ENFiD, Philippine Embassy in Prague Promote Weaving Cultural Tapestries Through Storytelling

From L to R: Dr. Reysa Alenzuela of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, event moderator; Minister and Consul General lndhira Bañares ; Mr. Peter Solis Nery, Speaker; Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez; Mr. Jay-Vee Marasigan, Speaker; Mr. Andy Villafuerte Ill, Speaker and Ms. Marison Rodriguez, ENFiD Founding Member during the hybrid webinar entitled “Empowering Euro-Filipinos in the Czech Republic: Literacy and Cultural Connection Through Stories”,  held at the Philippine Embassy on 23 August 2024

PRAGUE 16 September 2024 - The European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD)-Czech Republic in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic conducted a hybrid webinar entitled “Empowering Euro-Filipinos in the Czech Republic: Literacy and Cultural Connection Through Stories”, on 23 August 2024.

The event, held in the Philippine Embassy Hall, featured as one of the speakers Palanca Hall of Farner Mr. Peter Solis Nery who spoke on the topic Transformative Literature for Cultural Understanding. Also joining as speakers are multi-awarded journalist and communications specialist Mr. Andy Villafuerte Ill who spoke on the topic Storytelling for Migrants in the Digital Age and Multimedia Journalist/Cooperator Mr. Jay-Vee Marasigan who discussed the youth’s role in digital transformation and how technology can drive sustainable change. Mr. Peñafuerte and Mr. Marasigan are candidates for graduation in the Erasmus Mundus Journalism master’s degree program at Charles University in the Czech Republic.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez acknowledged the importance of storytelling or of sharing personal narratives, or more colloquially referred to today as “pagma-marites”  in connecting communities, particularly for those living abroad through which they share collective wisdom, experiences, and the virtues that help sustain them while living abroad. Ambassador Menez also encouraged the participants to use this oral tradition of storytelling as a way of keeping the Filipino tradition of bayanihan alive especially in the Czech Republic where the Filipino community is fast growing, and whose number is expected to rise even more due to the increase in quota for work visas for Filipinos. Ambassador Menez also emphasized the Embassy’s role as a partner in implementing ENFID’s vision and the importance of cultural preservation and community engagement among the growing Filipino diaspora in the Czech Republic.

Serving as moderator of the event is Dr. Reysa Alenzuela of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, who steered the discussion on the power of storytelling in breaking cultural barriers, promoting empathy, and fostering mutual understanding between cultures.

Around 15 members of the Filipino community in the Czech Republic and Switzerland attended the event on site while others tuned in online, including Mr. Jimmy Chavez Jr., ENFiD-Czech Republic country representative who shared his insight into the challenges faced by the Filipino community in the Czech Republic and called for collective efforts to overcome these challenges.

Minister and Consul General lndhira Bañares closed the event by reminding the participants of the importance of being authentic with their storytelling for in the heartof this oral tradition lies a rich tapestry of stories in which culture, heritage and tradition are passed on and preserved through generations. END

Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez delivers the opening remarks during the hybrid webinar entitled, “Empowering Euro-Filipinos in the Czech Republic: Literacy and Cultural Connection Through Stories”, held at the Philippine Embassy on 23 August 2024

Palanca Hall of Famer Mr. Peter Solis Nery shares his insights on the topic Transformative Literature for Cultural Understanding during the hybrid webinar entitled “Empowering Euro-Filipinos in the Czech Republic: Literacy and Cultural Connection Through Stories”,  held at the Philippine Embassy on 23 August 2024.

Participants listen to event moderator Dr. Reysa Alenzuela of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences during the hybrid webinar entitled, “Empowering Euro-Filipinos in the Czech Republic: Literacy and Cultural Connection Through Stories”, held at the Philippine Embassy on 23 August 2024

For more information, visit https://www.praguepe.dfa.gov.ph    or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCzechRepublic/.