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Point of View/Actual News
and Events
New in our Photo
Album: Roadshow Presentation - Schwedenplatz,
Concert of Chokoleit in Vienna,
T-Mobile Anniversary,
Trip of Bikol Soceity to Italy, Aegis Concert in Vienna, 50th Birthday Celebration of Edsel
Angeles
*****
Philippine bowling League in Vienna
- established
 In
Vienna, Austria, bowling favours the sportsman’s year-round calendar
as there is no need to worry about extreme outdoor temperatures.
Tracing back to almost two decades ago, a few Filipino bowlers in
Vienna took on this sport by joining leagues and tournaments
organized by local bowling centers (perhaps to alleviate the rigours
of expatriate life). As years went on, the number of enthusiasts
grew, prompting them to organize themselves into a group to meet the
eventual demands of growth as evidenced by a bigger membership and
better bowling skills. This is the very reason why Philippine
Bolwing League in Austria was founded. Though the initative of
Bowling Aficionados in Austria - Larry Subido, Cathy Calupas, Noel
Alarcon and Carlos Gonzales – PBLA came in existence.
The
founders are looking forward in the envision of triumph of
competitive spirit, sportsmanship and camaraderie among Pinoys in
Austria. more in the December issue of BikolExpress
*****
 INTERNATIONAL
CHARITY
BAZAAR 2009
Saturday 28 November, 10:00-17:00
●Quality crafts & food from around the
world
●International Cultural Shows
●Multi-media displays + much, much more
*****
Filipinos in Austria proud of
Pacman’s victory
 Filipinos
in Austria joined millions of Filipinos in celebration over Manny
Pacquiao’s demolition of the Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto last
Sunday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Rene
Nunez, a Pinoy leader in Vienna said Pacquiao’s victory proved
once again that the Filipinos can excel in any endeavor and be
source of national pride and unity.
“Manny Pacquiao has always been and is the pride of the Philippines.
His win proves to the world that Filipinos can excel in any endeavor,
whether it is in the field of politics, public service, sports, or
entertainment. Manny proves to us that no fighter coming from the
West or from the East can stand in his way to promote goodwill for
the Filipino people,” said Nunez.
more
***
Pre Launching of HOPE - Honest,
Orderly and Peaceful Election
 A
group of concernced Filipinos headed by PINAS First chairman Manny
Sarmiento planned to stage a big launching of an intiative that
could help Filipino migrant voters in Austria to participate in the
forthcoming May 2010 national elections int he Philippines.
HOPE will be launched on November 30, 2009, 7-9 pm at the
"Breitenfeld Pfarre", Florianigasse 70, 1080 Wien (U6
Josefstädterstrasse)
„We all know that in May 2010, around 46 million Filipinos,
including us here abroad thru the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV),
will exercise our most sacred right of suffrage. Will we make it in
choosing and installing the right person/s to lead our country this
time around? Historical records of the electoral process document
Dirty and Unorderly Elections (DUE). In fact, the open issue of the
2004 election, the scandal of "Hello Garci" tapes, is still fresh in
our minds,“ Sarmiento told Bikol Express news.
more
details
*****
X'mas Preparation in the
Philippines
 Christmas is just around the corner!
Once September started, Philippines
becomes much more alive with colorful,
blinking, jolly lights.
Christmas is the most awaited season
along with New Year for Filipinos and
they are most excited to prepare and
decorate their house early in September.
Manila, the countries capital, displays
all kinds of Christmas lights. People
from around the country always finds
their way on making their own Christmas
lanterns when they cannot afford
expensive ones on sale.
Carolers usually the neighborhood
children make their rounds on the
neighborhood singing Christmas carols.
Whether you are a tourist wanting to
learn more on how Filipinos prepare for
these holiday seasons, or you just want
to learn this culture,
read on.
*****
PINOY RELAX CELEBRATES 4th YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Josie
Santos, Pinay manager of Pinoy Relax - a mobile phone company in
Austria that caters to the need of the Filipino community- is very
happy that the company celebrates its 4th year
anniversary.
Santos was a former insurance agent before joining
Pinoy Relax. Her old job helped her improve her skills in selling
and promoting the company’s products.
“Ever since I started here, I've really felt at ease.
Actually, I do not have lots of difficulties in selling the product.
As an insurance agent before, I have already the needed background
to sell a specific product,” said Santos.
Whether at work or at social functions, Santos offers
and promotes Pinoy Relax to every Filipino Austrian she meets.
“Lahat ng mga Pilipinong makita ko, tinatanong ko
kung gusto nilang magka-cellphone. Everywhere I go, in the
underground train, in the church, even in restaurants where
Filipinos meet, I always approach them and ask if they want to apply
for a Pinoy Relax cellphone. Lahat ng Pilipino organization
pinupuntahan ko para magbigay ng mga flyers, magbigay ng sponsors,
mag-promote talaga,” Santos said.
more details -
for more pictures -
click here
Laffing Out Loud - Halakhakan
kahit Krisis
The first and maiden show organized by FIL-CONNECT
DREAMVISIONS last
November 1, 2009 entitled " Laffing Out
Loud ", ( Halakhakan Kahit Krisis ) featuring the country's
top comedian and entertainer, Chocoleit, paired with sexy
singer Ethel Booba.
more
pictures here
*****
Pinoys in Austria solicit aid for Ondoy victims
 AUSTRIA
– The ingenuity and generosity of Filipino overseas
workers have been proven again as thousands of them
continue to send financial support and donations to
their countrymen affected by tropical storm Ondoy.
“After the devastating flash floods that brought the
whole Manila under water, it is the time that we
will see all the goodness in the world, especially
Filipinos working outside the Philippines. Everybody
is trying to lend a helping hand in some way or
another. Indeed, the “Bayanihan” spirit is very much
vivid everywhere,” said Volet Gerstl, publisher and
editor of a local Pinoy news-magazine in Austria.
more details
*****
Aegis raises
funds for Ondoy victims during Vienna show
 VIENNA
- The phenomenal Aegis band not only rocked Vienna but also appealed
to Filipinos to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.
During the concert last October 4, 2009 at the
Arcotel Wimberger, Hotel Vienna, Aegis took the opportunity to
appeal for financial support from their fans and audience.
The donations will be given to the victims of
tropical storm Ondoy that hit the country last September 26, 2009
and caused massive flooding in Metro Manila and South Luzon
provinces.
more details
*****
Philippine Retirement Authority Roadshow
Presentation in Vienna
The
Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) headed by
HON. PDGEN. EDGAR B. AGLIPAY, PNP
(Ret.) Chairman, Member, PRA Board of Trustees,
held a successful roadshow
presentation of the services of PRA in Vienna on September 28, 2009.
Aglipay explained that the Philippine Retirement Authority
is a government owned and controlled corporation which was created
by virtue of Executive Order No. 1037, which was signed by then
President Ferdinand E. Marcos, on 04 July 1985. On 31 August 2001,
through Executive Order No. 26, the control and supervision of PRA
was transferred to the Board of Investments (BOI) from the Office of
the President.
Objective of the PRA is to attract foreign nationals and former
Filipino citizens to invest, reside and retire in the Philippines
with the end-view of accelerating the socio-economic development of
the country, contributing to the foreign currency reserve of the
economy and by providing them the best quality of life in the most
attractive package. Further, Aglpay mentioned that PRA provides
excellent and world class services centered towards customer-valued
quality of life that is easy, pleasant and beneficial to foreign
retirees and global Filipinos, as a channel of accelerating the
socio-economic development of the country.
more pictures in
our Photo Album
Penafrancia Celebration in Vienna
The
7th Nuestra Senora de Peñafrancia fluvial procession was celebrated
on September 19, 2009 on board the MS Tegethoff, a passenger vessel
crusing along the Danube River. The feast was organized the Bikol
Society in Austria (BSA) and was attended by more than 600 Filipino
and Austrian friends.
During the more than two hours boat trip along the Danube River
going to Tulln, a province in the Lower Austrian region, the
organizers and devotees prayed novena to Ina. A colorful cultural
presentation was also prepared by the Bicolanos. Msgr. Claro Caluya
of the diocese of Masbate, Philippines, joined his fellow Bikolanos
in celebrating this Marian festival.
more pictures
here
*****
Group shows richness of Pinoy
culture in Austria
 A
Filipino dance troupe based in Austria charmed guests at the
recently held Philippine Fiesta festival and exposition at the Haus
der Bagegnung in Vienna’s 19th District.Folklorico
Filipino-Austria’s performance was based on a colorful Filipino
cultural and historical experiences.
The group is the most eminent theatrical Filipino dance company in
Austria, if not in Western Europe.Founded in the late 1980’s, the
company's name rings a bell in Austria as an active and visible
representative of the Filipino community.
more
*****
Cruise Ship's Executive Chef is a
Bicolano
A Filipino working as an executive
chef of a tourist ship that cruises the Mediterranean Sea attributed
his success to hard work, love for cooking and good food.
 “One
of the best characteristics of Filipinos would be their love for
food. I know, we all love food. Americans, Europeans, Asians - all
of us loves to eat. But there is something in Filipinos that makes
us stand out in the field of gastronomy. It’s a common knowledge
that eating is a necessity. But for us, it’s more than that,”
Angelito Cabanas said.
Cabanas is the chef of tourist ship
MS Coral. His responsibilities are to take care of the MS Coral
family and guests and their daily meals from breakfast, lunch and
dinner.
more details
Community News
Investing
in real estate nowadays is so easy and profitable that people are
pouring their money on buying lands and properties in the
Philippines. Before, land properties are strictly upper-income level
marketing, but now, middle-income people can buy their own property.
Mostly, the OFW's that come home or retire have their fair share of
real estate Philippines.
more
*****
Barrio Fiesta 2009 celebration in
Vienna 
The Filipino community in
Austria felt a deeper meaning of community as they celebrated its
annual Barrio Fiesta celebration at the ground of the La Salle
Brothers in Strebersdorf, 1210 Vienna.
Barrio Fiesta, which means
neighborhood celebration, is a gathering of Filipino culture through
which different Philippine neighborhoods celebrate their patron
saints.
Beginning in the early 90’s, Barrio
Fiesta celebration in Austria sought to educate the Filipino
community about the richness of the Pinoy culture. Each year the
event has become increasingly popular.
details
more pictures in
our Photo Gallery
 in
our Photo Gallery
Integrations
Conference: Rathaus, Vienna, Lange Nacht der Kirche (Stefean
Fadinger Platz), Philippine Food Festival in Ansfelden
*****
Philippine Food
Festival in Linz, Upper Austria
Congen
Almojuela with prominent politicians in Linz. Far right: Mr. Cocoy
Bayta, President of PAO.
The Philippine Austrian Organization in Linz a
Philippine Food Festival. Hundreds of guests from Vienna and
neighboring towns joined the big event. Members from the Austrian
National
Assembly and the Mayors of Haid and Ansfelden
delivered
inspiring messages to the Filipinos in Austria, acknowledging their
enormous contribution to the Austrian society. Consul General Ma.
Theresa Almojuela extended her appreciation to the outstanding and
friendly relations among the Austrian and Filipinos in Linz.
In his written message, Ambassador Linglingay Lacanlale said that "Ansfelden's
warm acceptance of the Philippine cultural and food festival is a
testament of efforts in Austria to build a society, reflecting
cultural integration and harmony."
more pictures here
*****
Fil-Austrian Tara
Starnegg, hotshot manga artist in Vienna
 Tara
Starnegg, a 21-year-old Filipina-Austrian, is making a name in
Austria in the field of arts. Tara specializes in the art of drawing
"manga" or Japanese comics, including print cartoons.
Tara’s works are highly-acclaimed not only in Austria but also in
Japan, the origin of manga.
At a young age, Tara participated in numerous drawing competitions
in Europe and garnered major awards.
In 2006, Tara joined the European Manga Art Competition together
with 50 artists from all over Europe. She won the competition.
more details
*****
PISTA NG KABITE and INDUCTION
BALL
The
traditional celebration of the Pista ng Kabite
took place at the ATCO Hall, Percostrasse, 1220 Vienna on May 16,
2009. Mr. Ed Vista, the newly elected President of the Circulo
Caviteno in Austria said that the Pista
ng Kavite, is a display of the Caviteno's devotion to their
respective patron saints. It is a pride for the Cavitenos, that
although they are in a land foreign land, they could still maintain
these tradition that genuinely reflect the Filipino culture.
Outgoing
president is Mr. Rolly Mercado.
more pictures here
*****
Plastic surgery Seminar - hosted by
Philippine Nurses Association-Austria (PNA-A), AKH Seminar Room.
Dr. Chieh-Han ZHOU - Vortragender - youngest Korean Plastic Surgeon
in Vienna -
more pictures here
*****
Members of the
Bikol Society in Austria during the last General Assembly. Volet SB.
Gerstl has been elected president during the Assembly
The NEW OFFICERS
OF BIKOL SOCIETY IN AUSTRIA
more pictures
here
*****
| 
26.11.2009
More
than 30 young second and third generation Filipinos participated in
an art workshop which culminated in a successful showcase
presentation in Vienna.
A
Filipino women’s group based in Austria held a charity bowling
tournament to benefit its scholarship projects in the southern
Philippines._Seite_01.jpg)
_Seite_15.jpg)
Teresita
Papa, a nurse by profession arrived in Switzerland in the
early 80’s. She joined the “Ausländerbeirat” on January
2008. Papa told BikolExpress.net, “Since I came to
Switzerland in 1983, I find it very interesting to know the
culture of the people here. This is the very reason why I
was convinced to join the “Ausländerbeirat”. Through this, I
came to know a lot of people from different cultures, too.
It is also my little way of thanking the country for the
warm acceptance to us Filipinos.”
