Category: People and Places

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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Vienna, Austria — August 2025 – RAMBAK proudly took part in this year’s Paaralan sa Pasuguan 2025, hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines in Vienna. For the first time, we held a workshop exclusively for children, bringing together participants aged 7 to 17 years old for an afternoon of fun, creativity, and cultural exchange. In their three-hour session, the kids played an interactive quiz show, shared stories about their favorite Filipino dishes, and designed their hand-painted shopping bags to take home. The room was filled with laughter, curiosity, and…

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Mariazell, Austria – August 15, 2025 – The Through Mary to Jesus Foundation marked the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with its traditional one-day pilgrimage to Mariazell. The annual event, held on August 15, brought together members, supporters, and friends of the Foundation in a spirit of prayer, unity, and devotion. This pilgrimage has become a cherished tradition for the Foundation, reflecting its mission to deepen the faith of the Church and encourage acts of charity and service. Participants gathered to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary,…

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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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