12 June 2021- A flag-raising ceremony at the premises of the Consulate was held on 11 June 2021. During the ceremony, the video messages of Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda were played. It was attended by the Consulate’s personnel as well as consular applicants who were present.

Serving as the highlight of its Independence Day activities this year, The Consulate produced and showed a virtual concert entitled, “Ating Kalayaan,” on 12 June 2021. The production featured MusicArtes’ classical singers and voice actors, who performed renditions highlighting the heroic spirit of Filipinos, their sense of aspiration and hope. It was combined with multi-media displays of Philippine culture, history, heritage and tourism, among others. The virtual concert also featured a piano piece of the Philippine National Anthem by Mr. Christian Joseph Dino, a Filipino music scholar in Germany.

Among the patriotic Filipino songs from different periods featured in the concert were Kayumangging Malaya, Jocelynang Baliwag, Mutya ng Pasig, and Pilipinas Kong Mahal. One of the highlights of the concert was the poetic interpretation of Andres Bonifacio’s Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa by Filipino actor Mr. John Arcilla.

In her message, the Consul General emphasized that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan,” reminds us that freedom is something that we can achieve if we join hands together. She also underscored that “a different threat to our freedom has emerged, and that as our country and people struggle to overcome the onslaught of COVID-19 and strive to attain freedom – freedom from fear and the effects of this disease, we should overcome division and remain united so together we can continue toward the path of peace, progress and prosperity.”

As part of its pre-Independence Day activities, a virtual concert produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs was livestreamed on 11 June 2021 on the Consulate’s social media pages. The concert entitled, “Lessons for a Changed World: The Legacy of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines,” was a tribute to the independent spirit of our
country’s indigenous peoples. The special video production honored the traditional values that have allowed our indigenous peoples to survive, integrate with the bigger world, while remaining firmly rooted in their identities and collective memories. END

27 April 2021- In celebration of the National Heritage Month and as part of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt’s contribution to the ongoing 2021 Quincentennial commemorations in the Philippines, a virtual fashion exhibit entitled, “Golden Treasures: Culture, Art and Tradition of Our Filipino Ancestors,” was held today featuring the “Quincentennial-themed” collection of Filipino fashion designer Lionell Christian Lanuzo. The event was streamed live in the Consulate’s Facebook account.

During the launch of the exhibit, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia expressed hope that the Consulate would be able to raise awareness of the country’s rich pre-Hispanic history and underscoring the magnanimity, compassion and humanity of Filipinos in helping the impoverished crew of the Magellan expedition. She also thanked Mr. Lanuzo and his team for sharing their talent and skills in promoting Philippine heritage in Germany and the rest of Europe. Secretary Teodoro R. Locsin’s message for the National Quincentennial Commemorations was read by Consul Rogelio E. Villanueva.

For his part, Mr. Lanuzo expressed appreciation for the opportunity and support given by Post to showcase the talent of Filipinos abroad. He expressed optimism that through his fashion collections, a renewed consciousness of our history would be cultivated among Filipinos abroad.

The Golden Treasures collection contains elements of the Philippines’ pre-colonial past. Mr. Lanuzo, who was commissioned by the Consulate to undertake the project, drew inspiration from the 16th century Boxer Codex in showcasing the people, clothing, ornaments, and body painting of Filipinos during the 15th century. The evolution of the aesthetic image of our Filipino ancestors in the light of traditions, beliefs, and rites were the central focus of his collection.

The Consulate also set up a physical exhibit at its exhibition area featuring gold replicas and colorful illustrations of some images of the Boxer Codex and twelve of the thirty-four historical markers of the sites of the Philippine route of the Magellan-Elcano expedition. END