GOVPH

RIZAL MEMORABILIA GIFTED TO THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL – FRANKFURT

22 May 2019- In celebration of the National Heritage Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany, held an exhibit and lecture on Rizal delivered by a well-known German Rizalista, Dr. Fritz Hack Ullmer, on 21 May 2019 at the Consulate General’s new office.

Dr. Fritz Hack Ullmer, an ardent German Rizalista delivers his lecture on Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany German Rizalista on 21 May 2019. Rare Rizaliana items from the Ullmer Collection were also exhibited at the Consulate General’s new office.

With this year’s theme, “Mga Pinuno Para sa Pamana” (Leaders for Heritage), Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia urged the members of the Filipino community in Southern Germany to take the lead in preserving and promoting their cultural heritage despite being thousands of miles away from home. She underscored the life led by the country’s national hero and great Filipino leader Jose Rizal, who was inspired to write the poem, To the Flowers of Heidelberg, as a manifestation of his patriotism even in a faraway land.

During the lecture entitled, “Footsteps of Rizal in Southern Germany: Why did Rizal Come to Heidelberg?,” Dr. Ullmer shared his knowledge and insights on Rizal’s stay in Heidelberg and Wilhemsfeld, Germany. He passionately spoke of how Rizal was welcomed in the house of German Pastor Karl Ullmer, who was the speaker’s grandfather. He expounded on Rizal’s efforts to finalize the Noli Me Tangere during that time.

Dr. Ullmer, in response to Consul General Garcia’s remarks thanking him on the loaned rare Rizaliana items, gladly declared that they are “a gift” to the Consulate.

The blessing ceremony and tour of the new office immediately followed the lecture. The guests were led to Post’s exhibition area where selected furniture items from the guest room of Pastor Karl Ullmer that were used by Rizal were displayed.

The exhibit items include a mirror and table, cabinet, cupboard, dresser, and bed. Interestingly, it is believed that Rizal finished his novel “Noli Me Tangere“ using the table that was displayed at the Consulate.

The  Consulate’s National Heritage Month activities also coincided with the blessing of its new office with Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Wilhemsfeld Mayor Christian Oeldorf among the special guests. Some 100 Filipino-German community members attended both events.

Filipino-German Dance Team Wins the United Dance Organization (UDO-Germany) Championships in Pforzeim

Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. and his wife Anna pose with members of the Filipino-German Dance Team which competed during the United Dance Organisation (UDO-Germany) Championships in Congresscentrum Pforzeim last April 13. Also in the picture is Mr. Kevin Orteza, proud parent of two members of the team.

The members of the Filipino-German Dance Team show off their winning performance during the UDO-Germany Championships. The team, which was trained by noted Berlin-based Filipino dance instructor Mr. Jeffrey Jimenez, won the under-14 category competition to qualify and represent Germany for the UDO World Championship to be held in Blackpool in August this year.

The members of the Filipino-German Dance Team deliver a sterling performance in the under-18 category during the UDO-Germany Championships. The team was trained by Team Recycled dance group member Devin Ash-Quainor and Samet Bal from the TV series “Spotlight” in Nickelodeon.

Filipino teen Zion James Orteza shows off his award as third place winner in the solo under-16 intermediate category.

PCG FRANKFURT WELCOMES CONSULAR APPLICANTS TO NEW CHANCERY

17 May 2019 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt welcomed yesterday consular applicants to its new Chancery located at Westendcarree, 1 st floor, Grueneburgweg 16-18, 60322 Frankfurt. The new office comprises almost 800 square meters of floor space in a modern building in the city’s Westend district.

“The Filipino-German community will benefit from the larger space and new facilities of the Consulate,” said Father Rodel Liguid, one of the first consular applicants to arrive. Fr. Liguid serves as chaplain of the Archdiocese of Cologne whose jurisdiction includes Bonn where a significant number of Filipinos reside. “The Consulate will now be able to cater to a larger audience and host more community events in its premises,” he added.

Another applicant, Rosalie Schmid, said, “I am very happy to visit the new office of the Consulate in Frankfurt.” A native of Cebu, Ms. Schmid travelled over four hours by car from Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria. She added, “We no longer have to travel long hours to apply for passports at the Embassy in Berlin.”

“The new office is a testament to the sincere desire of the Philippine Government, through the initiative and full support of Senator Loren Legarda, to provide quality consular services using the best facilities to all Filipinos,” said Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia. The Consulate was reopened in 2018 after a six-year absence from the bustling German economic metropolis. “The Consulate’s reopening is also a manifestation of the Duterte Administration’s commitment to further improve Philippine-German relations, which is anchored on our vibrant Filipino-German community and strong trade ties,” Consul General Garcia underscored. END

PH Consulate General in Frankfurt Celebrates Filipino Food Month

In an effort to promote the country’s culinary tradition and in celebration of the Filipino Food Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany hosted a mini-food festival featuring Filipino dishes on 26 April 2019, at the Consulate’s consular area. The event, dubbed as Salu-Salo sa Konsulado, featured native and fusion Filipino dishes such as Sinigang Popcorn, Kinilaw in a Crunchy Tartlette, Adobo Lumpia, Pancit Bihon, Beef Salpicao, Pork Hamonado, and ube desserts.

 Employees of German companies located on the same floor of the Consulate General’s office participated in the event and enjoyed the Philippine dishes. “This is my first time to taste Filipino food and it is really good,” one of the foreign guests said.  A short video on Philippine food, previously launched on Frankfurt PCG’s FB page, was also shown during the event.