German settlement in the Philippines
Encyclopedia
German settlement in the Philippines began during the Colonial era when the German Empire
attempted to acquire the Philippines. This also refers to Filipino citizens of either pure or mixed German descent currently residing in the country.
’s Germany was one of the United States' rivals in replacing Spanish rule in the archipelago. From 1890 to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War
in 1898, there was a lull in Germany’s colonial campaigns. Like other colonialist nations, Germany sought to protect its overseas nationals and trade interests to the extent of safeguarding free access to markets. A German squadron arrived in Manila and engaged in maneuvers which Commodore George Dewey
seeing this as obstruction of his blockade, offered war — after which the Germans backed down.
, Vice-Admiral Otto von Diederichs
arrived in Manila Bay
. The number of German war vessels in Philippine waters increased to three. Earlier, on 6 and 9 May, respectively, the German ships "Irene" and the "Cormoran" arrived in the bay with a separate instruction from the German government, mainly to protect German nationals in Manila. German’s interest in the Philippines was cut short with the signing of the Treaty of Paris
on 10 December 1898. The Philippines was finally annexed by the United States in 1899.
at this time alarmed German Jews in Shanghai, fearing German pressure on Japan to adopt Nazi anti-Jewish policies. Fearing for them as well, the Jewish Community in Manila, led by the Frieder Brothers of Cincinnati, organized the Jewish Refugee Committee of Manila (JRC) with the intention of rescuing German members of the Shanghai Jewish community.
.
German colonial empire
The German colonial empire was an overseas domain formed in the late 19th century as part of the German Empire. Short-lived colonial efforts by individual German states had occurred in preceding centuries, but Imperial Germany's colonial efforts began in 1884...
attempted to acquire the Philippines. This also refers to Filipino citizens of either pure or mixed German descent currently residing in the country.
Spanish Rule
The first Germans to arrive to the Philippines were colonists. Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg , simply known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian-German statesman whose actions unified Germany, made it a major player in world affairs, and created a balance of power that kept Europe at peace after 1871.As Minister President of...
’s Germany was one of the United States' rivals in replacing Spanish rule in the archipelago. From 1890 to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
in 1898, there was a lull in Germany’s colonial campaigns. Like other colonialist nations, Germany sought to protect its overseas nationals and trade interests to the extent of safeguarding free access to markets. A German squadron arrived in Manila and engaged in maneuvers which Commodore George Dewey
George Dewey
George Dewey was an admiral of the United States Navy. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War...
seeing this as obstruction of his blockade, offered war — after which the Germans backed down.
First Philippine Republic
The Battle of Manila Bay took place on 1 May 1898, following the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. The German Emperor expected an American defeat, with Spain left in a sufficiently weak position for the revolutionaries to capture Manila—leaving the Philippines ripe for German picking. Following the American victory in the war, the Philippines and the Far East were brought to the attention of the world and Germany recognized the great potentialities of the islands as a major commercial market. On 12 June, the day the Philippines declared its independence from SpainPhilippine Declaration of Independence
The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 in Cavite II el Viejo , Cavite, Philippines. With the public reading of the Act of the Declaration of Independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the...
, Vice-Admiral Otto von Diederichs
Otto von Diederichs
Ernst Otto von Diederichs was an Admiral of the German Imperial Navy, serving in the predecessor Prussian Navy and the Navy of the North German Confederation.-Education, war and peace:Diederichs entered the Prussian...
arrived in Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
. The number of German war vessels in Philippine waters increased to three. Earlier, on 6 and 9 May, respectively, the German ships "Irene" and the "Cormoran" arrived in the bay with a separate instruction from the German government, mainly to protect German nationals in Manila. German’s interest in the Philippines was cut short with the signing of the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris could refer to a number of treaties which have been negotiated and signed in Paris, France, including:*Treaty of Paris , ended the Albigensian Crusade*Treaty of Paris , between Henry III of England and Louis IX of France...
on 10 December 1898. The Philippines was finally annexed by the United States in 1899.
American period
It was during the era of the Philippine Commonwealth, 1935–1946, that Jewish refugees including German Jews from Europe sought a safe haven in Manila. The migration of Jews escaping Europe between 1935 and 1941 was the last major immigration of Jews to the Philippines. The first German Jews to arrive in Manila actually came from the Jewish community in Shanghai. With the occupation of Peking by the Japanese in 1937, the four million inhabitants of Shanghai were endangered. Germany's shift of alliance from China to JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
at this time alarmed German Jews in Shanghai, fearing German pressure on Japan to adopt Nazi anti-Jewish policies. Fearing for them as well, the Jewish Community in Manila, led by the Frieder Brothers of Cincinnati, organized the Jewish Refugee Committee of Manila (JRC) with the intention of rescuing German members of the Shanghai Jewish community.
Modern Era
In recent years, several German businesses have set-up shops in the Philippines and a number of Germans have chosen the Philippines as their new residence. In the Philippines, since it's formation in January 1906, the German Club has provided a place of respite and interaction for Germans and Filipinos alike. In the past century, it has stood witness to the country’s unfolding history and today enjoys the regular patronage of members and guests at its current location in Legaspi Village, Makati CityMakati City
The City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines and one of the major financial, commercial and economic hubs in Asia...
.
Notable Filipinos of German descent
- The Zobel de Ayala familyZobel de Ayala familyThe Zóbel de Ayala clan is a Filipino business family of German-Spanish ancestry. Since the 19th century, they have created the Ayala Corporation, a holding company for a combination of businesses related to the heart of Philippines business, industry and finance.-History:The Ayala ancestors were...
- A successful Filipino business family - Carla AbellanaCarla AbellanaCarla Angeline Reyes Abellana is a Filipina actress and commercial model who played the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of the Mexican telenovela, Rosalinda, aired in GMA Network.-Biography:...
- Filipina actress - Panchito AlbaPanchito AlbaPanchito Alba was a FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actor who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He was billed as either "Panchito Alba" or simply "Panchito". Known for his swarthy looks and a prominent big nose, which was often the target of ridicule...
- FAMASFAMASThe FAMAS is a bullpup-styled assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS located in Saint-Étienne, which is now a member of the French government-owned Nexter group...
award-winning Filipino film actor - Romeo A. BrawnerRomeo A. BrawnerRomeo Aliac Brawner was a Filipino public official who served as a Commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Elections from 2005 until his death from a heart attack in May 2008...
- Former Commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC)Commission on Elections (Philippines)The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, is one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, initiatives, referendums, and recalls.... - Pia Cayetano - Senator of the Philippines
- Melody GersbachMelody GersbachMelody Adelaide Manuel Gersbach was best known as a beauty pageant contestant from the Philippines.-Personal life:...
- Beauty pageant contestant - Colby MillerColby MillerColby Miller Colby Miller Colby Miller (born February 19, 1980 is an MTV VJ for MTV Asia. He began his career as an MTV VJ after winning the Philippine MTV VJ Hunt 2005.-Early life:...
- MTV VJ for MTV Asia - ParalumanParalumanSigrid Sophia Agatha von Giese , better known asParaluman, was a FAMAS-award winning Filipino actress active from the 1940s to the 1970s. She was a contemporary of the likes of Fernando Poe, Sr...
- FAMASFAMASThe FAMAS is a bullpup-styled assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS located in Saint-Étienne, which is now a member of the French government-owned Nexter group...
award-winning Filipina actress - Piolo PascualPiolo PascualPiolo Jose Pascual is a Filipino film and television actor, musician, model, and producer.-Biography:...
- Filipino model, film and television actor, musician, and producer - Judy Ann SantosJudy Ann SantosJudy Anne Lumagui Santos-Agoncillo , popularly known as Judy Ann Santos or Juday/Judai, is Philippines film and television actress, product endorser, recording artist, and film producer....
- Filipina actress - Sandra SeifertSandra SeifertSandra Inez Suravilla Seifert is a beauty queen and an international fashion model of mixed Filipina and German descent....
- Beauty pageant contestant