PH Embassy in Berlin Reaches Out to Filipino Community, Partners on Independence Day Amidst Pandemic
Philippine Embassy in Berlin personnel, led by Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega, hold a flag raising ceremony at the chancery. (Berlin PE photo)
BERLIN 17 June 2020 – In keeping with tradition, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin reached out to the Filipino community in Germany and its partners on Philippine Independence Day.
As the Embassy adapts to measures to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, its annual celebration went fully remote and digital, with a special video presentation featuring inspirational songs sung by Filipino performing artists and special guests both from Germany and the Philippines. The performers were classical artists Andion Fernandez-Ching and Jeffrey Ching, Berlin-based Filipino nurse Shermaine Rocacorba, and UST Singers Alumni, Mylah Ann and Jose Mari Rubio.
Philippine tokens were also sent to the Embassy’s partners in the German Government, diplomatic corps, business sector, media, academe, cultural institutions, and resource persons to thank them for the assistance that they extended in the past year.
In her Independence Day Message, Philiipine Ambassador to Germany Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega assured the public that the Embassy will continue to be of service to the Filipino community in Germany. She also paid tribute to our frontliners who continue our tradition of “commitment, passion, and service to people and country.”
Ambassador Petra Sigmund, Director General for Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Federal Foreign Office conveyed the German Government’s greetings on the special occasion. She said that “Germany will continue to be a reliable partner to the Philippines and a friend to the Filipino people.” She also thanked the contribution of Filipino health workers to her country’s efforts to overcome the pandemic.
This year’s celebration was made possible through the assistance of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Department of Tourism, National Historical Commission, and the German Federal Foreign Office.
The full video can be viewed through the following link: https://bit.ly/30FusXj.
Throughout the month of June, the Embassy will continue to stream content related to Philippine history, culture, and the arts. A commemorative event on 19 June 2020 for Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s 159th birth anniversary and tribute event for the team behind Community publication The Migrant will likewise be held on 21 June 2021. END
Upper left photo: Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega hands over a token to German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel. Upper right photo: South Korean Ambassador to Germany Dr. Jong Bum-goo with the tokens. (Berlin PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.berlinpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.de or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGermany.