Category: People and Places

Rome, Italy – August 2025 – A group of Filipino devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag in Vienna, led by the Association of Pangasinenses in Austria, are in Rome this week as “Pilgrims of Hope” for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage, which gathers faithful from around the world, is part of the universal Church’s celebration of the Jubilee of Hope, a year dedicated to spiritual renewal, prayer, and solidarity among Catholics. Centered on Marian Devotion For the Filipino community in Austria, devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag…

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After almost seven hours on the road from Vienna, Austria, the first glimpse of Kraljevica felt like stepping into another world. This small coastal town, tucked just beneath the sweeping span of the Krk Bridge, shimmered under the late afternoon sun. The Adriatic stretched out in front of us—deep blue, calm, and endless. Our base for the week, Hotel Uvala Scott, sat high on a mountain loop, its terraces spilling toward views of the sea and the island of Krk. Away from the hum of the town, the only soundtrack…

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Kahlenberg, AUSTRIA — The Filipino Visual Artists Association in Austria (FVAA) turned the slopes of Kahlenberg into an open-air studio last weekend, as members gathered for an outdoor painting session led by FVAA chairman Gerry de Guzman. With panoramic views of Vienna unfolding below, the group set up easels among the gentle rows of Kahlenberg’s vineyards. The scene was a painter’s dream: the vibrant green of the grapevines, the shimmer of the Danube, and the hazy skyline of the Austrian capital in the distance. Some artists focused on the majestic…

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The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) continues its upward trajectory. In a recent survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, an estimated 2.16 million OFWs were working abroad between April and September 2023, marking a 9.8% increase over the 1.96 million recorded in 2022 (psa.gov.ph, philstar.com). Women comprised the majority of OFWs in 2023, totaling 1.20 million (55.6%), while male OFWs numbered about 958,000 (psa.gov.ph). Regional Distribution Asia remains the dominant region for OFW placements, hosting 80.8% of the workforce. Key countries include: Saudi Arabia: 23% United Arab Emirates (UAE):…

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Vienna, Austria — The public is invited to register for a compelling lecture hosted by PACES: “A Filipino Journey in Science and Medicine: Reflections on Two Decades of Discovery, Innovation, and Impact,” featuring Dr. Melvin Sanicas, 2024 Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Awardee and Global Medical Affairs Vaccine Lead at Bavarian Nordic, based in Zurich. The lecture will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Vienna (Donaustrasse 11, 1220 Vienna). Dr. Sanicas will share his insights from two decades at the intersection…

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VIENNA—On August 4, 2025, the pioneering group of Filipino nurses who arrived in Austria in 1975 marked their 50th anniversary with a heartfelt reunion in Vienna. The gathering was a moment of reflection and pride, as the nurses shared memories of their decades-long journey serving in Austria’s healthcare system. The event brought together former colleagues and friends, now retired, who once helped shape the foundations of intercultural nursing care in the country. Many of these nurses arrived during a period when Austria faced a shortage of healthcare professionals. Their skills,…

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Amstetten, Austria – Vincent Bueno, the acclaimed Filipino‑Austrian singer and performer, shines in the title role of the Uraufführung (world premiere) of Augustin – das Musical, currently running at the celebrated AVB Musical Sommer Amstetten through August 10, 2025. A Role of Cultural Significance and Emotional Resonance In this adaptation of the cult Hörspiel by Wolfgang Ambros, Joesi Prokopetz, and Manfred Tauchen, Vincent Bueno embodies the legendary 17th‑century Wiener Volkssänger Augustin—a man who famously survived a night in a pest grave to emerge as a symbol of optimism and urban folklore. As…

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Maragondon, Cavite – The Global Save Life Foundation (GLSF), led by its founder Mr. Elmer Blanco, will conduct a medical outreach program on August 2, 2025, at Brgy. Bucal, Maragondon, Cavite, starting at 10:00 AM (Philippine Time). This initiative, organized in cooperation with the Council of Filipino Associations in Austria and generous individuals who support the Foundation’s mission, will provide free medical consultations and essential health services to residents of the barangay. The outreach also marks a personal milestone, aligning with the birthday celebration of Mr. Blanco, whose unwavering commitment…

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