Category: People and Places

There are people who pass through our lives, and there are people who leave a lasting mark on our hearts. Larry Subido was one of those people. His passing is not simply the loss of a good friend. It is also the loss of a community leader, a humanitarian, and one of the pioneering Filipino photographers in Vienna who spent years documenting the life, celebrations, struggles, and achievements of the Filipino community. Larry had been battling an unusual and rare form of cancer. His illness brought difficult days and eventually…

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VIENNA — An urgent stem cell typing drive has been organized to find a life-saving donor for 22-year-old Faiza, who urgently requires healthy stem cells to survive. The registration event, titled “Typisierungsaktion”, is scheduled to take place on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien, Haus Schönbrunn, located at Schönbrunner Straße 295, 1120 Wien. Every Swab Can Save a Life Organized in cooperation with Geben für Leben – Leukämiehilfe Österreich and supported by Caritas Pflege, the campaign calls on healthy individuals between…

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From a small gathering of Bicolanos united by their love of music and devotion to “Ina Peñafrancia,” the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Choir has grown into a vibrant musical ministry serving the Filipino Catholic community in Vienna. As the choir celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Choir Director and Conductor Ophelia Magistrado-Cortez looks back on a decade marked by faith, service, unity and devotion. From a Simple Idea to a Cherished Choir Ten years ago, the journey began very simply. A small group of Bicolanos in Vienna came together, sharing two things…

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The global stage of choral music recently bore witness to a resounding Filipino triumph. At the prestigious 44th International Choir Competition “Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” in Varna, Bulgaria, Kammerchor Manila delivered a masterclass in vocal artistry, soaring above international competitors to capture the ultimate prize: the Grand Prix. This milestone victory does more than add another prestigious trophy to the choir’s illustrious collection. By winning the Grand Prix, Kammerchor Manila has officially earned qualification for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (EGP) 2027—often regarded as the Champions League of the…

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From Vienna to the B2L—and with dreams of playing in Asia—22-year-old Filipino-Austrian guard carries his heritage, ambition and “puso” onto the court VIENNA — For Dean-Leon Cantor, basketball is more than a game. It is a family legacy, a personal ambition and a powerful connection to his Filipino roots. At just 22, the Vienna-born guard has already travelled a remarkable basketball journey. From learning the fundamentals of the game from his father to competing at a high level in Austria, Cantor has steadily worked his way through the ranks and…

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VIENNA — The Sentro ng Kulturang Filipino at Austria successfully wrapped up its vibrant multi-day “Common Diversities” event, drawing community members, artists, scholars, and advocates together for a deep exploration of diaspora experiences, shared heritage, and cross-cultural solidarity. Building on an opening day featuring project presentations, community talks, and cultural performances, the gathering reached its intellectual and creative peak during an action-packed second day on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The event is being organized by Sentro’s Christian Namiss and Arlene Castañeda. The comprehensive program offered a dynamic mix of hands-on…

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Music has a unique power to bridge continents, transcend linguistic barriers, and unite diverse communities under a shared human spirit. In Vienna, a city globally renowned for its rich musical heritage, this unifying force was vividly demonstrated during a historic milestone: the celebration of 80 years of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Philippines. At the heart of this vibrant cultural convergence stood the Musikverein Leopoldau, a celebrated brass band from Vienna’s 21st district of Floridsdorf, whose magnanimous music provided the emotional and ceremonial heartbeat for the day. A Grand…

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There is a distinct magic that fills a room when the next generation steps onto the stage to claim their roots. For the children of Filipino Cultural Heritage, a newly established cultural group dedicated to youth of Filipino background founded by Zandrine Kocjan and Georgie Savic-Rico, that magic became a reality on September 5, 2026. Making its official premiere at the highly anticipated PAMANA V event in Vienna, the group transformed months of vision into an unforgettable celebration of identity, community, and tradition. Comprising young performers aged 2 to 11…

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