germany. She also emphasized that the art of eskrima/arnis could be a great opportunity to deepen PH-German people-to-people ties as the Filipino martial arts is popular in Germany and has a number of Filipino martial arts organizations already established all over the country. END