The Philippine Embassy in Berlin has conferred the first Dr. Jose Rizal Awards for Philippine-German Cultural Relations on five German nationals who have made significant contributions to Philippine-German cultural diplomacy.

Philippine Ambassador to Germany Delia Albert conferred the Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Philippine – German Cultural Relations on Prof. Bernhard Dahm, Ambassador Johann Christoph Jessen, Dr. Claudius Müller, Dr. Uwe Schmelter, and Karl-Heinz Stockheim at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Berlin.

The award is named after Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in recognition of his role in bridging Philippine-German relations through his works inspired by the German tradition of freedom and liberty.

Rizal lived and studied in Heidelberg, Wilhelmsfeld, and Berlin, where he edited the final chapters of his first novel “Noli Me Tangere.” The Philippines commemorated Rizal's 149th birth anniversary last June 19.

The first awardee, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Dahm, is a professor emeritus at the University of Passau in Lower Bavaria, Germany. He popularized the study of the Philippines at that university through his book, "José Rizal: Der Nationalheld der Filipinos," which immortalized the life and works of Rizal in Germany.

German Ambassador to Denmark Johann Christoph Jessen was also conferred the award for his role in initiating and organizing the first cultural event at the Paco Park in 1980 when he was a cultural attaché at the German Embassy in Manila, while Dr. Claudius Müller, director of the Staatliches Museum for Völkerkunde in Munich, was given the award for initiating and organizing the first exhibition on Filipino ethnographic culture in Munich in 1980. He also wrote the books "Morga, Rizal und Berlin" and "Die Philippinen, Perle im östlichen Meer" (The Philippines: Pearl of the Orient Seas).

The fourth awardee was Dr. Uwe Schmelter, Director of Goethe Institute- Japan, Head of East-Asia Section.

Dr. Schmelter initiated the restoration of the 1960 film version of Dr. Jose Rizal's novel, "Noli Me Tangere," the official gift of the German government to then President Corazon Aquino as the first Philippine president to visit Germany.

He also promoted the talents of Filipino independent filmmakers, many of whom have become internationally recognized.

The fifth to be conferred the Dr. Rizal Award was Karl-Heinz Stockheim, chief executive officer (CEO) and president of the Stockheim Gmbh and Co. in Dusseldorf, Germany. Stockheim was an honorary consul of the Philippines from 1981 to 1994. During his stint, he supported numerous Philippine cultural groups notably university choirs, visual artists, and performers who promoted the Philippines in Germany. He immortalized the Philippines in his book, "Leben wie die Vögel singen" (Life as Birds Sing It).

The diplomatic ties between the Philippine and Germany were established in 1955. There are about 55,000 Filipinos living in Germany.

The German government has extensive cultural cooperation with the Philippines such as that with higher education institutions, cooperation agreements, research projects, and academic exchange programs. There are about 200 Filipinos studying in Germany.