October 2020 – The National Book Development Board (NBDB) held its “Frankfurter Buchmesse- All Together Now Culminating Event at the Philippine Exhibit” last 17 October, where, among other speakers, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia delivered a message. Also participating was Vice Consul Fatima Mejilla C. Mueller, who represented the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt during the live discussion via Zoom and streamed live on NBDB and Consulate’s Facebook pages.

The Consul General congratulated NBDB and reiterated Consulate’s support in promoting and seeking new markets globally for the work of Filipino authors and Philippine publishers. She also conveyed the Consulate’s commitment to assist the Philippine delegation in the FBF as well as appreciation to Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, who also took part in the online activity, for her patronage of the country’s arts and culture through important global events such as the Book Fair.

NBDB Chair Dante Ang delivered the welcome remarks and apprised viewers of the Board’s efforts and achievements in support of the Philippine publishing industry. He expressed optimism as well that with the switch to e-books and e-commerce, the local publishing industry will increase its sales and continue to grow.

In her remarks, Deputy Speaker Legarda, a staunched advocate of the Philippine participation in the FBF, expressed her continued support to the Philippine publishing industry through “additional funding or in her personal capacity so wider global markets may be reached.” She also reiterated the Philippines’ aspiration to obtain the Country Guest of Honor status in the Fair in the next few years. For his part, Congressman Christopher de Venecia, a convenor of the Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress, underscored “the role of books in creativity, technology, trade, education and culture,” and encouraged the local publishing industry “to write and publish the story of the Filipino creative industries.”

Meanwhile, Ambassador Ma. Theresa de Vega recalled last year’s different sessions hosted by the Philippine delegation. She also highlighted developments in the publishing sector among ASEAN countries and expressed satisfaction on “the innovative output from the various sectors of the Philippine publishing industry, including children’s books” this year. The Ambassador hopes that “an even greater number of individuals and publishing companies will be present in the coming editions of the FBF as the Philippines continues to work to become a country of focus in the future.”

During the book launching part of the program, NBDB presented three publishers from different book genres. Mr. Paolo Herras of Komiket spoke of local comics and the expansion of the art market expansion with growing readership in order to sustain the comic art industry. He also presented the finalists for the Call for Entries for Graphic Novels for the Komiket Award for the Philippine International Comics Festival next year. Another guest publisher, Ms. Montenejo presented four titles in the Adarna House’s Batang Katutubo Series, which featured children from the different indigenous groups in the Philippines. These picture books were Gustong Mag-aral ni Sula, Ang Paaralan ni Fuwan, Bahay ng Marami’t Masasayang Tinig and Si Laleng at ang Lakbay Paaralan. Lastly, ABC EDC Publishing House presented renowned children’s book author Ms. Mary Ann Ordinario’s latest work entitled, Home is Where the Heart Lives, a story about making right choices in responding to unfortunate situations and uncertainties.

To complement the NBDB’s efforts in promoting the local publishing industry, the Consulate launched on its social media pages seven children’s e-books/videos which aim to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19. The e-books address topics, such as how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus infection and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality. These e-books are published online by Department Human and Family Development Studies (DHFDS) of the College of Human Ecology (CHE) and recommended by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. END

Karlsruhe, Germany – The Philippines was among the most decorated countries in this year’s Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards & Certification Ceremony, which was held at the Achat Hotel in Karlsruhe, Germany on 30 September 2020.

The Sustainable Finance Awards honor financial institutions and related organizations with significant contributions to the field of sustainable banking and finance. The awards aim to provide recognition to financial institutions that have successfully embedded economic, social and environmental sustainability into their organizational culture and honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the field of sustainable finance, among other objectives.

Three financial institutions from the Philippines were recognized during the ceremony. The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) was presented the Award for “Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing for success in financing Solar-Powered Resilient Communities.” The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) was conferred a Certificate of Merit for “Best Innovation in Financial Services for success in Enhanced Environmental and Social Safeguards. And, the Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. Philippines was granted a “Sustainability Certification” by the International Council of Sustainability Standards and Certification, becoming the first Microfinance Institution to receive such a certification. Receiving the awards on behalf of the Philippine entities was Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, who extended his congratulations to the awardees. “Sustainably certified financial institutions will be guided by strategic guidelines to mobilize funds for sustainable goals, including climate protection. They provide a response to the crisis, which have serious economic and social consequences,” Mayor Mentrup said in his remarks.

Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt echoed Lord Mayor Mentrup’s felicitations to the deserving recipients. “The accolades received by the Philippine financial institutions elevate the country’s status as an example for sustainable financing and recognizes the strides it has achieved to attain the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

Also present in the ceremony were the Berlin-based ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe, who accepted recognitions on behalf of financial institutions in their respective countries.

The EOSD is a body tasked to develop strategies, programs and initiatives, and undertake projects that contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy for Sustainable Development. It is a strategic partner of the host city, Karlsruhe, by supporting the internationalization of local enterprises and contributing to positioning Karlsruhe internationally as a place of innovation for sustainability. EOSD also has partnerships with government institutions, related groups such as the Association of the Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific headed by Mr. Octavio Peralta of the Philippines, and key players in the financial sector to fast-track sustainable economic development and environmental protection. (END)

 

Deputy Consul General Emilio T. Fernandez and Vice Consul and Cultural Officer Fatima Mejilla C. Mueller joined Honorary Consul Dr. Axel Neuhmar during the evening extravaganza to highlight Philippine products, fashion, dance, tourism and cuisine to some one hundred guests at the Kursaal Bad Canstatt, Stuttgart.

In his brief remarks to introduce the Philippine cultural performers, Honorary Consul Neuhmahr, expressed appreciation to the State Government for the opportunity to feature various aspects of Philippine culture, including its native products, local cuisine and tourist attractions.

During the two-part presentation, a Filipino-German cultural group Philippinisch-Deutscher Verein Nordschwarzwald impressed the audience with their performances of the ‘Tinikling’ and ‘Bagobo’ folk dances. The Department of Tourism’s “Wake up in the Philippines’ tourism videos, provided by its Office in Frankfurt, were shown prior to the performances.

The evening’s highlight featured the fashion show of Milan-based fashion designer Lionel Christian Lanuzo who dressed his Filipino and German models with meticulously-designed terno and the traditional men’s barong tagalog, made with indigenous materials such as banig, t’nalak, capiz, sigay, beads, pearls and paper foils among others.

With the assistance of the Filipino Nurses Community in Germany, the Philippine booth promoted Philippine products, tourism destinations and culinary favorities, lumpia and biko. Post’s representatives were also able to attend to queries from those asking about the current travel restrictions in the Philippines.

The Long Night of the Consulates, staged for the first time, was organized by the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg and the Ministry for Justice and Europe Baden-Württemberg under the leadership of Minister Guido Wolf. It was the central event of numerous projects under the theme “Na klar, zusammen halt” (Of course, we stick together).

Twenty five Consulates based in Stuttgart collaborated with the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, Europahaus, and the state capital to achieve their goal of “making diversity of nations come alive during the one-night event.” The sites of the activities were scattered throughout the city to ensure social distancing. END

11 September 2020 – As part of its virtual cultural diplomacy initiatives and in support of the Filipino artists affected by the pandemic, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, in partnership with Transwing Art Gallery, launched today an online art exhibition with an opening event streamed live on its Facebook page.

The online exhibition entitled, “Envisioning Healing and Inspiration from Abroad: Overseas Filipinos Supporting Filipino Artists in Times of Pandemic,” featured the artwork of self-taught Filipino artists from Transwing Art Gallery. The art pieces represent the responses of these artists to the pandemic, or the so-called ‘pandemic art.’ They show different emotions of the artists, including expressions of pain and anguish which could turn into hope and healing. A total of 31 art pieces from different artists were showcased during the online exhibition.

In her remarks during the opening event, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria Garcia said, “It is vital that we recognize and protect the work of our artists both for their economic well-being and for the preservation of a part of our culture.” The Consul General further called on Filipino-Germans to lend their support to Filipino artists especially in these unprecedented times. “Let us ensure that they emerge even more nuanced and vibrant,” she added.

It is hoped that through this virtual art exhibition, the audience may find another means to cope up with the anxiety and stress brought about by the pandemic.

“The creativity of the featured artists is cathartic as it unleashes their pain and fears, and turns them into hopes and aspirations for a better tomorrow through their artwork,” Mr. Klaus Hartung, President of Transwing Art Gallery said during the live opening event.

Some of the notable artwork include the ‘Genesis’ oil on canvas by Kristian Karlo Gonzalez; ‘Lockdown Stories’ oil, acrylic and magazine on canvas by Joshua Villena; and ‘Colors of Valley’ acrylic on canvas by Jerelyn Donguines.

The Facebook livestreaming event garnered over 320 views during the live broadcast and stirred online interests among viewers. END