Category: People and Places

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Maria Zelda Magistrado Rojas was formally accepted into the Order of the Golden Spur (Ritterorden zum Goldenen Sporn) during a solemn ceremony held at the historic St. Michael’s Church in the heart of Vienna. The event, steeped in centuries-old tradition and guided by the motto “Avitus et famam tuetur” brought together distinguished members of the Order, esteemed guests, and honorees from around the world. The investiture began with a ceremonial procession, followed by a Holy Mass celebrated by Military Chaplain MMMag. Christoph Gmachl-Aher. The Grand…

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The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with the Philippine Embassy and MWO-OWWA in Vienna, is bringing the Alagang OWWA Wellness and Membership Service Caravan to Linz, Austria, on September 21, 2025 (Sunday), from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event is MWO-OWWA’s way of reaching out to the Filipino community in Austria. Services available on this day: 📌 Where: Linz, Austria📅 When: September 21, 2025 (Sunday)🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Come, meet fellow OFWs, and take part in the services prepared especially for all. For more details,…

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August 30, 2025 – Lower Austria – Lower Austria came alive on August 30, 2025, as communities gathered for the annual Fest der Begegnung, a vibrant celebration of culture, music, and food that showcased the strength of unity in diversity. The festival transformed the region into a meeting place of traditions from across the globe. Guests enjoyed culinary delights from different continents while being treated to a rich program of music and dance. The event underlined one message: togetherness thrives when cultures meet, share, and celebrate side by side. The…

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Vienna, Austria – August 30, 2025 – The Retired Nurses Association in Austria (RFNAA) marked a historic milestone as it celebrated its first anniversary at the Marriott Hotel, Vienna. The event gathered retired Filipino nurses, community leaders, diplomats, and friends in a night filled with gratitude, recognition, and cultural pride. A highlight of the evening was the tribute to the pioneering Filipino nurses who first arrived in Austria five decades ago. These women and men dedicated countless years of service, caring for the sick, comforting the weary, and bringing dignity…

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Saturday, August 23, 2025 – We woke up with an unusual mix of excitement and melancholy, knowing this was the last leg of our tour. Breakfast at Hotel Schischek set the tone: hearty, fresh, and enough to carry us through the morning. With our bags packed and bikes ready, we rolled out of Unterpurkla filled with energy, eager to savor every remaining kilometer. The route south was gentle and familiar in its rhythm. We passed through small Styrian villages, each with its red-tiled roofs, farmyards, and the comforting smell of…

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Friday, August 22, 2025 – Our night at Hotel Pendl in Kalsdorf bei Graz was restful. The evening before, we had ventured out in search of something special for dinner. A quick walk brought us to Restaurant Auszeit, about a kilometer from our hotel, famous for its ribs and wings. The garden terrace was fully packed, and we ended up at a table inside. To our disappointment, we learned that the specialty ribs were no longer available that evening. We settled on another dish, filling enough but not quite the…

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Velden am Wörthersee, Austria — August 16, 2025 — The Philippines-Austrian Community in Carinthia (PACC) proudly celebrated its first-ever “Pista sa Nayon” (Barrio Fiesta) in Velden am Wörthersee, marking a milestone of cultural pride, unity, and joyful togetherness. The event was a resounding success, bringing together Filipinos, Austrians, and friends from across communities to experience the warmth and vibrancy of Filipino traditions. The celebration featured colorful cultural highlights, delicious Filipino food, music, and games that delighted both young and old. One of the major attractions was the Nipa Hut photo…

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August 21, 2025 – Thursday – We had officially reached the halfway mark of our bike tour: more than 280 kilometers pedaled since leaving Muhr. Today’s stage would take us from Bruck an der Mur to Kalsdorf bei Graz, just 10 kilometers shy of the Styrian capital itself. The morning began with a touch of doubt. The forecast had warned of rain, and over breakfast we debated whether the skies would cooperate. In the end, we decided not to let the weather dictate our plans. We packed our bags carefully,…

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August 20, 2025 – Our night in Judenburg was restful, and after a filling breakfast at Hotel Schwerterbräu, right in the heart of town, we set off once again. Before rejoining the Murradweg, we made a short stop at St. Magdalena Church. Built in 1350, its Gothic walls hold centuries of history, and we paused for a quiet moment of personal prayer before continuing our journey. Today’s route would lead us nearly 80 kilometers south to Bruck an der Mur. Just like the day before, the terrain offered steady slopes…

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