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27.August 1983: Foundation in Munich` s Sheraton Hotel as the Bavarian Chapter of the German Philippine Asssociation e.V. Mainz, which was founded in 1971 in connection with the coming of thousands of Philippine nurses, doctors, MTAs etc. Up to 1983 no Philippine activity addressed to the public had been organized in Bavaria.
Bavaria has about 12 Mio inhabitants, among them presently about 4000 Filipinos.Since its foundation GPA Bavaria publishes the monthly newsletter "Ang Batingaw",organizes monthly meetings with lectures and reports of competent German or Philippine guests or about actual affairs, realizes speclel activities alone or together with German institutions, scientists, municlpalities and governmental authorities,invites groups of Philippine artists (UP Concert Chorus,Madrigal Singers, Santo Tomas Singers, Ballett Philippines, Ramon Obusan Dance Grsup, Baranggay Dance Troupe Rondalla on Wheels,etc.), represents the Philippines at public affairs upon invitation and holds own lectures.
3.11.1983: First Philippine mass in Bavaria, celebrated by Father Joel Tabora SJ, Manila in Munich`s prominent "Theatiner Hofkirche", organized by GPA Bavaria and accompanied by ist singing group with Philippine music;
Summer 1984: Visit of Father Francisco Demetrio SJ, Ethnologist, Director of the Museo de Oro,Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro to GPA Bavaria; Introduction to German Ethnologists; collection of DM 90 000.- for the new building of the Museo de Oro,which was inaugurated 1996 by President Corazon Aquino in the presence of GPA Bayern Regional Chair- woman Aurea Galarpe Helbig.
May - September 1985: "German Philippine Summer" organized by GPA Bavaria under the patronage of the Bavarian Ministerpräsident Franz Josef Strauß in cooperation with the German Cultural Center Manila; according to ist former Director Dr.Bretzler:"Biggest presentation of Philippine culture abrsad". Please see separate program!
December 1985: Award of honor, given by Ambassador Ramon del Rosario "to Dr.Alfred and Aurea Helbig in recognition of their dedication, leadership and indefetigable efforts".
May 1986: "Flores de Mayo" in St.Bonifaz Abbey, Munich; Flrst "Flores de Mayo" Celebration in Germany.
March-April 1987: "Münchner Philippinen Wochen" in Munich` s Cultural Center "Am Gasteig" under the patronage of Munich` s Mayor Georg Kronewitter.
20.January 1988: Holy Mass celebrated by H.E. Jaime Cardinal Sin in St.Bonifaz Abbey for the Philippine Community.
June 1988: "One World" activity of Federal Minister of Economical Cooperation J. Klein in Munich with prominent German organizations participating and the GPA representing the Philippines.
October 1990: Lecture by Neda Director Secretary Cayetano Paderanga about Development Policy.
22.February 1991: Begin of a GPA Bavaria cooperation with the "Philippine German Cebu Upland Project", an official German development project, by handing over the amount of Pesos. 160,000.00 as in the presence of Cebu`s NGO and Government officials, headed by Governor Litz Osmena, as an initial assistance for Livestock Dispersal in the municipalities of Alcoy, Biljoon and Oslob.
July 1991: Symposium "The Military in the ASEAN States on the basis of their different ssciocultural conditions" with the participation of scientists and the Philippine Military Attache.
17.December 1991: Plaque of Recognition awarded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and handed over by President Corazon Aquino to GPA and to Aurea Galarpe Helbig "in acknowledgement or the dedication and commitment exhibited in the service of others by carrying out selfless programs to create a better image for the Philippines and to promote the betterment of Fellow Filipinos".
1992: Start of a scholarship project in Cagayan de Oro City (Elem.to College education).
May 1992: Visit of a CFO Delegation to the GPA for talks with competent German authorities and representatives of the Philippine Community, organlzed by the GPA;
May 1992: Inauguration of a monumental Philippine mosaic by Bart Boy Kiemko, Cebu City in St.Bonifaz Abbey, Munich at "Flores de Mayo" in the presence of a CFO Delegation;
1993: (Opening of another education) in Cadiz City scholarship grant project College(Phil. Nat. Univ.).
17.December 1993: Bansag Award handed over to Chairman Aurea Galarpe Helbig by President Fidel Ramos during the Month of Filipinos Overseas;
September 1994/March 1995: GPA invitation to the Philippine sculptor and painter Bart Boy Klemko, Cebu City for exhibitions in German cities and ln Rome and for the creation of two new Mosaic sculptures in St.Bonifaz Abbey, Munich, where on the basis of organizational and financial management Germany s only monumental ensemble of Philnppine art can be admired at a prominent place.
September 94 - February 95: "Blickpunkt Asien" (Focus Asia),series of activities organized by the City of Munich with the GPA Bavarla representing the Philippines;
March 1995: Foundation of the ''Councll of Filipinos Associations in Germany" by Aurea Galarpe Helbigas a platform of coordination;
24.March 1995: Release of another amount (Pesos. 155,800.00) to the German Philippine Cebu Upland Project;
24.April 1995: Handing over of Ps. 150,000.00 for the Pinatubo Project "Lingap -Mag-ina" of the Center of Communication Service,Ateneo de Manila;
July 1996: Symposlum at the Unlversity of Passau with lectures of Prof. Dahm about the begin of the Philippine Revolution.
Munich 18. April 1997: The Bavarian State Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Arts" Dr.Hans Zehetmair, at the same time Deputy Ministerpräsident of the State of Bavaria, granted to Chairwoman Aurea Helbig his patronage for GPA actrvities during the coming Centennial 1998 of the Philippine Independance.1997 preparations for a series of qualified activities.
Manila/Cebu/Cagayan de Oro City, 16. - 31.May 1997:Visit of a GPA Delegation (Adults and Youth) to the Philippines. Aims:
- to attend the GPA activities,
- to intensify the GPA relations to ist partners,
- to activate the youth in Germany within the GPA and the Philippine Community,
- to introduce the youth to their Philippine heritage,
- to initiate relations between youth from Germany and from the Philippines,
- to encourage joining the Lakbay Aral Program of the Philippine Government.
-Handing over an amount as contribution to build a health center in Siargao, Surigao.
-Begin of continuing contributions to a Street Children Livelihood project in Cagayan de Oro City. Join in the CFO s "Endowment Fund" project. Consideration of joining the project "Greening of the Pasig River".