Category: People and Places

VATICAN CITY — In a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected as the 267th pope on May 8, 2025, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American-born Augustinian friar to ascend to the papacy. Prevost, 69, addressed the faithful from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the words, “Peace be with all of you,” emphasizing themes of unity and continuity with his predecessor, Pope Francis. He honored Francis’s legacy and declared, “Evil will not prevail.” Born…

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Reykjavik, Iceland—24-26 April 2025 — ENFiD-Austria proudly participated in the 11th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD), held at Hotel Ísland in Reykjavik. Representing Austria were ENFiD-Austria Chairperson Maria Zelda Rojas and ENFiD Board Director Sarah Jozelle Rojas, who contributed actively to the conference themed “The Filipino Diaspora: Eco Warriors of the World.” The 2025 AGA convened delegates from ENFiD member countries across Europe—Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom—along with special guests from Finland, the…

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Honey Vargas, a talented Filipina singer specializing in Austrian folk music, will stage a concert at the Schutzhaus on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Schutzhaus am Ameisbach in the 14th district of Vienna. Known as a “Schlagersängerin” for her unique take on traditional Austrian folk music, Vargas will blend her vibrant heritage with the melodic charm of Austria’s cherished genre. Her soulful renditions of popular folk songs and charismatic stage presence left the audience in awe during her last concerts. –

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On May 5, 2025, the vibrant city of Vienna played host to a captivating new exhibition by Filipino painter Mar Balcos, titled “Art Aqua.” Held at the Gallery Vienna at Mahlergasse 11, 1010 Vienna, this exhibition delves deep into the intricate relationship between water and well-being. Balcos draws from various documents and programs from UNESCO, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the World Health Organization, integrating their insights into his extraordinary artistic narrative. The Essence of Water and Well-being 1. Exploring the Connection One of the core themes of the…

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Vienna, Austria | 5 May 2025 — In a powerful observance of World Press Freedom Day 2025, the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), the European Network of Filipino Diaspora–Austria (ENFiD-Austria), and the Llubja Wielitsch Society gathered journalists, diplomats, youth advocates, and members of civil society at the United Nations Office in Vienna. This year’s event was held under the thought-provoking theme:“Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” The commemoration began with a minute of silence observed in memoriam: Journalists…

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Filipino artist Mar Balcos will showcase his latest exhibition, “Art Aqua,” at the Art Gallery Vienna at Mahlerstrasse 11, 1010 Vienna, from May 5 to 31, 2025. The opening event, scheduled for May 5 at 5 PM, will feature special guests, including Ms. Fran Eve Wright, Acting President of UNESCO Club Vienna, and Ms. Anastasia Yatsko, Programme Director of Earth Charter Austria. Their presence highlights the exhibit’s strong ties to global sustainability and mental health advocacy. “Art Aqua” celebrates Palawan culture and its natural beauty while promoting environmental awareness and…

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The devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag joined the Parish of the Heart of Jesus parishioners in Vienna’s 21st District to mark the start of the Marian devotion in May. This also signals the beginning of their nine-day novena in honor of Our Lady of Manaoag. Held daily at the parish, the novena draws both longtime devotees and new parishioners, many of whom are members of the Filipino community in Austria. The feast day will be celebrated on May 11 with a special mass presided over by Fr. Josef Giggenbacher,…

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Sheila “Sheng” Feliciano is a Filipino artist whose creative journey spans continents and mediums. Originally from the Philippines, Sheng moved to Vienna, Austria, in 2003. Like many migrants, she arrived in a new country, uncertainly and hopeful. Art became her anchor. Her early work centered on photography—a tool for observation, documentation, and self-reflection. Through the lens, she captured everyday moments with sensitivity and detail. However, over time, Sheng began to see her photographs as more than final products. They became starting points, references that led her to explore painting as…

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On the morning of April 12, our Uber picked us up around 8:15 and dropped us at Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof. A few minutes later, our bus set off toward Croatia, passing through Slovenia’s rolling landscapes. After nearly eight hours on the road, we reached our base for the trip—Hotel Magal, nestled in the quiet coastal town of Njivice on Krk Island. The next morning, April 13, our adventure officially began. We boarded the bus and headed toward Baška, a scenic town at the southern tip of Krk Island. The one-hour drive…

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