Consulate General of the Philippines Frankfurt

Frankfurt PCG Joins Santo Niño Event in Sank Agustin, North Rhine-Westphalia

20 January – At the invitation of Father Rodel Liguid of the Archdiocese of Cologne, personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt joined the annual celebration of the feast of the Santo Niño in Sank Agustin, North Rhine-Westphalia. Consul Rogelio Villanueva Jr. led the Consulate team composed of Lolita Balansag, Violeta Bautista, Susanie Gonzales, and Rene Mangune, POLO Assistant.

In his remarks during the program, Consul Villanueva highlighted the Filipino people’s strong devotion to the Santo Niño as expressed in various forms such as the renowned Sinulog in Cebu, Ati-Atihan in Aklan and Dinagyang in Iloilo. He added that Filipino communities around the world also hold their respective celebrations of the Feast of the Santo Niño.

Members of Filipino communities from various cities in North Rhine-Westphalia follow the image of the Santo Niño during the procession around the vicinity of the Steyler Missionare during the celebration of the feast of the Santo Niño fiesta in Sank Agustin last 19 January. Upper right photo shows Consulate personnel joining the procession.

The Filipino tradition of paying homage to the Child Jesus traces its roots in Cebu when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan presented an image of the Santo Niño to Rajah Humabon. Every year during the month January, the feast of the Santo Niño is celebrated by Filipino Catholic communities across Germany. Father Liguid asked the participants of this year’s celebration to pray for the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.

Consulate personnel assist applicants for the Overseas Voting registration while Mr. Rene Mangune responds to queries on POLO services.

The Consulate team took advantage of the visit to conduct registration for the Overseas Voting as well as provide information on POLO-OWWA services. There were twenty-two registrants for the Overseas Voting.

There are an estimated 4,200 Filipinos living in North Rhine-Westphalia. – END

Consul Rogelio Villanueva Jr. addresses the audience during the cultural program.

FILIPINO CRAFTSMANSHIP TO TAKE CENTERSTAGE IN GERMAN LIFESTYLE EVENT

The country’s creative edge in producing distinctly designed handcrafted products takes centerstage once again as Philippine manufacturers join Ambiente 2020 this coming 7-11 February 2020, at Messe Frankfurt, Germany.

Under the LifestylePhilippines brand, 24-strong furniture and home décor manufacturers that represent some of the artisan regions in the country will highlight handcrafted and consciously-made products that speak of story and purpose.

The participation’s key messaging for this year is “Hands That Work.” This direction presents a celebration of the innate capabilities of Filipinos to create the most design-driven yet functional pieces from natural and sustainable raw supplies and even from old and considered as waste materials. The participation will highlight the artistic and capable hands of local manufacturers that harnessed different material manipulation techniques to create exquisite products globally used and appreciated today.

To know more about the country’s upcoming participation in Ambiente 2020, please visit http://www.manilafame.com/♦

Mayor of Wilhemsfeld Graces Commemoration of Rizal’s Martyrdom

Mayor Christoph Oeldorf graced the commemoration of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine national hero, which was organized by the Heidelberg/Wilhelmsfeld Chapter of the Knights of Rizal this 30th of December at Wilhelmsfeld’s Rizal Park. Filipinos from as far way as Switzerland, France and Saudi Arabia joined the event.

In their remarks, Mayor Oeldorf and Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal Dr. Reinhold Lovenich recalled the ideals that Rizal propagated and the close relationships he had with German mentors. Dr. Lovenich also underscored Rizal’s desire to be in solidarity with the common Filipino during his time and unite his countrymen.

Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, in her remarks, thanked the Knights of Rizal for the occasion to pay tribute to our national hero. She mentioned that the late, revered Philippine historian, Father Horacio de la Costa, described Dr. Rizal as an “outstanding moral figure” who placed a high premium on truth. Father de la Costa called him a “ builder of a nation,” – the Filipino nation.

Consul General Garcia stated that it was heartwarming to know that other nationalities admired and praised our national hero as a great thinker during his time. While she thanked them for promoting Dr. Rizal and his ideals, Consul General Garcia added that the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt would be more than happy to cooperate with them in this endeavor.

The event was capped by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal statue in Wilhelmsfeld Park. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN FRANKFURT CELEBRATES ITS FIRST SIMBANG GABI WITH FILIPINO-GERMAN COMMUNITY

17 December 2019 – In celebration of the Christmas season, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt sponsored the first of the nine nights of the “Simbang Gabi” on 16 December 2019 at St. Ignatius Church and hosted a simple reception for the members of the Filipino-German community.

The Filipino Catholic Community of St. Ignatius Church holds the 9-day Christmas dawn masses annually. This year’s Simbang Gabi is being celebrated by Fr. Mario Estrella of the Archdiocese of Bistum Limburg.
After the Mass, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia explained the cultural significance of the Simbang Gabi. She also expressed appreciation to the members of the Filipino community for their support to the Consulate’s activities this year and expressed hope that they will continue to work closely with the Consulate in the coming year.

Meanwhile, in commemoration of the 123rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal with the theme, “Jose Rizal: Huwaran ng Pilipino sa Ikadalawampu’t Isang Siglo,” Consul General Austria-Garcia also took the opportunity to encourage the Filipino-German church-goers to revisit the life and work of Dr. Jose Rizal through the art exhibition of our national hero currently running at the Consulate. She also expressed hope that the exhibit would arouse reflection on Rizal and allow people to pay him tribute. She invited the public to visit the exhibition which opened last 9 December 2019.

The Simbang Gabi event was attended by some 100 Filipino-German community members as well as other Frankfurt-based expatriates. It was capped with a reception featuring Filipino delicacies. END