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Vienna, Austria – A Kundiman serenade by Filipino Soprano, Ms. Erin Silangil, and generous portions of halo-halo topped with ube ice cream and leche flan were among the highlights of the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence at the chamber garden of the Lower Belvedere Museum on 12 June 2024.
Distinguished guests from the Austrian government, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and Filipino community leaders in Austria enjoyed the open-air celebration. Ambassador Maximilian Hennig, Chief of Protocol of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, conveyed warm greetings from Austria’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg. He expressed gratitude for the Filipino community’s significant contributions to Austrian society and praised the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Austria. “We are privileged to celebrate this very special day together with all of you. The Philippines is a true partner, not only in our bilateral contacts but also in working together to make the world a better place, a more peaceful place,” said Ambassador Hennig.
During her remarks, Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas emphasized the Philippines’ contributions towards global peace, security, and sustainable development, particularly through cooperation with international organizations in Vienna.
“We are proud of our democratic tradition, which we share with Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic. At the core of democracy is the ability of governments to deliver the public good to their people, in cooperation with friends and partners around the world,” Ambassador Bernas further stated. She also lauded the vibrant Filipino community in Austria for their contributions and their embodiment of the spirit of bayanihan.
Ms. Silangil was accompanied by the Vienna Strings quartet and performed “Ang Maya” by Jose Estrella, “Sarung Banggi” by Felipe Padilla de Leon, and the Austrian song, “Du sollst der Kaiser meiner Seele sein” showcasing the classical cultural heritage of the Philippines. The celebration concluded with a cocktail reception, where guests were served Filipino delicacies such as chicken barbeque, lumpia, and halo-halo. END
- Press Release from the Philippine Embassy, Vienna/picture: Philippine Embassy, Vienna
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