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Created: 28 September 2015

Last Updated: 28 September 2015

PH Embassy in Prague Launches Rizal-Blumetritt  Walking Trail in Litoměřice Town as its Flagship Project to Highlight Historical Links in Philippine-Czech Friendship

Prague -  The Philippine Embassy in this Czech capital launched the Rizal-Bluentritt heritage trail in neighboring Litoměřice, hometown of Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt, as its flagship project to promote general awareness of the historical links between the Philippines and the Czech Republic through the close friendship of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal and Prof. Blumentritt.

The Embassy has produced a brochure with a description and a map of 10 significant places that retrace the steps of Rizal and traveling companion Maximo Viola at the heart of Litoměřice during his May 1887 visit with his friend.

To set the project in motion Philippine Ambassador Victoriano M. Lecaros first  introduced the Rizal-Blumentritt trail at the 2nd Regional Conference of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) in Malta in August 2015.  There he presented a copy to the Commission of Filipinos Overseas Chairperson (CFO) Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas and ENFiD regional conference organizers and participants represented by ENFiD Executive Director Rohlee de Guzman.

On 31 August, Mr. Lecaros presented the Rizal-Blumentritt trail to the diplomatic corps, government officials, members of the academe, business groups and Filipino community members who attended the launch of the “Literatura ng Pilipinas” edition of PLAV literary Magazine at the Czech Center in Prague.  The occasion was graced by Jr. Deputy Foreign Miniser Jaroslav Ludva, former Area Commander of the Knights of Rizal in the Czech Republic and former Czech Ambassador to the Philippines.

First Secretary and Consul Juan E. Dayang, Jr., representing the Embassy, commissioned Litoměřice  artist Karel Macas to create the drawings and the map. The heart-shaped walking trail begins from the  Litomeřice Bus Station, on to the Blumetritt and Rizal Bastion (Czech-Philippine Museum), the former house of Blumentritt, the Salva Guarda Hotel (Bust of Rizal), the Rizal Park and its own Bust of Rizal, the Old Railway Station (now Káva s párou Café), the Elbe River, the Bishop’s Residence and Cathedral, the German School where Prof. Blumentritt taught and Blumentritt’s Bust.  It ends at the former Hotel Krebs where Rizal stayed during his visit.

Well-known graphic designer Pavel Botka worked on the lay-out for the leaflets in three languages: English, Filipino and Czech.  He did the same with the corresponding posters.  The Philippine Embassy in Prague worked hand-in-hand with the Czech Embassy in Manila under Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa and his Deputy Mr. Jan Vytopil, who both gave additional inputs to the historical description of the trail.

The Philippine Embassy in Prague will make available the printed  brochures at its premises as well as at the Info Centrum in Litoměřice and also online.  The Embassy will organize a trip to Litoměřice town in October this year for the Filipino community members in Prague and environs to do the trail for a first-hand feel this little known facet of shared Filipino-Czech history.

For more details on the project, Consul Dayang may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END

Philippine Ambassador Vic Lecaros introduced the Rizal-Blumentritt Trail on 31 August on the occasion of the launch of Plav Literary Magazine’s edition on “Literatura ng Pilipinas”. Photo shows (L-R) Amb. Lecaros,  former Czech Ambassadors Stanislav Slavicky, Junior Deputy Minister Jaroslav Ludva, Josef Rychtar, who all served in Manila, current Ambassador Jaroslav Olša, Jr., and First Secretary & Consul Juan E. Dayang, Jr.

The Rizal-Blumentritt Heritage Trail map was first introduced at the 2^nd Regional Conference of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) in Malta to Filipinos in Europe. Amb. Vic Lecaros presented the brochure to Secretary Imelda Nicolas of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) on 2 August. Photo shows (L-R) ENFiD Executive Director Rohlee de Guzman, Amb. Lecaros, Secretary Nicolas, and First Secretary and Consul Juan E. Dayang, Jr

Sample of the Rizal-Blumetritt Heritage Trail leaflets in the English language. These brochures are also available in the Filipino and Czech languages.

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Created: 28 September 2015

Last Updated: 28 September 2015

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Created: 23 September 2015

Last Updated: 23 September 2015

Acclaimed Film Director Maryo J. de los Reyes visits Barrandov Studios in Prague, Meets Czech Director & Actor Petr Jákl

Prague, 11 September— Film Director Maryo J. de los Reyes and award-winning script writer Jake Tordesillas were guests of Barrandov Studios in Prague in the afternoon of 11 September 2015 during their lightning visit to the Czech Republic capital city for the screening of Bamboo Flowers at the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) in Prague, Lucerna Theatre in the evening.

 Ambassador Vic Lecaros  led the Philippine delegation to Barrandov Studios together with Consul and First Secretary Juan E. Dayang, Jr. and Cultural Officer Grace Perenyi of the Philippine Embassy. The Embassy arranged the visit and tour of the Studio compound which was guided by  Mrs. Vera Mira Haviarová and Mr. Jakub Zika, public relations officer  of Barrandov Studios. 

 Barrandov Studios is the largest film studio in Central Europe one of the largest in the continent.  It is often referred to as  the “European Hollywood” and has been a preferred production studio for films such as such as  Mission Impossible, The Bourne Identity, Casino Royale and Chronickles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, among others.

 The Filipino group toured the huge complex including a collection of thousands of period costumes covering the Middle Ages to the present times.  Part of the tour was a visit to the "Max", the largest soundstage in Europe with an area of 4,000 square meters and which is almost 14 meters high.

 The tour was capped by a meeting between Director de los Reyes and Mr. Petr Jákl (pronounced Ya-kl), a Czech movie actor, director and producer and the patron of the 4^th AFF. The two Directors had a brief exchange of ideas on possible collaboration in the future. Mr. de los Reyes was also interviewed by Mr. Tomáš Pilá of Radiožural. END

The 4th ASEAN Film Fest Philippine delegation at Barrandov Studios posing with Czech Director Peter Jakl, the patron of the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival  in Prague.  L-R: Ambassador Vic Lecaros,  Mrs. Vera Mira Haviarová of Barrandov Studios, Mr. Jákl, Director Maryo J. de los Reyes, and First Secretary and Consul Juan E.Dayang, Jr.

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Maryo J. de los Reyes - with translator Ms. Monika Kunova - being interviewed by Mr. Tomáš Pilát, Radiožural.  Behind them is Czech Director Petr Jákl. 

Director Maryo J. de los Reyes is welcomed by Czech film director, actor, and producer Mr. Petr Jakl at the Barrandov Studios. Mr. Jakl is the patron of the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival in Prague.

Philippine delegation donning hats from the costume collection of the Barrandov Studios. Photo shows  clockwise: Mr. Jake Tordesiilas, Ambassador Vic Lecaros, Director Maryo J. de los Reyes, Cultural Officer Grace Perenyi, Mrs. Vera Mira Haviarová of Barrandov Studios, Consul Juan E. Dayang, Jr, 4^th ASEAN Film Festival Producer Marek Polonecky, and Mr. Jakub Zika, PR of Barrandov Studios.

Director Maryo J. de los Reyes signs the poster of the 4^th Asean Film Festival, Prague - Czech Republic at Barrandov Studios. The poster was designed by Mr. Pavel Botka of Plzen.

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Created: 23 September 2015

Last Updated: 23 September 2015

Award-Winning Filipino Director Maryo J. de los Reyes and Actress Max Collins Wow the Crowd at the ASEAN Film Festival Screening of “Bamboo Flowers” in Prague

Prague, 11 September 2015  --  For the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, the Philippine Embassy presented the film “Bamboo Flowers” which drew the crowds on Friday evening, 11 September 2015 with acclaimed Director Maryo J. de los Reyes and actress /star Max Collins lighting up the stage.  The Festival was organized by the

The ASEAN Film Festival is an annual 5-day event showcasing selected films by the ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP), which consists of the Embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

In his remarks before the screening, Ambassador Victoriano M. Lecaros acknowledged the special guests from Manila and had them take center-stage to talk about the film.  The Director candidly spoke about the making of the Bamboo Flowers.  He said that the film started with a modest 1.5M Philippine peso grant from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and support of the actors who agreed to lower their talent fees.

The FDCP’s criteria in giving the grant include the proviso that the film must be set in the country side. Mr. de los Reyes, who hails from Bohol province in the Central Philippines, shot the film along the Loboc River and parts of the famed Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Conservation Area, as well as in their family farm in Bohol.

Ms. Collins, who plays Dolores-- a village lass, eloquently described her character and drew a comparison of her story to the ordinary travails of Filipino youth striving for have a better life and the choices they make along the way.

The 500-seat Lucerna Cinema Theater was nearly filled to capacity, fire regulations permitting. Other than the enthusiastic local Filipino Community, The tudience included including members of the Diplomatic Corps, government representatives, business groups and the Czech movie-going public.  The screening was followed by a simple reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy offering viewers samples Philippine delicacies such as lumpia and palitaw in Prague.  ENDDirector Maryo J.de los Reyes, Ms. Max Collins and Ambassador Vic Lecaros shown with some of the more  than 400 who packed the Lucerna Theatre in Prague.

At the opening program of the film showing of Bamboo Flowers at the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival in Prague. Photo shows (L-R) Mr. Marek Polanecky as host, Director Maryo J. de los Reyes, star Max Collins Official, and Philippine Ambassador Vic Lecaros at Lucerna Theatre, Prague.

Ambassador Lecaros gives his remarks at the 4th ASEAN Film Festival’s opening program for the screeening of Bamboo Flowers on 11 September 2015 at Lucerna Theatre.

Director Maryo J. de los Reyes discusses the making of the film Bamboo Flowers at the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival in Prague on 11 September 2015 as actress Max Collins looks on.

Actress Max Collins signs autographs for film viewers and fans before the screening of Bamboo Flowers.

Posing at the Barrandov Studios photo wall at the Lucerna Theatre were Director Maryo J. de los Reyes and actress Max Collins with Philippine Ambassador and Mrs. Lecaros, Indonesian Ambassador Aulia Aman Rachman, Consul Juan E. Dayang, Jr, Mr. Jakub Zíka and Mrs. Vera Mira Haviarová of Barrandov Studios, and Mr. Marek Polanecky.

Ms. Max Collins, star of the film Bamboo Flowers poses with ASEAN Committee in Prague Working Group members: (L-R)  Counselor Pham Thi Kim Hoa of the  Embassy of Vietnam, Counselor Chuchart Jirojkul of the Embassy of Thailand, Ms. Collins, First Secretary Juan E. Dayang, Jr., of the Philippine Embassy and Second Secretary Fitriyani Riduan of the  Embassy of Indonesia

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Actress Max Collins readily poses with enthusiastic Filipino community members who came to support the Philippine film  Bamboo Flowers at the 4^th ASEAN Film Festival in Prague on 11 September 2015 at the Lucerna Theatre.