Long-time Filipino nurses and midwives in Vienna celebrate 50 years of service

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Vienna, Austria — Filipino nurses and midwives who arrived in Vienna 50 years ago commemorated their golden anniversary with a grand celebration at the Vienna Rathaus.

During their anniversary gala dinner, Batch 1974, composed of over sixty Filipino healthcare professionals, paid homage to their heritage by putting on Philippine formalwear and presenting the Rigodon de Honor traditional dance. Rosa Maria Somera, chairwoman of the Batch 1974 Organizing Committee, said this milestone occasion is a testament to their “unwavering dedication, compassion, and excellence in healthcare.” “Your resilience and commitment in a foreign land have brought honor to our Filipino heritage. Your legacy is an inspiration to all, reminding us of the importance of service, perseverance and community.”

Proud Austrians for Proud Pinoys Government officials, diplomats, civil society leaders, and groups from Austria and the Philippines applauded the Batch 1974 honorees for their contributions to Austria’s healthcare system over the past five decades.

In a message, the Mayor and Governor of the City of Vienna, Dr. Michael Ludwig, expressed his gratitude to the honorees, adding that their profession is among those that are “particularly respected in our society,” as it requires “a high degree of empathy, specialist knowledge, and a sense of responsibility. “Midwives are a person’s first direct contact with our society. Likewise, the last contact in this world often falls to the nursing staff, which makes their sensitive task a barometer of a socially functioning society,” Dr. Ludwig wrote. “The city of Vienna is proud of its nursing staff and midwives from the Philippines. They are an integral part of our society, a role model of conscientiousness and care, and ambassadors of a cosmopolitan, community-oriented Vienna. Special thanks for that.”

At the celebration, Austrian Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection Johannes Rauch emphasized the importance of foreign healthcare workers. “Philippine nurses and midwives have long been an indispensable part of the healthcare staff in the Austrian healthcare and nursing sector,” Mr. Rauch said. “Therefore, it is up to us, the responsible authorities, to create the conditions that, on the one hand, help retain the personnel who have already immigrated and, on the other hand, actively facilitate the further recruitment of nurses. In doing so, it is important to me to emphasize that the WHO Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel must be urgently incorporated into our recruitment strategies.”

In her message to the honorees, Philippine Ambassador to Austria Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas highlighted that the “recent signing of new agreements between the Philippines and Vienna, and with Austria on labor cooperation, are a testament to the enduring legacy you helped create.” “These agreements ensure the next generation of Filipino nurses will continue to contribute to Austria’s healthcare system under a framework that protects their rights,” Amb. Bernas said. Upholding the highest standards The leaders of the governments of the Philippines and Austria also sent their congratulations to the Batch 1974 honorees

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wrote in a special message that the “significant presence of Filipino nurses and midwives in the global health workforce is a source of national pride” that the government “intend[s] to sustain in the foreseeable future.” President Marcos greeted the honorees and said they have “upheld the highest standards of nursing and midwifery.” “Your 50th Anniversary reflects your significant contribution to the healthcare system and well-being of your adoptive country,” he added.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed his deep gratitude to Batch 1974 for “the invaluable work and tireless dedication you have shown over the past five decades.” “Your efforts have been indispensable to the health and well-being of Austrians. The fact that you have cared for our citizens with such dedication and professionalism for 50 years speaks of a deep bond with our country and its people,” President Van der Bellen wrote. “Working in the health professions represents one of the greatest challenges and, at the same time, one of the most important future issues of our time. I therefore wish all of us that you can celebrate many more anniversaries here in Austria and continue to make such a valuable contribution to our society.”

Celebrating Filipino heritage in Austria’s cultural heart Filipino culture also abounded during the Batch 1974 Golden Anniversary Celebration, filling the Vienna Rathaus with the wonders of Philippine heritage.

Aside from the Honorees’ Parade and the traditional Rigodon de Honor dance, the gala also featured a show from Folklorico Filipino-Austria, composed of Filipinos who work or have settled in Vienna. Folklorico brought the gala attendees on a cultural journey through the opening “Big Beautiful Country” act, followed by Ragragsakan, a dance from the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon. They also presented Karasaguyon, an entertaining Tboli dance from the highlands of South Cotabato in southwestern Mindanao. Folklorico followed it up with the lively Jota Caviteña dance performed in social gatherings during the Spanish colonial period.

The show closed with the Mexican-influenced Pastores Talisay dance, performed in festive rituals in Bicol to mark the start of Yuletide. In addition to this cultural showcase, the majority of the Filipino attendees dressed in various traditional Philippine attire to represent their regions.