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KLOSTERNEUBURG, Lower Austria — Philippine Ambassador to Austria Evangelina Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas celebrated the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2026, by charting the deeply rooted historical links, expanding economic partnerships, and growing cultural influence shared between the Philippines and Austria.
Speaking before members of the diplomatic community and Filipino diaspora leaders at the historic gardens of Stift Klosterneuburg, Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas reflected on a relationship that stretches back centuries, mapping its path from imperial connection to modern labor and cultural pacts.
Deep Roots and Historical Guardianship
Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas reminded attendees that the early ties between the two nations carry a distinct lineage. She noted that while King Philip II, whom the Philippines was named after in 1542, was Spanish, he belonged to the House of Habsburg—firmly intertwining the Southeast Asian nation’s origins with Austrian history.
Turning to the fight for Philippine sovereignty, the Ambassador highlighted the foundational 10-year friendship and correspondence between Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and Austrian scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt in the late 19th century.
“Though Dr. Blumentritt never got to visit the Philippines, his words and his correspondence with our national hero really formed the thoughts of our nation,” Arroyo-Bernas said.
In a significant historical update, the Ambassador announced that the National Museum of the Philippines is finalizing an agreement with Blumentritt’s descendants, who were present at the gala, to acquire and repatriate vital historical artifacts and letters authored by Rizal that the family has preserved for over a century.
Refugee Havens and Cultural Foundations
The Ambassador also highlighted how Austrian figures heavily influenced Philippine cultural institutions. She noted that the Manila Symphony Orchestra—the oldest Western-style orchestra in the country—was established in the 1920s by Austrian musician Dr. Alexander Lippay.
Furthermore, Arroyo-Bernas spotlighted a poignant chapter from World War II, during which the Philippines served as a sanctuary for Austrian Jewish refugees. Among them were Dr. Mona Lisa Steiner, a botanist who went on to found the Philippine Orchid Society, and her husband, lecturer Hans Steiner. The couple raised their family in Manila for over two decades before returning to Vienna, where a park in the 12th district now honors her legacy.
Modern Diplomacy and Economic Momentum
The address shifted to current bilateral milestones, noting that high-level political dialogues remain incredibly robust. Following a third round of political consultations late last year, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro visited Vienna early this year to engage with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, famously attending the iconic Vienna Opera Ball in February 2026.
On economic development, the Ambassador noted that the Philippines proudly hosts an expanding footprint of Austrian firms across the trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and tech sectors. She also lauded the continued, successful implementation of the two milestone bilateral labor agreements signed in 2023, ensuring fair, ethical, and sustainable recruitment pathways for Filipino professionals moving to Austria.
New cultural frontiers are also being crossed through the Island Ties Initiative—an interdisciplinary academic partnership with Die Angewandte (University of Applied Arts Vienna) designed to bring contemporary Asian artistic and curatorial perspectives directly to European audiences.
Beyond Nursing: Honoring a Dynamic Diaspora
Closing her address, Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas praised the 30,000-strong Filipino community in Austria for their unwavering professionalism, compassion, and integration from Vienna to Bregenz.
While emphasizing that Filipinos have long been recognized as world-class healthcare workers in Austrian hospitals, she spotlighted the remarkable rise of second- and third-generation Filipino-Austrians breaking grounds in European entertainment and sports. Among those celebrated were Eurovision performers Vincent Bueno and Cesár Sampson (“JJ”), alongside David Alaba, the celebrated captain of the Austrian National Football Team, and rising under-18 talent Daniel Mahiya.
“On behalf of my president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I extend my sincere appreciation to every Filipino here in Austria,” Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas concluded. “Because of you, we have such good relations with Austria.”
- Hector Pascua
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