PH Embassy in Vienna Honors Filipino Migrant Community in Austria on 122nd PH Independence Day
From left: Philippine Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, Vienna City Mayor and Governor Michael Ludwig, and Philippine-Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES) President Maria Lourdes Reininger. (Vienna PE photo)
VIENNA 18 June 2020 — In her first public appearance since Austria declared its two-month long lockdown, Philippine Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad joined the Philippine–Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES) in a Flower Laying Ceremony to commemorate the 122nd anniversary of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2020. Vienna City Mayor and Governor Michael Ludwig also graced the occasion.
The PACES-organized event was held under a Catalpa tree in Rathaus Platz, the city square which houses the seat of local government of Vienna. The Catalpa tree, which symbolizes Filipino presence in Austria, was planted 22 years ago on the occasion of the Centennial Jubilee of Philippine Independence in June 1998.
Ambassador Natividad and Mayor Ludwig both honored the vibrant and well-integrated Filipino community in Austria. Mayor Ludwig, in his remarks, mentioned that most of the 9,300 Filipinos in Vienna work in healthcare and social institutions. “Thanks to their empathy and enthusiasm, they have become indispensable there. In COVID times in particular, they have made an important contribution to maintain public services,” he added.
The Philippine Ambassador and the Mayor and Governor of Vienna reaffirmed Philippines-Austria friendship and cooperation for a meaningful 75th anniversary of relations of the two countries in 2021. END
Philippine Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, Vienna City Mayor and Governor Michael Ludwig, exchange elbow handshake. (Vienna PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/ or https://www.twitter.com/PHLinAustria