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In collaboration with the Katolische Hochschule Gemeinde (KHG) and Goethe University in Frankfurt, Post organized a dialogue among German academics, focusing on the exchange of ideas catalyzed by the literary works of Filipino author and journalist Criselda Yabes. The session focused on the themes of peace, military, and politics showcased in Yabes’ writings such as “Peace Warriors: On the Trail with Filipino Soldiers,” “Battle of Marawi,” “Serena’s Story,” “Boys from the Barracks,” and “Crying Mountain,” among others. She underscored the profound impact literature can have in challenging societal paradigms and fostering positive change. She passionately articulated her motivations behind each narrative, offering a nuanced perspectives of Mindanao-related topics drawn from her childhood experiences and journalistic career covering the region. She also featured a selection of books on Mindanao, the majority of which were written by foreign authors.

In her remarks during the event, Vice Consul Fatima Mueller reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a ‘culture of peace’ emphasizing that the literary works of Criselda Yabes and other Filipino authors whose narratives celebrate cultural diversity, dialogue, reconciliation and understanding could nurture a ‘culture of peace’ that leads to a more harmonious society. END

The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held its first consular outreach mission for the year last 20 April at St. Winfried Church in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Consul Cecille Lao led the outreach team in providing almost 200 consular services to the Filipino-German community in the region, consisting of passport, legalization, civil registry, overseas voters registration, and assistance-to-nationals services.

The Philippine Migrant Workers‘ Office in Berlin (MWO-Berlin), led by Officer-in-Charge Delia Palomar, as well as Tourism Attaché Mr. Dakila Gonzales of the Department of Tourism Office in Frankfurt (DOT-Frankfurt) also participated in the outreach event to extend labor-related services to Overseas Filipino Workers in Germany and to promote the Department of Tourism’s Love the Philippines campaign.

Based on the latest regional statistical reports, there are approximately 6,495 Filipinos living in North Rhine-Westphalia, the second largest number of Filipino residents in Germany after Bavaria.

The outreach event was made possible through the assistance of Father Rodel Liguid of the Filipino Chaplaincy in the Archdiocese of Cologne, Filcom leader Ays Espiritu, and volunteers from the Filipino-German community.

The Consulate General will hold its next consular outreach activity in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg to bring consular services closer to the Filipino-German community in the region. (END)

 

Holger Wank, Head Librarian of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at Goethe University shares the library’s special collection on the Philippines to Consul General Ivy Banzon Abalos. The collection included books, audi0-visual Current discussions between the Goethe University and the Philippine Consulate centered on how the Consulate could contribute to expanding the Philippine collection in line with the PH’s Guest of Honor showcase during the 2025 Frankfurt Buchmesse.

In his briefing on the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, Deputy Consul General Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. rallied the members of the Filipino Community to the President’s call for transformation by ending the culture of negativity, becoming self-affirming and mutually-encouraging people, and trusting the government while doing their part as good citizens.

Deputy Consul General Villanueva highlighted the positive aspects of the Filipino diaspora and potential of overseas Filipinos to contribute to their host country. Emphasizing that overseas Filipinos are known for their competence, adaptability, resilience and compassion, he exhorted the Filipino community to continuously strive for excellence.

During the meeting, Consul Cecille Lao delivered a presentation on consular services and provided information on frequently asked questions on passport and notarial applications, civil registration and dual citizenship. She addressed several inquiries pertaining to Germany’s new Modernisation of Nationality Law.

Other agencies that participated in the meeting with the Filipino Community and delivered presentations include the Migrant Workers Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration based in Berlin and Department of Tourism – Frankfurt. The Pag-IBIG Fund representative in London also participated via Zoom.

More than a hundred members of the Filipino Community under the Archdiocese of Cologne attended the Town Hall Meeting held in the community hall of St. Winfried Church which was preceded by the Filipino Mass officiated by Father Rodel Liguid SVD.

In observance of the lenten season and as part of its “INKspiration” series to promote Filipino-authored books to the Filipino community in Germany, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt organized a guided reflection entitled, “INKtertwined: Exploring Faith in Philippine Literature” featuring the religious-themed novel “White Lady, Black Christ” by Filipino author Charlson Ong. Guided by Frankfurt-based Filipino priest Father Francis Ofrancia, the reflection explored the intersection of religious themes in Philippine literature from both religious and layman’s perspectives through the lens of the featured novel, culminating in an exchange among Filipino community members on how religious beliefs shape the Filipino narrative and literary heritage. END

 

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