Category: People and Places

Two Major Religious Celebrations This Weekend (April 25–26, 2026) Vienna’s Filipino Catholic community is preparing for a deeply meaningful and historic weekend as two major religious groups commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag—a devotion cherished by millions of Filipinos around the world. The original coronation, granted by Pope Pius XI in 1926, marked a profound recognition of the enduring faith of the Filipino people. A century later, that same devotion continues to flourish far beyond the Philippines, including here…

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Vienna, Austria — Half a century ago, three batches of young Filipino nurses—April, May, and November 1976—stepped off planes into a country whose language they did not speak, whose winters they had never felt, and whose customs were entirely new. Today, those same nurses, now grandmothers and community pillars, gather in Vienna to celebrate a milestone few migrant groups can claim: their Golden Anniversary. For the Philippine Nurses in Austria, this is more than a reunion. It is a homecoming, a thanksgiving, and a testament to the courage of a…

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Kalibo, Aklan — April 23, 2026. The Diocese of Kalibo welcomed its new shepherd as Cyril “Jojo” Buhayan Villareal was solemnly ordained and canonically installed as bishop, marking a new chapter of pastoral leadership for the local Church. The episcopal ordination took place at Kalibo Cathedral, with Archbishop Victor Bendico serving as principal consecrator. Bishop Villareal, born on March 1, 1974, in Mambusao, Capiz, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on January 24, 2026, following the retirement of Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc. His appointment was widely welcomed across the Philippines…

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Vienna, 14 April 2026 – The United Nations in Vienna witnessed a powerful fusion of melody and colour today as ENFiD-Austria, together with the VIC Music Club and VIC Art Club, presented a special Concert and Painting Exhibition. The midday event celebrated the 55th Anniversary of Chinese-Austrian diplomatic relations under the banner of peace and cultural understanding. The programme, which ran from 12:00 to 12:45, opened with a very warm welcome remarks from VIC Music Club President, Mr. Sean Dunlop, encouraging the performers to keep on using usic as an instrument…

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Vienna, 20 April 2026 — The vibrant flavors of the Philippines took center stage on Monday as the Philippine Embassy in Austria, in partnership with Plus43 Bar, launched Philippine Cocktail Week 2026. Supported by Destileria Barako, Tanduay Rum, and Destileria Limtuaco Official, the event showcased five exceptional Filipino-made spirits at Plus43 Bar on Westbahnstrasse 10, Vienna’s 7th district. The celebration marks the beginning of a week-long promotion of Filipino mixology and craftsmanship, running from 20 to 25 April 2026. Five Signature Cocktails Inspired by Filipino Flavors For this year’s edition,…

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VIENNA, Austria — Filipino and Austrian cultures merged over wooden boards, cowrie shells, stones and glass marbles on 18 April 2026 at the RAMBAK Austria Sungka Workshop 2026 . Held in collaboration with the Austrian-Philippine Society, the event brought together migrants, locals, and academics for an afternoon of heritage gamin. It opened with an informative presentation on ancient Sungka and the Mancala family of games, delivered by Dr. Johann Stockinger. Attendees then shared childhood memories of Sungka—comparing rule variations passed down through generations in Philippine provinces versus those adapted by the diaspora.…

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Vienna, Austria — Filipinos in Austria will have another opportunity to register for overseas voting as the Philippine Embassy in Vienna brings its mobile registration services to the Pinoy Food Festival at SV Donau on Saturday, 18 April 2026, from 11:00 to 15:00. The Embassy announced that it will set up a dedicated booth at the festival grounds located at Weissauweg 1, 1220 Vienna, to accommodate overseas voting registration, reactivation of records, and transfer of registration for the 2028 Philippine National Elections. Embassy officials encourage eligible Filipinos to take advantage…

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Vienna, Austria — April 11, 2026. The Association of Pangasinenses in Austria (APA) celebrated a major milestone as it marked its 20th founding anniversary with a vibrant gathering in Vienna’s 22nd District. Members, supporters, and friends of the organization came together to honor two decades of community service, cultural pride, and solidarity among Pangasinenses and the wider Filipino community in Austria. The event’s guest speaker was Mr. Delmer Cruz, Labor Attaché and head of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Vienna under the Philippine Embassy. In his keynote message, Mr.…

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Vienna, Austria — A beloved Filipino pastime is taking center stage this spring as RAMBAK and the Philippine-Austrian Society team up to host “Let’s Play Sungka — or is it Mancala?”, an evening dedicated to culture, community, and friendly competition. The event will take place on April 18, 2026, from 17:30 to 20:00 at gretl Margareten, Einsiedlerplatz 7, 1050 Wien. Admission is free, with voluntary donations warmly welcomed. Sungka, a traditional Filipino board game played with shells or stones, is part of the broader global family of mancala-style games. While…

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