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Created: 24 June 2015

Last Updated: 24 June 2015

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY JOINS ASEAN COMMITTEE IN PRAGUE

VISIT TO KARLOVY VARY

On 20 June 2015, the Philippine Embassy in Prague joined other members (Embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam)   of  the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee in Prague (ACP)  under the Chairmanship of the Ambassador of Vietnam Mr. Truong Manh Son, during a visit to the Karlovy Vary Region in Czech Republic.   The region of Karlovy Vary is known for its diverse industries such as the production of porcelain, glass and ceramics, textile and clothing industries, mining of mineral materials and the spa industry.

The ACP first visited the Moser Glassworks Factory.  The factory was founded in 1857 in Karlovy Vary and known for the luxury Moser crystal products  supplied to royalty, statesmen, celebrities and governments.  After the factory tour, the ACP proceeded to Sokolov Golf Course and had a working lunch with the Mayors of the Districts of Cheb, Karlovy Vary and Sokholov.   The parties discussed possible investment opportunities and cooperation in the fields of tourism, resort development and crystal production.

After the working lunch, the ACP made a side trip to view an open-pit brown coal mine near Chodov, the second largest town in the Sokholov District before proceeding to the ASEAN Cultural Festival in Sokholov.  

The ASEAN Cultural Festival introduced the culture of the ASEAN countries to the local people through music, dances and cuisine.  Products from ACP member-countries were also sold in booths.

The whole-day event successfully promoted ASEAN-Czech relations as well as elevated ASEAN’s profile in the Czech Republic.  

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Created: 24 June 2015

Last Updated: 24 June 2015

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY  IN PRAGUE JOINS OPENING

OF THE PRAGUE QUADRENNIAL 2015

The Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic joined the opening of the 13^th Prague Quadrennial  (PQ) of Performance Design and Space on 17 June 2015 at the Old Town Square.     The PQ is organized and funded by the Czech Ministry of Culture and, as the name suggests, is held every four years.  It is the world’s largest exhibition in the field of scenography and performance arts.  The 11-day festival this year brings together representatives from 80 countries, with 150 expositions and exhibits and 600 live events in 50 venues around Prague.  The main theme of the PQ 2015 is “SharedSpace: Music Weather Politics”.

The Philippine National Curator, Mr. Roland M. de Leon single-handedly designed and put up his exhibit at the Kafka House, drawing inspiration from recent calamities in the Philippines.  The installation shows a man standing amidst a scene of devastation and surrounded by washed out bamboo poles.   Mr. de Leon wanted visitors to see how Philippine theater productions are related to the country’s more-than-fair-share of calamities and destruction; and how Filipinos keep moving on past these struggles.

Another Philippine exhibit, the “Relief Box”, was also installed by Mr. de Leon, is currently displayed at the Student Section of the PQ.

On the second day of the PQ, 18 June 2015, Ambassador and Mrs. Vic Lecaros, First Secretary Juan E. Dayang, Director of PQ and the Arts and Theater Institute Ms. Pavla Petrova and other guests attended the “Day of the Philippines”.  Visitors met the curator, organizers and other artists and were treated to Peanut Kisses from Bohol and drinks from the Philippines – Paradise Mango Rum Liqueur, Amadeo Coffee Liqueur and Manille Liqueur de Calamansi.

On 19 June 2015, the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc., (BKFI), a community theater group from Malolos, Bulacan, performed the “Pasyon Senakulo”. Guests and passers-by were delighted to see a captivating performance of the Passion of Christ at the open square of Ovocný trh.  END.

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Created: 24 June 2015

Last Updated: 24 June 2015

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN PRAGUE AND OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINE HONORARY CONSULATE GENERAL IN BRNO JOIN EXPORT FESTIVAL CZ 2015

The Philippine Embassy in Prague and the Office of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Brno participated at the Export Festival CZ 2015 held from 17 to 18 June 2015 at the Prague Congress Center.  The two-day annual export festival is aimed at promoting exports and international business cooperation through exhibits of more than 60 organizations from 28 countries; lecture series; and country presentations.

The Embassy provided free tasting of dried green and yellow mangoes and Don Papa rum.   Coincidentally, a Czech importer of Don Papa rum was also attending the festival and saw the display of the product.  He answered some queries from interested buyers of the rum.  

The Embassy invited Filipino businessman, Dr. Samuel Bernal, owner of the Czech-based company SoleiMer Prague, to display some items from the Philippines.   He exhibited pearls as well as hand-painted scarves from the Philippines which elicited plenty of admiration and interest from the public.

A presentation on the Philippines in the Czech language was made by  Mr. Bretislav Skacel, Philippine Consul General, a.h., together with Ambassador Victoriano M. Lecaros and First Secretary Juan E. Dayang, Jr. who were ready to reply to queries. 

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Created: 12 June 2015

Last Updated: 12 June 2015

An estimated 300 VIPs from the diplomatic corps, Czech Republic's government ministries, and the Prague-based Filipino community attended the highly successful celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence held at the Narodni Dum na Vinohradech in Prague last June 10, 2015. Munich-based violin prodigy, Joaquin "Chino" Gutierrez, and the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus gave an astounding and exceptional performance to an appreciative crowd, who were generous in their shouts of bravo, thunderous applause and standing ovations. I can definitely say it was another "Proud to be Filipino" moment.

 Bursting with VIPs, the neo-Renaissance Rais Hall could fit no more, and so latecomers had to settle for "standing room only" at the back.

 Joaquin "Chino" Gutierrez, accompanied by Czech pianist, Jitka Frankova, filled Rais Hall (Raisuv Sal) with a breathtakingly beautiful violin sound, which teased and titillated the audience with its fortissimos, pianissimos, and precise and seemingly effortless runs. I could tell that the audience warmly appreciated Sa Kabukiran, Mutya ng Pasig, Paruparong Bukid and Bayan Ko, even if the majority were probably hearing these Filipino pieces for the very first time. But certainly, it was Chino's brilliance in Polonaise Brillante No. 2 in A major (Wieniawski) and Tzigane (Ravel) that drew the shouts and a long standing ovation at the end of the program.

 The UP Concert Chorus, dressed in costumes inspired by the ceremonial wardrobe of indigenous tribes in the south of the Philippines, closed the double-bill program with much-applauded (and much-photographed!) renditions of Kruhay, Ummah Sallih, Bagong Umaga, Hataw Na, One More Day and Skyfall. It seemed like the entire Narodni Dum shook with the enormity and wholeness of the group's vocals, not to mention the dance moves and percussion instruments (bamboo drum, plastic bins, Coke bottles, spoons and forks!!!). It was a fantastic way to showcase Filipino choral music.

 The crowd at the post-concert reception, which lasted for hours.

Ambassador Vic Lecaros with UPCC and Filcom

 The Philippine Embassy family

Philippine Embassy officers and staff with Chino, UPCC and Filcom