Category: People and Places

Austria’s Eurovision champion, JJ—Johannes Pietsch—returned to Vienna on Sunday, sparking a media frenzy and back-to-back coverage on ORF. The 24-year-old countertenor, fresh off his victory in Basel with the operatic-techno anthem “Wasted Love,” was greeted at Vienna International Airport by hundreds of fans waving flags, playing his song, and showering him with hugs and roses. JJ, who also performs at the Vienna State Opera, held his Eurovision trophy and thanked them for their warm welcome. His emotional homecoming quickly transitioned into a press conference at the ORF headquarters, where he…

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Johannes “JJ” Pietsch, an Austro-Filipino who just won the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Filipinos worldwide who supported him throughout his journey. During a press conference held after the show, Pietsch was asked by a Filipino audience member about how it felt to represent the Philippines once again on the world stage. Responding in Tagalog, JJ conveyed his appreciation to his fellow Filipinos, acknowledging their unwavering support and encouragement. “Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Ang pangarap ko ay natupad dahil sa inyo,” he said,…

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Vienna, Austria – The Ateneo Chamber Singers (ACS), a distinguished choral group from the Philippines, will grace the stage at Canisius Kirche on Monday, June 2, 2025, for an evening of choral and sacred music. Organized in collaboration with the Philippine-Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), the event promises an inspiring repertoire performed by a globally acclaimed ensemble. The concert will run from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Canisius Kirche, located at Lustkandlgasse 36, 1090 Vienna. Admission is free, but with limited slots available, attendees are encouraged to register…

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Vienna, Austria — In celebration of National Heritage Month, the Philippine Embassy in Vienna invites the public to a free special screening of the acclaimed Filipino film K’na the Dreamweaver. The event will occur on May 23, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Village Cinema 7, in Wien Mitte at Landstraßer Hauptstraße 1B, 1030 Wien. Written and directed by Ida Anita Del Mundo, the film explores the indigenous culture of the T’boli people of South Cotabato, Mindanao. It tells the story of K’na, a young dreamweaver whose talent…

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Vienna, Austria, 15 May 2025  – The monthly Welcoming Coffee of the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG), held on 14 May 2025 at the UN in Vienna, turned into a platform for youthful insight and digital empowerment, thanks to compelling presentations delivered by ENFiD-Austria under the banner of Education & Learning and Empowering Euro-Filipino Youth—two of the core E-pillars of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD). In a room filled with an international audience, the spotlight was on Sarah Jozelle Rojas, ENFiD-Austria Public Relations Officer and ENFiD Director, who…

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Athens, Greece — 29 March 2025 — In a landmark gathering of Filipino migrant leaders, the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) held its 11th “Diaspora to Dialogue” (D2D 11.0) Talk Series in Athens, Greece. Held at the Pinoy Fitness Dance Studio on Alistratis 3 in Ambelokipi, the event was themed “Filipinos in Greece: Strong, Resilient, United” and marked the first-ever D2D in Greece—a promising step toward establishing ENFiD-Greece. The event was spearheaded by ENFiD Vice Chairperson Jeffrey Morales (ENFiD-Germany) in close cooperation with Accredited Community Partners (ACP) and Filipino…

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Mar Balcos, a Filipino artist whose life journey has been shaped by the powerful duality of water, as a source of childhood joy and enduring trauma, emerges as a profound voice in the intersection of art, mental health, and environmental advocacy. In this candid conversation with the Austrian Press, Mar reflects on the personal experiences that inspired the creation of ‘Art Aqua,’ a project that connects the therapeutic flow of art with the essence of water, drawing deeply from the rich cultural heritage of Palawan. From using art as a…

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Vienna, Austria—3 April 2025— The European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria), represented by its chairperson, Maria Zelda Rojas, and press relations officer and ENFiD board director, Sarah Jozelle Rojas, presented a compelling narrative report on their participation in the WFWPI Advocacy Training Workshop held in New York on 8-9 March 2025. Organized by the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI), the workshop brought together 60 +/- global leaders and advocates from 17 countries to deepen their understanding of peacebuilding, policy influence, gender equity, rights, and empowerment, and the ethical…

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The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced an extension for the self-enrollment period for Filipino overseas voters. Eligible voters have until noon Philippine Standard Time (PST) on May 12, 2025, to complete their registration. The previous deadline was set earlier, but COMELEC has decided to extend it to provide more time for overseas Filipinos to register and participate in the upcoming elections. This initiative aims to ensure that every qualified Filipino living abroad has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. For those residing outside the Philippines, verifying the…

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