European Affairs assistant secretary Jaime Ledda (German Embassy Manila)
In what was one of the most well-attended national day celebrations since events started making a comeback, the German Embassy in Manila hosted German Unity Day on Oct. 3 at the Fairmont Makati’s Grand Ballroom.
First Lady Liza Marcos, Cabinet members, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Senators Loren Legarda and Kiko Pimentel, members of Congress, and the diplomatic corps were in attendance.
German food, beer, wines, and bubbly were on the menu bringing a taste of their rich, sometimes-overlooked, gastronomic heritage to Manila. Bread dumplings and sauerkraut transported me back to Berlin. A hearty serving of potato soup, a seemingly simple dish that’s very German in nature, was like a warm hug, especially after a couple of glasses of Riesling and sparkling rosé.
‘This example of German-Philippine cooperation shows how even small scale projects promote development, make a change in the lives of many, and inspire cooperation and partnership between Germany and the Philippines.’
Svelte and statuesque in black, German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel carried a Filipino-made clutch that evening. In her speech, she highlighted the cordial relationship between the two countries. “Germany’s relations to the Philippines comprise the cooperation in multilateral fora like the United Nations, but also a whole range of bilateral issues,” she said. “The deployment of Filipino health care workers to Germany is a big success story.”
Other areas of cooperation include peacebuilding in Mindanao, promotion of maritime rules-based order, trade and business, climate change, human rights, gender mainstreaming, and women empowerment.
Small steps to big dreams
One such cooperation is a German-funded project in Quezon City with non-governmental organization (NGO) Spark!, which creates job opportunities and income for less privileged women. “When visiting a women’s prison facility in Quezon City, I saw the female inmates producing handbags and accessories from recycled plastic in order to generate an income to support their families,” said the ambassador. “The inmates’ need for equipment was our starting point for an outreach to the German business community in Manila.” This led to sewing machine donations and a cooperation with Filipino bag designer Zarah Juan, who trained the inmates and helped them create a collection of handbags and accessories. Jorel Espina, who creates modern Filipiniana clothing, and Arnel Papa, who designs statement jewelry, are also part of the project. “In a few weeks, we will present the whole collection in a fashion show,” Reiffenstuel added while presenting models wearing pieces from all three designers. “In the spirit of sustainability, they all use locally produced or recycled materials, preserve traditional art and craftsmanship, and provide income and jobs for many communities.”
While business cooperation between the two countries often happen through bigger companies, Reiffenstuel hopes that “this example of German-Philippine cooperation shows how even small scale projects promote development, make a change in the lives of many, and inspire cooperation and partnership between Germany and the Philippines.”
The embassy and the Goethe-Institut Philippines also hosted an indie, folk pop concert at the Baluarte de San Francisco Roofdeck in Intramuros on Oct. 6. German-Filipino artists JOSEH Trio amd Filipino indie band, La Crema, performed for one night, representing the strong links between the two cultures through music.
A commitment to peace
Germany is also active in Mindanao, aiding the peace process by helping build and strengthen institutions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). They are involved in several projects that help improve livelihood, empower women, and keep the youth away from conflict.
Working with implementing partner organizations like the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany affirmed its commitment to peace not only in the Philippines but in other regions as well, including one that’s closer to home.
“So far, every National Day of Germany since 1990, was a reason to celebrate: to celebrate freedom and democracy,” the ambassador said. She noted, however, that times have changed since the aggression in Ukraine began. “This year, Germany finds itself in the most severe crisis since its reunification in 1990.”
“Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law and the attempt to destroy forever the international rules-based order of the United Nations Charter,” the ambassador said. Urging guests to condemn the attack and value what the democratic world stands for, she added that the German National Day is an opportunity to underline the commitment to live up to international responsibility in promoting peace and stability.
Tag der Deutschen Einheit
Images of the fall of the Berlin Wall are some of the first things that come to mind when one talks about German Unity Day. While that happened on Nov. 9, 1989, the Accession Treaty was signed in Berlin the following year on Oct. 3, formalizing the reunification of East and West Germany and establishing their Federal Republic.
A walk through Berlin, especially past various memorials and what remains of the Wall, always feels like a history lesson. There are dark chapters there but the way Germans confront their past so as not to repeat certain mistakes is rather admirable. It’s also interesting to see how the city, which was heavily damaged at the end of World War II has risen up, constantly developing. There’s always construction in different neighborhoods while taking into account the history of the area and the quality of life of its residents. There are plenty of parks and open spaces where people can enjoy the outdoors.
In 2018, during the same holiday, I got to take a walk with my husband through Nordbahnhof. It’s a train station, which used to border the former East and West Berlin. The nearby park was transformed into a memorial where Germans (and visitors like us) could commemorate the events that transpired during that time. Markers telling the history of the place are visible and on a national holiday, the park was filled with families reading about the importance of peace and unity.