GOVPH

2021 Quincentennial Commemorations

In 2021, we will commemorate the Philippine part in the achievement of science and humankind in circumnavigating the planet for the first time. Central in this commemoration is the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan on 27 April 2021. These and more are collectively known as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order No. 103 (2020). Know more about the event here:

About us [https://nqc.gov.ph/en/about]

Watch our promotional video [https://youtu.be/ptgU1ZUgFZc]

Listen to Quincentennial Soundtrack [https://spoti.fi/3nxWXPa]

Watch our lectures [https://portal.nqc.gov.ph/]

Quincentennial activities here [https://bit.ly/3dHrnKF]

A POETRY READING OF DR. JOSE RIZAL'S "EL CANTO DEL VIAJERO" IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 159TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

Ms. Sarah Andrea Aquino Samson-Banaag reads Dr. Jose Rizal's "El Canto del Viajero" in Spanish and its Filipino translation entitled "Awit ng Manlalakbay"

at Sentro Rizal, Embassy of the Philippines, Berne, Switzerland.

11 June 2020 - In commemoration of the 159th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, Sentro Rizal (SR) Berne, in cooperation with the Gender and Development Section of the Embassy, held a poetry reading of Dr. Jose Rizal’s "El Canto del Viajero" on 11 June 2020 at the SR Berne.  The poem reading was attended by the officers and staff of the Embassy. The poem was read in its original Spanish version, and translations in the English version entitled, "Song of the Traveller" by Charles Derbyshire,  and the Filipino translation entitled, “Awit ng Manlalakbay" as published by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ 2011 book, Jose Rizal: Mga Tula.

Ms. Sarah Andrea Aquino Samson-Banaag read the poem in the Spanish and Filipino. Ms. Banaag is an overseas Filipino who first moved with her family from the Philippines to Spain in 2001. She has been residing in Berne, Switzerland since 2004.  The English version was read by Ms. Ma. Shiela Sotto-Diaz, Information Officer of the Embassy.

(Top photo) First Secretary and Consul Princess Tomas-Tayao (left) introduces the poem readers, Ms. Banaag (center), and Ms. Ma. Shiela Sotto-Diaz (right), Information Officer of the Philippine Embassy.

Ms Ma. Shiela Sotto-Diaz reads the English version of Dr. Rizal’s poem entitled "The Song of the Traveller" by Mr. Charles Derbyshire.

Amb. Denis Yap Lepatan (right, partly hidden) and Madame Maria Teresa C. Lepatan (right, front), and Minister and Consul General Josephine M. Reynante (middle)

join other Embassy officials and staff in listening to the reading of Dr. Rizal’s poem “El Canto del Viajero” at the SR Berne of the Philippine Embassy.

(From left to right) Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan, Ms. Sarah Andrea Aquino Samson-Banaag, Madame Maria Teresa C. Lepatan and Ms. Ma. Niña Barranta pose for a souvenir photo.

PUBLIC ADVISORY NO. 15-2021- DECLARATION OF ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (ECQ) IN METRO MANILA AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS

03 March 2021- The Philippine Embassy in Berne, Switzerland wishes to inform the public that due to the declaration of an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from 29 March to 04 April 2021, in Metro Manila and its four surrounding provinces namely, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan, there will be consequent delays in the delivery and availability of Philippine passports until the resumption of normal operations.

Passport applicants with urgent questions or emergencies may call the Philippine Embassy Hotline at +41 79 5421 992, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your kind understanding.