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Department of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Philippines

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

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PHILIPPINE JEWELRY ARTISANS FEATURED IN ZÜRICH The Philippine Embassy attended the launching of a trunk show by Vera on 14 December 2016 at Seefeldstrasse, Zürich. Vera is about jewelry and accessories for “moments of glory.” The trunk show featured a curated collection from seven (7) independent Filipino designers and artisan groups. The designer brands are as follows; Banago, Ethnique, Joyce Maquitalo, Joanique, Merriam Batara, Natalya Lagdameo and Vida Lim. Their collections are exhibited for the first time in Europe. Likewise, it also marks the first European launch for the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project, a governance and capacity development project that aims to promote and support a gender-responsive enabling environment for women's economic empowerment, particularly those in microenterprises. The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the national machinery for the advancement of women in the Philippines, is the lead executing agency for the Project. VERA is a retail partner of GREAT Women. Ms. Valerie Remoquillo-Jenni, the founder of VERA, wants to cast a spotlight on outstanding Filipino designers and artisans, their talents and point of view. It’s Ms. Jenni’s way of coming home, promoting impeccably crafted accessories, cherished by the designers who make them and by the women who wear them. VERA is the Latin word for “true” and that’s exactly what she wants to celebrate: real women confident in their true style and living in their glorious moment.

Embassy of the Philippines Berne, Switzerland's cover photo

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FILIPINO ARTIST DONATES GEN. ANTONIO LUNA PAINTING TO INSPIRE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS Mr. Norlando Pobre, Swiss-based Filipino artist from St. Gallen, presented a painting of Gen. Antonio Luna at the Philippine Embassy on 04 December 2016. The painting was done in acrylic measuring 55 x 65 cm. and is now being displayed in the Chancery’s reception area. Mr. Pobre chose Gen. Luna as subject to provide inspiration to overseas Filipinos, especially to his fellow kababayans in Switzerland. Gen. Antonio Luna as a young man of science finished his studies in Spain, and then studied military science in Belgium, to become a hero who showed great love for his country. An artist with mastery of various media, Mr. Pobre first trained as an apprentice comics illustrator under National Artist Francisco V. Coching. Today, Mr. Pobre’s art repertoires range from portraits, landscapes, abstracts and contemporary art. He is also a sculptor and has won various art competitions in the Philippines. Mr. Pobre is a native of Alcala, Pangasinan and grew up in South Cotabato. He is among the Swiss-based Filipino artists who will exhibit their artworks to mark the 60th Anniversary of Philippine-Swiss Diplomatic Relations in 2017.

ANNOUNCEMENT: DECEMBER 2016 AND JANUARY 2017 HOLIDAYS The Embassy of the Philippines Berne will be closed to the public on the following dates: 26 December 2016, Monday : Swiss Holiday (St. Stephen’s Day) 30 December 2016, Friday : Philippine Holiday (Rizal Day) 02 January 2017, Monday : Swiss Holiday (Berchtolds Day) The Embassy reopens on 27 December 2016 and 03 January 2017. For the complete list of the Embassy's holiday schedule for 2017 please click the link below: http://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/site-m…/about-the-embassy/holidays

PUBLIC ADVISORY NO. 30- 2016 PAGPAPAKASAL SA SWITZERLAND (MARRIAGE IN SWITZERLAND) Ayon sa batas ng Switzerland, ang lahat ng pagpapakasal ng lahat ng tao sa loob ng Switzerland (maging sa pagitan Swiss, foreigner/banyaga, o kapwa Pilipino) ay dapat gawin lamang ng Swiss Civil Registrar. Dagdag pa ng batas sa Switzerland, ang civil marriage sa Swiss Civil Registrar lamang ang may legal status sa Switzerland, at ano mang “religious ceremony” o kasal sa simbahan ay pwede lang mangyari matapos ang civil marriage sa Swiss Civil Registrar. Kung kaya’t para sa lahat ng Pilipinong gustong magpakasal sa Switzerland, mangyari lamang na kumonsulta muna sa Swiss Embassy sa Maynila kung anu-ano ang mga dokumentong kailangan para magpakasal sa loob ng Switzerland. https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/philippines/en/home/services/civil-status/marriage.html https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/philippines/en/Merkblatt_Heirat_CH_en.pdf

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The 2016 18-Day Campaign To End Violence Against Women 26 November to 12 December 2016 Aiming to “individualize” and make the people “own” the campaign, the PCW personified the “Me” in the 2016 theme and provided each with corresponding core messages: • From the perspective of a woman - I know my rights and I will not allow anyone to violate it. I won't allow myself to become a victim of violence and I know what to do, where to go and whom to go to in case it happens. • From the perspective of a man/boy - I respect women and girls and I won't be an instrument in committing violence against women and children. I will be a positive influence to other men and boys in building a community that is respectful of everyone’s right to be free from abuse and violence. • From the perspective of a government agency - We are staunch advocates of Anti-VAWC. We will continue to provide and improve our services for our clients so that they can live a life that is free from VAW. • From the perspective of private sector and non-government organization- We support the efforts of the government and our immediate community in addressing violence against women and girls. We will continue to foster collaboration in ensuring that there will be zero tolerance to VAW, and initiate efforts within our means to help address the issue when it happens. • From the academe/training institutions – We foster an environment that does not only nurture the minds and intellects of our students, faculty and staffers, but also ensures their safety from abuses, especially against women and children. We have mechanisms in the campus like a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) where students, faculty and employees can seek help. WHAT CAN I DO? Woman/Girl • Empower yourself. Know your rights and available courses of actions in case these rights are violated. • Speak out and report to the authorities in case your rights are violated. • Encourage others to fight for their rights. Man/Boy • Respect women and girls in your home, workplace, and community. • Join male groups promoting Anti-VAW efforts and participate in discussions to broaden your awareness on the advocacy. • Enlighten/advise perpetrators to seek help and join the male Anti-VAW supporters. Government agency • Equip yourselves with apt trainings and capacity development sessions to improve service delivery for your clients. • Develop monitoring and evaluation strategy to assess the service to your clients supporters. • Let people know that you provide the services! We need to inform the public that there are government offices that they can turn to and trust to assist them towards healing and seeking justice. Private sector • Support the Anti-VAW efforts of the government and your immediate community. • Establish your own Action Desks where employees and clients can go to in case VAW happens. • Develop internal rules to proactively ensure that your workplace is VAW-free. Academe/training institutions • Include concepts of VAW and women’s human rights in lesson plans/lesson guides of your teaching staff • Continually conduct/spearhead anti-VAW advocacies in your campus, and if possible, to your immediate community through extension programs. • Setup a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) where students and employees can seek help.

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PHILIPPINE-SWITZERLAND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS SERIES In preparation for the 60th Anniversary of Philippine-Switzerland Diplomatic Relations next year, the Embassy will be posting interesting information about the robust relationship between the two countries. BRIEF HISTORY ON PHILIPPINE- SWITZERLAND RELATIONS The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Switzerland began on 30 August 1956 upon the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries. The Exchange of Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty of Friendship between the Philippines and Switzerland took place on 21 January 1957. Thereafter, Ambassador Salvador P. Lopez, Philippine Ambassador to France , was concurrently accredited to Switzerland on 21 June 1957. Swiss-Philippine bilateral relations actually predate formal diplomatic relations. Interaction between the two countries can be traced back to the early 1800s when Swiss traders, missionaries and travelers ventured into Southeast Asia. The idea of opening a Swiss official representation in the Philippines was initiated in 1851, which finally culminated in the establishment of a Swiss honorary consulate in Manila in 1862. Since then, exchanges between the two countries have flourished, particularly in the economic, cultural, social and political spheres. These collaborative efforts have also been strengthened through the signing of numerous agreements in the fields of investments, visa waiver, mutual legal assistance, extradition, avoidance of double taxation, social security, and exchange of professional and technical trainees, among others. Philippine-Swiss business relations go back to the last century with some big Swiss business names figuring prominently alongside big names in Philippine business. Counted among these are Nestle Philippines, Holcim Philippines, Glencore Switzerland, SGS Philippines. To date, there are over 60 Swiss companies present in the Philippines employing around 15,000 Filipinos. About one-third or 28% of said Swiss companies belong to the industrial sector, while 72% are in the service sector. In addition, there are a number of Filipino/Swiss family-owned enterprises running small resorts and dive shops scattered around the archipelago.