mADRIGAL SINGERS PERFORM IN cHURCH sERVICE IN bERLIN, gERMANY

Georg Cardinal St erzinsky, Ambassador Albert and the Philippi ne Madrigal Singers

22 June 2007 — Philippine Ambassador to Germany Del ia Domingo-Albert reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippine Madrigal Singers performed at the weekly Wednesday service at St-Hedwigs-Kathedrale on 13 June 2007, which was attended by Georg Cardinal Sterzinsky, Ambassador Domingo-Albert, Fr. Adonis Narcelles, Jr. of the Philippine Catholic parish community, and German and Filipino churchgoers.  

In his remarks to the Madrigals after the service, the Cardinal expressed his appreciation to the choir for their performance at Berlin ’s premier Catholic Church and conveyed his great admiration for their musical virtuosity.  He wished the choir success in their current European tour and future endeavors.  

The Cardinal remarked that the Philippine Madrigal Singers and their music play a vital role in bridging various cultures as well as strengthening people-to-people contacts.  Cardinal Sterzinsky added that their music evidently contributes to the hastening of the globalization of the world, the better for the enhancement of international friendship and understanding.  

He also impressed on the singers the importance of St-Hedwigs-Kathedrale as being the first Catholic Church in the former East Germany as well as in the reunified Germany .  

The Cardinal has a special affinity with Filipinos and the Philippines since his uncle had served as a missionary to the Philippines .  Notwithstanding that many Filipinos residing in Germany profess the Catholic faith, the presence of Berlin ’s Philippine Catholic parish community for the last twenty years has forged this special bond with the Catholic church in Germany ’s capital.  

St-Hedwigs-Kathedrale is the Catholic Cathedral of the Roman Archdiocese of Berlin .  Located in the heart of old Berlin in Bebelplatz, the construction of the cathedral began in 1747 and consecrated in 1773.  Bebelplatz was intended to be the focal point of the Forum Fredericianum, an area designed to mirror the grandeur of ancient Rome .  

The performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers forms part of the commemoration of 109^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence as well as the Embassy’ s public diplomacy efforts to enhance Philippine-German relations.  END 

/jay

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