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PAMANA (Heritage) parade that featured colorful festivals from the different provinces and islands in the Philippines was held today at the center of Vienna. The march started at Stephansplatz. The occasion of the celebration is the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Philippines 75 years ago.
Under the musical accompaniment of the Musikverein Leopoldau, a popular brass band, Filipino festival parade begun from Stephansplatz and passed through Graben, Schottengasse and across the Ring to Sigmund Freud Park. Arriving at the grounds of Sigmund Freud Park, just infront of the Votivkirche, special dance performances were presented by the partipating organisations.
Participants of the cultural parade and the performances at the grounds of Sigmund Freud Park were: Igorot Austria, the Sinulog Festival of Cebu showcased by Kapunungan ng mga Visaya sa Austria & Filpino Catholic Community Wiener Neustadt; Tboli Lemlunay Festival of South Cotabato by Philippine Nurses Association in Austria, Sunshiners & friends; Kaamulan Festival of Bukidnon by Folklorico Filipino; the Maranao Malong Festival by Babaylan, Walkers and Friends; Dinagyang by from Iloilo by the Ilonggo Association in Austria and Vienna International Center Club Filipino; Filipino Visual Artists in Austria’s Lapulapu Tribal Hero and more. The UrbanNomadMixes Ensemble and a small Austrian delegation in their traditional Austrian tracht (Dirndl) also joined the parade.
“It is very fitting on this occasion to say that the Filipinos here are very well integrated. They do not make any problem. We have an excellent camaraderie with them and they are doing a great job! We are very proud of our Filipino friends. We wish them the best!” Mr. Hermann Kroiber, Secretary General of the United Nations Correspondents Association in Vienna commented.
“On behalf of the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, it is my great pleasure to be with you to commemorate the 75th year anniversary of Philippine-Austrian relations,” Philippine Embassy Vienna Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. (CDA) Deena Joy D. Amatong said in her inspirational speech.
The ambassador thanked the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria), the organizer of the event and the Filipino community for their joint effort in order to stage such a magnanimous show of the richness of the Filipino culture.
“I want to commend ENFID-Austria for organizing this event and all the organizations present. I thanked all of you for supporting activities that promote solidarity within the Filipino Community in Austria,” the Ambassador said.
“It is fantastic to see the community here. I wish that many more events like this will take place in the future,” Manuela Tropia, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Vienna gladly commented.
Filipino Artist in Vienna, Gerry de Guzman also expressed his gratitude for being a part of the event. Gerry designed a huge statue of Lapulapu, a brave Filipino soldier, who fought against the Spaniards who wanted to colonize the archipelago in the 15th century.
Well appreciated
For the first time in Filipino-Austrian history, an Austrian brass band, The Musikverein Leopoldau played the Philippine National Anthem. Everyone proudly sang the hymne with the brass band.
How Filipinos live and celebrate
Hundred of Filipinos living in Vienna and from neighboring provinces and Austrian friends joined the memorable event. Bystanders were marveled at the rich, colorful cultures of the Philippines.
The historical event had been organized by the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria).
– Hector Pascua
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