Category: People and Places

As we commemorate the 127th Philippine Independence Day, I find myself reflecting not only on our nation’s history but also on what it means to be Filipino while living far from home. Here in Austria, thousands of kilometers from the Philippines, this celebration takes on a deeper, more personal meaning. It’s not just about remembering June 12, 1898—it’s about carrying our identity proudly in a foreign land. Living in Austria has opened my eyes to the richness of our heritage. We come from a country that fought for freedom with…

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11 June 2025, Vienna – In a powerful display of cultural respect and remembrance, the Filipino community in Vienna commemorated the 127th Philippine Independence Day with a poignant floral offering ceremony at the city’s historic City Hall. This year’s observance was marked by a somber atmosphere, reflecting the three-day mourning period observed in Austria after the tragedy in Graz last Tuesday, which claimed 11 lives, leaving a profound impact on the participants. The event, devoid of grandiose celebrations, served as a reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and the…

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One of the highlights of the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Vienna this year was the performance of the Rigodon de Honor. This graceful, time-honored dance has become a staple of the Filipino community’s annual ball in Austria. Spearheaded by organizers Carmen Pacaigue and Dorcy Aigner, the formation of this year’s Rigodon troupe was anything but simple. According to Pacaigue and Aigner, while many expressed interest in joining, time constraints posed a major challenge. Weekly practices began in March 2025, held mostly on weekends. To support the group, I was…

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Seventeen-year-old Marvyn Acenas, the son of Filipino parents Jun and Marielle Acenas, is making headlines in Austria—not for sinking jump shots, but for breaking tackles and reading defenses like a chess grandmaster. Marvyn originally dreamed of a basketball career. “I used to play in the park with my brothers,” he says. But at 1.72 meters tall, the odds weren’t in his favor under the rim. Everything changed when two classmates introduced him to American football. One tryout was all it took: “I fell in love with this sport straight away.”…

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The Filipino community in Austria came together on June 7, 2025, to celebrate the 127th Philippine Independence Day, a momentous occasion marked by a rich tapestry of culture, unity, and gratitude. Hosted at the prestigious Marriott Hotel in Vienna’s first district, the celebration attracted a blend of Filipino and foreign guests, all eager to honor the Philippines’ historic milestone. This gathering, orchestrated by the Council of Filipino Associations Austria (CFAA), underscored the importance of community, tradition, and philanthropy, reflecting the spirit of Filipinos both at home and abroad. A Grand…

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The event can be watched on:https://youtu.be/gJCPWml5AVE The event, themed “What Women, Youth & Civil Society can Bring to the Table to Support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) For 2030 to Ensure No One is Left Behind,” has brought together diverse speakers from different continents in a dynamic virtual format on April 29, 2025. Speakers emphasized the importance of gender equality, education, and inclusive development. Ms Kyung In van de Ven OLIVEIRA, WFWPI UN Office Vienna Representative, our moderator, introduced the first speaker and expertly guided the discussions, ensuring a…

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Vienna, Austria – June 5, 2025 – The vibrant Filipino community in Vienna will come together on June 7, 2025, to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day in a grand event at the Marriott Hotel, Vienna. Organized by the Council of Filipino Associations in Austria (CFAA) in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Austria, the festivities will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines through music, dance, and tradition. The celebration will feature diverse cultural presentations representing the three main island groups of the Philippines—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—through colorful and…

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Vienna, June 2, 2025 — The Ateneo Chamber Singers (ACS), under the masterful direction of Jonathan M. Velasco, delivered a powerful and moving performance at Canisius Church in Vienna’s 9th District on June 2. The concert, which drew both Filipino and foreign guests, featured a rich repertoire of sacred choral pieces and original Filipino compositions that captivated the audience from the first note to the last. The evening was more than just a showcase of musical excellence. It was a benefit concert in support of the Philippine-Austrian Cultural and Educational…

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Vienna, Austria – 2. June 2025 – The Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) has awarded the Global Partner of Peace Award to the Ateneo Chamber Singers, recognizing the choir’s exceptional contribution to peacebuilding through the power of music. The award was presented after the Charity Concert of the group heröd at the Canisius Church in Vienna’s 9th District by the WFWP UN Vienna Office and presented by Renate Amesbauer, General Secretary of WFWP UN Vienna and President of WFWP Austria, alongside Merle Soquila Blaschke, head of WFWP Corinthia and…

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