Philippine independence in Vienna
All eyes and ears at the Independence Day celebration in Vienna.
Photographer: Khan Studios
Daily TribuneAll eyes and ears at the Independence Day celebration in Vienna.
Photographer: Khan Studios
Ambassador to Austria H.E. Evangelina A. Bernas.
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Austria’s Chief of Protocol Amb. Maximilian Hennig.
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Cellist Damodar Das Castillo.
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Soprano Missy Zavala.
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Henri Manzano of the UN Visitors Service.
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Atty. Darll Generyn Migano, multilateral assistant in charge of UNODC and UNCITRAL at the Philippine Embassy and daughter Ms. KC Migano.
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Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Zoilo A. Velasco and Jill Velasco.
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Minette Padilla Caces, former soprano and the embassy’s cultural assistant, and daughter Clara.
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Carmela Romero-Centeno of UNIDO and Leah Khristine Avinante of UNODC.
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Artist Gerard Rabara and mother Angelina Serrano Rabara of UNOV.
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Department of Agriculture officials Assistant Secretary Paz Benavidez and Dir. Grace Mandigma.
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Luli Bernas with son Juan Alvaro Bernas and husband Luigi Bernas.
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Embassy couple and officers Mr. Andrei Bauzon, Mrs. Candy Cypres-Bauzon, and sons Tenzo and Lucas.
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The embassy’s Finance Officer, Mrs. Louribelle Quiñones, with husband Norman and daughters Lianne and Lexine.
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Guatemala Ambassador Jorge Skinner-Klee, Austria’s Chief of Protocol Ambassador Maximilian Hennig, Ambassador to Austria H.E. Evangelina A. Bernas, and Argentina Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen.
Sabine Hwang, Jennylyn Pascua-Oezetman of UNOV, Julie Rose Cruzat-Palang of UNIDO, Ma. Carina Sto. Domingo of UNOV and Christopher Sto. Domingo of UNOOSA.
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Filipino-American visitors to Vienna Kevin, Nina, Candice and Tim Cipullo with Katrina Holigores.
The Philippines marked its 127th Independence Day in Vienna at the iconic Klimt Villa with a milestone tribute exhibit encapsulating eight decades of the Filipino spirit of international service, honoring current and former Filipino staff of the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations in Vienna.
From the theme “Filipinos in UN Vienna: 80 years of Dedication to Multilateralism,” Philippine Ambassador to Austria H.E. Evangelina A. Bernas paid tribute to the Filipino professionals who helped shape international policymaking and uphold the values of the United Nations.
“As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, allow me to honor the Filipinos who have lent their talent to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna in various capacities, and who have contributed to the advancement of multilateralism and global governance over the past decades,” Bernas said.
Guest of Honor Ambassador Maximilian Hennig, Chief of Protocol of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, expressed Austria’s appreciation to the Filipino community’s contributions to Austrian society.
“Thank you for your hospitality, for giving us football champions (David Alaba), European Song Contest winners (Johannes “JJ” Pietsch) and Filipino workers — international civil servants, scientists, university professors, engineers, entrepreneurs and many thousands of carers and medical professionals who have taken care of the most vulnerable of our society. We are privileged to be here,” he said.
Guests were treated to a performance by Maria Isabel Zavala and Damodar Das Castillo, two of the Philippines youngest rising musical talents in Vienna.
The notable occasion was attended by nearly 300 members of the diplomatic corps, business community, host government officials and the Filipino Community in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia.
It was a celebration of national pride, international solidarity and lasting legacy of Filipino excellence in the service of the global community.