Category: People and Places

Vienna, Austria — The rich cultural heritage of the Igorot people took center stage at the Say-Am Festival held at the Pfarrsaal of the Parish of the Holy Apostles, Salvatorianerplatz 1, 1100 Vienna. The event, a celebration of the six provinces of the Cordillera: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, featured various regional dances, traditional attire, and music that brought the vibrant spirit of the Igorot community to life in Austria. The festival was graced by Her Excellency Ambassador Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, who served as the guest of…

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Vienna, Austria – October 12, 2024 – A momentous event unfolded at the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna’s 10th District as the Ceremonial Acceptance of the Image of Santo Niño de Cebu took place, drawing together a diverse congregation from across Europe. The ceremony was graced by the presence of distinguished delegates from Cologne, Germany, as well as Padova, Bergamo, and Milan in Italy, highlighting the deep and enduring devotion to the Santo Niño among Filipino communities in Europe. The event was a significant spiritual and cultural gathering, uniting Filipinos…

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Vienna, 10 October 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with C40 Cities, hosted a crucial “Fireside Chat on Urban Heat” at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. The event brought together key figures from urban development and experts from academia to address the growing threat of urban heat, a pressing issue as climate change accelerates and urbanization intensifies globally. Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), representing the Philippines, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in mitigating the risks of urban…

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Art has always been a medium for cultural expression and connection, a way through which individuals can communicate their thoughts and feelings. This notion was vividly brought to life at the recent “Nuances of Water” art exhibition held at the iconic Wasserturm in Vienna’s 10th District. Organized by talented members of the Filipino Visual Artists in Austria, spearheaded by noteworthy figures such as Mr. Gerry de Guzman and Imelda Perez Papai, this event not only showcased artistic prowess but also created a bridge between cultures, emphasizing the profound thematic significance…

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October 6, 2024 — The Feast of Our Lady of Manaoag was celebrated with devotion and community spirit at the Catholic Chaplaincy yesterday, drawing together the faithful in a solemn procession, communal prayer, and Holy Mass. The event began with a vibrant procession around the church’s vicinity, attended by a large gathering of devotees. Participants prayed the Holy Rosary as they walked, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The statue of Our Lady of Manaoag, adorned with flowers and candles, was carried throughout the procession, embodying the deep…

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The Philippines is taking significant strides in promoting labor cooperation with Austria, emphasizing fair, ethical, and sustainable recruitment practices. Through collaborative efforts spearheaded by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), and the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, the recent Foreign Stakeholders Summit marked a pivotal moment. This event not only marked the opening of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Vienna but also set the stage for a robust partnership aimed at enhancing labor exchanges between the two nations. The Importance of Bilateral Labor Cooperation…

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Gmunden, Austria — A delegation of high-ranking officials from the Philippines paid a heartfelt visit to Filipino nurses working at Stiftung Liebenau, St. Joseph Nursing Home in Gmunden, Upper Austria. The delegation included Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan, MWO Administrative Officer Ferdinand Capati, DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, MWO Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnel Ignacio, and officials from the Philippine Embassy in Vienna. The visit was a show of support and appreciation for the…

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Vorarlberg, Austria— The Filipino nursing community in Vorarlberg marked a significant milestone recently as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their contributions to the region’s healthcare system. Five decades ago, Fr. Eugenio Daberto, a South Tyrolean priest who once served as a parish priest in Antique, Philippines, began a journey that would change the face of healthcare in Vorarlberg. Fr. Daberto facilitated the arrival of Filipino nurses and midwives, whose compassionate care quickly endeared them to employers and patients. Numerous dignitaries attended the anniversary celebration, including Fr. Martina Rüscher, the…

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29 September 2024 – Consistent with the Philippine government’s efforts to bring its services closer to the Filipino people, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) opened a Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Vienna, which was launched during a Town Hall Meeting with the Filipino Community in Vienna.  DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac led the opening of the MWO together with Philippine Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnel Ignacio, DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre.  In…

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