- Details
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN PRAGUE JOINS OPENING
OF THE PRAGUE QUADRENNIAL 2015
The Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic joined the opening of the 13th 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.
- Details
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.
- Details
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
- Details
MESSAGE OF THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
On the Occasion of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of
Philippine Independence
As we celebrate the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with pride and poignant remembrance, we honor the sacrifices of our heroes who fought with incredible courage to secure our freedom as a nation. From Dr. Jose Rizal, to Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini, our timeless champions continue to inspire the Philippines to be proud of its past, faithful to the present and confident about its future. In the last five years under the Aquino administration’s reform agenda dubbed, “Tuwid na Daan,” our country has never been more optimistic about its future. Now, more than ever, the Philippines is assured of its role in the community of responsible nations. This year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan” (Independence 2015: Triumphs through reforms, within nation’s reach), therefore, comes with renewed international confidence in the Philippines’ potential not only as one of Asia’s growth engines but also in its emerging role as a lead advocate in the region on the primacy of the rule of law. For its part, as the ‘Department that never sleeps,’ the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to embrace the ideals of our heroes in pursuing a principled, focused and forward-looking foreign policy; whether in terms of preserving national security, enhancing economic diplomacy or protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of our overseas Filipinos. We continue to call on all our kababayan to do their share in building a progressive Philippines. We encourage investors and development partners to help us achieve a truly inclusive Filipino society. We envision the current and the next generation of Filipino leaders and social entrepreneurs to continue the reform agenda so that, in the words of President Benigno S. Aquino III, “no one is left behind.” In commemorating this year’s Independence Day, let the lives of our national heroes remind us of the powerful lessons of choice, inclusiveness, and above all, the very nature that makes us all human – the capacity to do good and to achieve greatness.
Mabuhay ang Araw ng Kalayaan!
ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
12 June 2015, Pasay City
- Details
- Monday, 04 November 2024 RQP procurement of common use supplies and consumables
- Tuesday, 13 August 2024 PROCUREMENT OF CONFERENCE SERVICE PACKAGE
- Monday, 12 August 2024 RFQ-Procurement of Lease of Chancery
- Tuesday, 11 June 2024 Procurement of Common use supplies and Consumables
