In celebration of National Arts Month in February, the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Visual Artists in Austria (FVAA) invite you to the FVAA Exhibition, “Pilipinas” on 25-27 February 2025 at Ares Tower, 21st Floor, Donau-City-Strasse 11, 1220 Vienna.
This exhibition is free for all visitors.
Visitors may register through the following link to access the exhibition venue:
https://forms.gle/ycaR2bjGvtJboL149
Bis bald!
PRESS RELEASE
Art of Filipino filmmaking in showcase with Lav Diaz and his movies in Vienna
Photo credits: Mr. Harold Khan
14 October 2024. Internationally-acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz visited Vienna for the moderated screening of his two movies, ‘‘Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan’’ (“ Norte, the End of History”) and ‘‘Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon’’ (“From What is Before”) at the Filmmuseum Vienna and masterclass filmmaking workshops at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Die Angewandte).
“Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” is a 2013 Lav Diaz film that explores the themes of crime, social class, and family, while “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon” is a 2014 period film that explores rural life in the Philippines and the roots of societal fear and oppression. Introduction sessions to the films were moderated by the Island Tides Initiative and Filmmuseum Vienna and masterclass sessions with Lav Diaz were hosted at Die Angewandte after the film showing to learn on the creative process of the filmmaking. A cooking demonstration of adobo and sinigang was part of the second day of the masterclass at Die Angewandte, providing a taste of Filipino cuisine to the participants.
The films were shown on 14 October (Norte) and 16 October (From What is Before). The filmmaking masterclass sessions with Lav Diaz were conducted on 15 October (1100H) and 17 October (1100H) at the Die Angewandte. His newest film Phantosmia will premiere on 18 October at the Viennale Festival.
Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas thanked the Island Tides Initiative for activities that foster knowledge exchange between Filipino artists and the audience in Vienna. She also thanked Filmmuseum Vienna for being the repository of Lav Diaz Films for easier access to the well-acclaimed works of the Filipino director.
The Island Tides Initiative is the interdisciplinary Philippine Research Program on artistic and curatorial practices in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with an emphasis on the Philippines. It is launched by the Department of Artistic Strategies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Die Angewandte) and supported by the Philippine Embassy in Austria. END
PRESS RELEASE
Igorot Austria Continues Isneg tradition through Say-Am Festival Celebration in Vienna
12 October 2024. In commemoration of the Indigenous Peoples Month, the Igorot Organization Austria celebrated the Say-Am Festival in Vienna. The festival was celebrated through a dinner feast of Filipino food, a parade of indigenous clothing, indigenous dances of the Mountain Province, traditional games, and community singing and dancing.
Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas commended the Igorot Organization for passing on Mountain Province traditions to the younger generation of Filipinos in Austria. She added that the Filipino traits of hospitality and multilingual upbringing set Filipinos apart and allow them to thrive in foreign lands like Austria.
The festival culminated with an audio visual presentation of the Mountain Province in the Philippines and a performance of a traditional Igorot dance. /END
PRESS RELEASE
Island Tides Initiative stages the story of migrant workers in Magic Maids Performance
Photo Credits: Mr. Gerard Rabara
12 October 2024. Island Tides Initiative brought Filipino choreographer and performing artist Ms. Eisa Jocson and Sri Lankan Ms. Venuri Perera for a one-night-only public performance of ‘‘Magic Maids’’ at the Tierquartier Vienna.
Magic Maids was a theater performance by duo Ms. Jocson and Ms. Perera. The performance explored topics such as the European witch hunt, PH myths and lores, and the plight of women and migrant workers–in particular domestic workers from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.Magic Maids used different types of brooms as props, symbolizing the witch and the maid. Around 100 people attended, mostly Filipino artists and art students in Vienna, who were captivated by the witty symbolisms and matter-of-fact mentions of the artists on actual experiences of migrant workers. After the performance, the artists interacted with the audience in a discussion on the research and work in preparation for Magic Maids.
The Island Tides Initiative is the interdisciplinary Philippine Research Program on artistic and curatorial practices in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with an emphasis on the Philippines. It is launched by the Department of Artistic Strategies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Die Angewandte) and supported by the Philippine Embassy in Austria. END.
Photo credits: Mr. Harold Khan
PRESS RELEASE
PHILIPPINES RANKS AMONG TOP COUNTRIES IN BATTLING HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIMES
Ambassador Lacanilao delivering the Philippine statement at COP-UNTOC12.
Vienna, Austria – The Philippine government highlighted its achievements in combating transnational crime at the 12th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (COP-UNTOC12) held in Vienna on 14-18 October 2024. The Philippines also received top marks against human trafficking in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, maintaining its top rank for nine consecutive years due to its vigorous campaign against perpetrators that led to multiple prosecutions and convictions.
The Philippine delegation was led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas and co-chaired by Special Envoy on Transnational Crime (SETC) Markus V. Lacanilao. Supreme Court Associate Justices Rowena Modesto-San Pedro and Maria Filomena Singh and Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez were members of the delegation.
In the Philippine national statement, SETC Lacanilao emphasized the relentless efforts of the Philippines in eradicating all forms of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, including the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The Philippine government also stressed its significant measures related to the Firearms Protocol, underscoring its strong commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by illicit firearms and its intertwining role in trafficking. END
The Philippine delegation before the start of the opening session at the Vienna International Center. (From left to right) Special Envoy Markus Lacanilao, Associate Justice Rowena Modesto-San Pedro, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas, Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh and Deputy Permanent Representative Zoilo A. Velasco.
Special Envoy on Transnational Organized Crime Markus Lacanilao pays a courtesy call on Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas at the Philippine Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations Organizations in Vienna.