Filipino-Croatian, A Showstopper at Croatian President's Inauguration

Filipino-Croatian teen Chriztel Renae Gamboa Aceveda performed during the inauguration ceremony of Croatian President Zoran Milanović on 18 February 2025 at the Presidential Office in Zagreb. (Photo: Copyright Office of the President of Croatia)

VIENNA 21 February 2025– Ms. Chriztel Renae Gamboa Aceveda, a 14-year-old born in Angeles City, Pampanga, mesmerized President Zoran Milanović of Croatia and other officials with the heartfelt a capella performance of a Croatian folk song during the Presidential inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Office in Zagreb. The Filipino-Croatian teen was personally chosen by the President to sing at his inauguration after seeing her perform at a local festival in 2024.

Ms. Aceveda’s performance of “Dej mi Boze oči sokolove” impressed the guests at the inauguration as well as the wider audience who watched the livestream broadcast, with some of the audience saying her singing “put tears in their eyes.”

Ms. Aceveda moved to Croatia with her mother and Croatian stepfather in 2022  and fell in love with Croatian traditional music. She gained the public’s attention when she auditioned and won “Supertalent” in 2023, Croatia’s franchise of the global competition “Got Talent” shows. END

Filipino-Croatian Chriztel Renae Gamboa Aceveda performed during the inauguration ceremony of Croatian President Zoran Milanović on 18 February 2025 at the Presidential Office in Zagreb. (Image: Copyright Office of the President of Croatia)

Filipino-Croatian Chriztel Renae Gamboa Aceveda with Croatian President Zoran Milanović (right). (Image: Copyright Office of the President of Croatia) 

For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustria/,  https://www.twitter.com/PHLinAustria  or https://www.instagram.com/phinaustria/