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PHL Embassy hosts Vin d'Honneur to commemorate 114th Anniversary of PHL Independence Proclamation Print E-Mail
Written by Philippine Embassy Webmaster   
Wednesday, 20 June 2012

 

Philippine Embassy in Berlin hosts Vin d’ Honneur to commemorate the 114th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

 

Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad leads the Philippine Embassy in Berlin in commemorating the 114th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Hotel Intercontinental in Berlin.
The Philippine Embassy in Berlin hosted a Vin d’ Honneur on the occasion of the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Hotel InterContinental Berlin on June 13.  The event, celebrated with the theme “Kalayaan:Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan” (Freedom: The Accountability of a Sovereign Nation of Responsible Citizenry), drew in representatives from the diplomatic corps, the German federal government, the business community, and leaders of Filipino organizations based in Germany. High ranking officials, led by Ambassador Clemens von Götze, Head of the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) Political Department, and Ms. Birgit Ory, Director of the FFO Asia-Pacific Department, also graced the event.

 

Ambassador Natividad with honored guests: From left, Ambassador Dr. Clemens von Goetze, Head of the Political Department of the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO), Ambassador Martine Schommer of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Berlin, and Dr. Sonja von Goetze, Ambassador von Goetze’s wife and President of FFO’s diplomatic club Wilkommen in Berlin.
Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad opened the event with her National Day message. The Ambassador, speaking in both German and English, reflected on the year’s theme and said, “The message is clear: that the Filipino people, as inheritors of freedoms fought for by the heroes of our revolution, have duties and responsibilities.”

“Every Filipino, wherever he or she may be, has a role to play in the nation’s development. One duty is the commitment to follow the straight and righteous path, Our hard-earned independence comes with the responsibility to build a prosperous nation founded on truth, justice and equity,” she added.

 

In her message, the Ambassador also stressed that through his platform of good governance, President Benigno S. Aquino III was steering the Philippines towards rapid and sustainable growth. She cited the concrete gains of the President’s efforts, including the 6.4% economic growth for the first quarter, improved credit ratings, robust stock exchange, and positive economic forecasts of analysts such as HSBC.

 

Vice Consul Anna Marie de Vera, Mrs Stella Schnell of the Ladies for Rizal, and Vice Consul Azela Arumpac showcase the Philippine terno.
Noting the importance of relations with Germany in sustaining this rapid and inclusive growth, the Ambassador said: “My country considers Germany as one of its solid and invaluable partners bilaterally and in sustaining peace and prosperity for all nations.”

The event was capped with a concert featuring respected Filipino artists based  Berlin: Dr. Aberlardo Galang II, a pianist, and Bass-Baritone Jonathan dela Paz Zaens. Together, they performed a medley of traditional Filipino musical pieces and German classics. Mr. Zaens also serenaded Vice Consuls Anna Marie de Vera and Azela Arumpac and Mrs. Stella Schnell of the Ladies for Rizal who showcased their Philippine terno gowns.

 

Ambassador Natividad poses for a photo with Philippine artists Aris Bagtas (left-most) and Rafael Cusi.
As a side event, an exhibit of paintings by Filipino artists Rafael Cusi and Ernesto “Aris” Bagtas was held at the foyer of the Hotel InterContinental. The exhibit was organized by the Kunst Group of Galleries and Kunst Pilipino under the curatorship of Mr. Virgilio Cuizon.

 

Embassy officers and staff pledge allegiance to the flag on 12 June 2012.
On 12 June 2012, The Philippine Embassy also held a ceremony at the Embassy’s Bulwagang Jose Rizal with a flag ceremony, singing of the national anthem, reciting “Panunumpa sa Watawat” and reading the messages of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III and Hon. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario.  Members of the Filipino Community attended the event culminating with a Filipino breakfast.   END

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 June 2012 )