Vienna, Austria, 13 September 2024

Despite the warning of Austria’s meteorological service about heavy rainfall in Vienna, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 90 kilometres per hour, devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Austria attended the  first day Novena Mass, the commencement of the  31^st Penafrancia festivities organized by Bikol Society Austria (BSA) in cooperation with the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna.

The Novena Massis a series of nine days of prayer and reflection leading up to the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It was held in Salvator am Wienerfeld (SaW), Wienerfeldgasse 11, 1120 Vienna, Austria and will continue at the same time and venue until 20 September, with the faithful devotees gathering for a solemn Mass and devotional service followed by an Agape, which provides an opportunity for the faithful to come together, share a meal, and strengthen their spiritual connection.

The Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna led by its Chaplain, Fr Ely Dalanon, played a pivotal role in supporting the festivities. The Mass was celebrated with reverence and joy, as the community came together to honour the patroness of Bicolandia and to seek her intercession.

BSA is a Filipino community organization based in Austria, founded to promote and preserve the cultural heritage and religious traditions of the Bicolano people specially the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Since its establishment, BSA has played a central role in organizing the annual devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Vienna, which began in 1993. The Society fosters unity among its members while supporting various charitable and cultural initiatives both in Austria and the Philippines. Through its activities, BSA remains a strong pillar of the Filipino-Austrian community.

The Peñafrancia Festivities are not only a significant religious events but also a testament to the vibrant Filipino community in Vienna, showcasing their rich cultural heritage and devotion. A vital part of it is the 20^th Fluvial Procession on the Danube River on 21 September on board the flagship of the DDSG Blue Danube, the MS Admiral Tegetthoff followed by a Concelebrated Mass in the St Philipp and Jacob Church, Hauptplatz 24, 2410 Hainburg an der Donau

As a culmination of the festivities, there will be Concelebrated Mass on 22 September in SaW,  which is an  important milestone, this year being the 100^th Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of Our lady. Bishop Luisito Occiano from Virac, Catanduanes will be the main celebrant together with Fr Ely Dalanon, Assistant Chaplain Fr Vic Tamayo and visiting priests from Italy, Fr Edmer Eronga and from the Philippines, Fr Jovic Lobrigo.

For more information about the ongoing festivities and schedule of events, please contact BSA Officers and Hermana/o Mayor 2024.

President: Marizel Rojas

Vice President: Ning Lobrigo

Secretart: Sarah Jozelle Rojas

Treasurer: Noemi Callo

Auditor: Rose Decena

PRO: Audrey Tzakovski

Hermana Mayor 2024: Lolit Kaszuba

Hermana Mayor 2024:  Delia Jacob

Hermano Mayor 2024:  Luigi Bernas

Bikol Society Austria (BSA)

ZVR ZAHL: 902129490

M: 069914596190

E: bikolsocietyaustria@gmail.com

About the Author

Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas, President of Bikol Society Austria (BSA) from 2016 to 2024, is a dedicated leader and ardent devotee of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Her commitment to the Filipino and International communities extends across multiple organizations, serving as Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria), Board Member of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD, Founder and former president of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), Adviser and Former President of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), and Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV) and Councillor and Liaison for the Philippines of the European Police Association (EPA) and Auditor of the Vienna International Centre Gastronomy Club (VIC GC). She is a member of the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) and received the Most Influential Filipina Women in the WorldTM (Global FWN100™) “Behind the Scenes” award in 2019.

Photos by Lolit Vendivil Kaszuba

Vienna, Austria, 8 October 2022 – Despite the seemingly cold October weather, Pinays in traditional dirndl dresses (fluffy-sleeved dress topped by a peasant blouse that comes in various cuts which, depending on the inclination of the wearer, can go from conservatively buttoned or plungingly bosom-revealing) marched to the premises of the Parish Garden of Leopoldau in 21th District Vienna,  to join the Bikol Society in Austria Filipino Oktoberfest.

“This year’s Oktoberfest will be a milestone not only for the Bicol Society but also for the organization’s objectives of promoting charitable work since we have projects for our “kababayan’s in the Bikol province,” Marizel Rojas, president of Bicol Society in Austria said.

“We staged this  Oktoberfest because we feel it can bring people closer together. That’s what this festival is all about—just to come together and get to know each other,” Rojas said.

“I am happy that the Filipino community has initiated such a great event. We hope this Oktoberfest will help promote camaraderie among the Filipinos and Austrians,” Rev. Fr. Klaus Coolen, OSC, former parish priest Leopoldau said.

Food lovers also had the chance to sample the unique flavors of Filipino cuisine at Filipino Oktoberfest. Adding to the fun were the various activities and cultural presentations that included dance and musical performances and the search for Miss/Mrs. Octoberfest 2022. In the end, Ms. Granni Villajin garnered the crown.

We are here to learn about Filipino culture, get some spicy food, and enjoy the company of the Filipinos here, “an Austrian visitor said.

“The Filipino population continues to grow in Austria, and this event is an opportunity to make them visible in Austrian society. The friendly, fun-loving Filipinos are everywhere,” another Austrian visitor commented.

“Even if you’re not in the Philippines, you still have to feel at home. Although this is our home, Austria now, you can never take the heart of the Filipinos out from the Philippines,” one Pinoy guest said.

A Holy Mass had been celebrated by Fr. Ely Dalanon, Chaplain of the Filipino Catholic Community, before the actual Oktoberfest started.

While Oktoberfest, or simply drinking beer, is not originally from the Philippines, it is evident that Filipinos are fond of having get-togethers, and beer is something sure to be present.

The Oktoberfest has been held since 1810 in Bavaria, a celebration that’s become an important part of that culture despite—or perhaps because of—the massive number of people with hangovers post-festival. It’s the world’s largest fair on German soil, held annually in Munich for 16 days, traditionally from late September to the first weekend of October, with an average of six million people in attendance. No doubt, it keeps the German beer industry working hard year-round.

Hector Pascua, ABS-CBN News, Austria