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VIENNA, September 5, 2026 — Philippine culture and visual artistry took center stage in Vienna as the Filipino Visual Artists in Austria (FVAA) brought an extraordinary piece of Philippine-inspired art to the streets during the PAMANA V Festival.
Led by Mr. Gerry de Guzman, the group joined the festival parade with a spectacular, larger-than-life representation of Urduja, the legendary warrior princess and heroine associated with Pangasinan in Philippine tradition.
Standing at more than five meters tall, the imposing figure immediately attracted attention as it made its way through Vienna. With her warrior attire, crown, weapons and commanding presence, Urduja became one of the most striking visual attractions of the PAMANA V celebration.
A Legend Made Larger Than Life
Urduja is remembered in Philippine folklore as a courageous warrior princess and powerful female leader. Her story has endured through generations as a symbol of strength, bravery, leadership and Filipino heritage.
For FVAA, bringing Urduja to the PAMANA V parade offered an opportunity to translate that cultural heritage into a dramatic visual experience.
The enormous artwork was impossible to miss. Towering several meters above the artists accompanying it, the figure created an unforgettable sight against Vienna’s historic architecture. Festival participants and spectators were drawn to the sculpture, many stopping to admire and photograph the remarkable creation.
The juxtaposition was particularly striking: a legendary figure from Philippine folklore standing proudly in the heart of Vienna.
When Art Becomes a Cultural Ambassador
The participation of Filipino Visual Artists in Austria demonstrates how visual art can serve as a powerful ambassador of Filipino culture.
While Filipino festivals are often associated with music, dance, food and traditional costumes, FVIA showed that visual arts have an equally important role in telling the Filipino story.
Through Urduja, the group transformed Philippine folklore into a contemporary public artwork that could be experienced by an international audience. The artwork invited people to discover a part of Philippine history and mythology even if they had never encountered the story before.
The accompanying artists, dressed in warrior-inspired costumes, further strengthened the presentation, creating a cohesive visual tableau around the towering Urduja figure.
Creativity Without Borders
The PAMANA V Festival provided FVIA with a platform to demonstrate the versatility of Filipino artists living in Austria. Their contribution went beyond simply displaying an artwork—it brought Philippine imagination, mythology and artistic expression into a multicultural European setting.
Under the leadership of Gerry de Guzman, the group demonstrated that Filipino creativity can take many forms and that art can build bridges between cultures.
The giant Urduja became more than a parade attraction. She became a symbol of Filipino pride and artistic ingenuity, standing tall among Vienna’s historic surroundings.
On September 5, 2026, as PAMANA V celebrated Filipino heritage in Vienna, Urduja marched into the spotlight—bringing with her the courage of a legendary warrior princess and the creativity of Filipino artists in Austria.
Pictures caption: A Legend Stands Tall in Vienna: Members of the Filipino Visual Artists in Austria (FVAA) proudly present their spectacular, more-than-five-meter-high representation of Urduja, the legendary warrior princess of Philippine folklore, during the PAMANA V Festival parade in Vienna on September 5, 2026. Led by artist Gerry de Guzman, the group turned the streets of Vienna into a moving showcase of Filipino visual art, history and cultural heritage.
- Hector Pascua
More pictures here: (1) Facebook, (Cesar Amada) (1) Facebook Emigdio Nava) and (1) Facebook (Mansy Salonga)
