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PHL EMBASSY IN OSLO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN FAROE ISLANDS AND GREENLAND

18 September 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Oslo conducted consular outreach services in Faroe Islands and Greenland from September 07 to 14. Both territories are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Faroe Islands is home to some 130 Filipino nationals, while Greenland is home to 156 Filipinos.


The Embassy conducted the consular outreach in response to the request of the Filipinos working there who will have to spend a minimum of $2,200 for air fare per person, excluding hotel accommodation, if they travel to Oslo for a new passport. In the case of Greenland, one has to fly to Copenhagen or Reykjavik first before one can take a flight to Oslo. Filipinos in both the Faroe Islands and Greenland need to renew their work permit every year and their passport need to be valid for more than six months beyond the extension period.

The Embassy’s consular team processed 54 passport applications and 15 notarials in Faroe Islands and 33 passport applications in Greenland.

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KUDYAPI CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF BARCELONA
HOLDS CONCERT IN MADRID

08 September 2015 - The Kudyapi Children’s Choir of Barcelona serenaded the Filipino community in Madrid yesterday, in a 45 minute concert at the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Espino, home of the Filipino chaplaincy in Madrid.  The choir is composed of thirty-one children from five to 14 years of age.

The Kudyapi Children’s Choir impressed their audience with their rendition of Filipino folksongs such as Bahay Kubo, Si Pilemon, Pobreng Alindahaw, and songs in other languages.  Their finale song I’m Yours, which was accompanied by the banduria received a hearty applause from the audience. 

The choir was formed in 2004 to familiarize Filipino children born and raised Spain, with Filipino values and culture through music. The choir is managed by Centro Filipino´s Sister Paulita Astillero as adviser, Mr. Nats Sisma as director, and Mr. Arnel German as musical director.

The concert was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Madrid in coordination with Grupo Kudyapi, Centro Filipino for Returning Migrants and Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Espino, headed by Father Rosendo Perez and Father Remigio Domino.

The beneficiary of the concert is the Centro Filipino for Returning Migrants which manages the Centro Filipino-Tuluyan San Benito in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

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FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN BERNE JOINS SOLIDARITY RUN FOR UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS

  15 September 2015 - On 12 September, members of the Filipino community in Berne joined the solidarity run for undocumented migrants in Switzerland organized by the Berner Beratungsstelle für Sans-Papiers, a non-profit organization giving advice and assistance to undocumented persons in the country.  
Filipino community members join in the Sans Papieres solidarity run in Munsterplatz, Berne.

 

 

Many Swiss nationals and other nationalities who are also migrants in Switzerland took part in the event. The high turnout of participants and supporters is a sign of encouragement and strong cooperation for the rights of undocumented migrants in Switzerland, said the organization. 

The Berner Beratungsstelle für Sans-Papiers, founded in 2002, is comprised of parliamentarians, correspondents from various cantons, local and national NGOs, churches, charities, trade unions and political parties. The members meet at least five times a year and share their practical and legal knowledge, coordinates with the public and advocate for reforms in Switzerland for better protection for migrants. 

The organization estimates that there could be as high as 300,000 illegal migrants in Switzerland to date.  Most are denied their basic rights and live in constant fear, or work in unstable and dangerous conditions, says the organization.

The group also gives vocational training and provide for health insurance for undocumented migrants in the country.