Council of Filipino Associations in Austria Names New Set of Officers

Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad swears in Council of Filipino Associations in Austria’s new set of officers. (Vienna PE photo)

VIENNA 15 February 2019 – Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad swore in the new set of officers of the Council of Filipino Associations in Austria (CFAA). The Council chose its set of officers from the heads of the 11 organizations under its umbrella. 

In her remarks, newly inducted Council President Hilaria Garcia, who is also concurrently the president of the Igorot Association in Austria, made clear her intent to reach out to other organizations outside CFAA and to form a more consolidated Filipino Community.

During her stint, Ms. Garcia will continue to promote Philippine culture and extend assistance to marginalized communities back home. She also committed to work closely with the Philippine Embassy in Vienna on projects that will promote the Philippines in Austria.  

Ambassador Natividad gladly noted how CFAA’s new leadership has broken the proverbial glass ceiling. First, that the elected chair is a woman; and second, that she comes from an ethnic group from the Northern Philippines. The Ambassador stressed that appreciation of the Philippines’ ethnic diversity is what makes Filipinos also accepting of other cultures and the reason why we integrate so easily into our adoptive communities. This trait, among a score of others, is one that Filipinos can be proud of. 

She reminded everyone that they are emissaries of the Philippines and as such, should always show the best of what the country has to offer.

Ambassador Natividad thanked the CFAA for the support it has extended the Embassy through its previous leaders, and she assured that the Council can expect the same from the Embassy. END

Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad (center) with outgoing CFAA chair Elmer Blanco (left), and incoming CFAA chair Hilaria Garcia (right). (Vienna PE photo)

For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/ @PHLinAustria on Twitter.