Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Philippine Embassy in Vienna and League of Filipinos in Austria Event at Marriott Hotel Vienna

The Philippine Embassy in Vienna celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with an ecumenical prayer service held at 8:00 in the morning at the Rizal Reading Room of the Chancery on Friday, 25 February 2011. The celebration was attended by Filipino community and religious leaders in Vienna. The ecumenical prayer service was led by Rev. Fr. Mars Sahulga, Pastor Larry Manuel and Mr. Lalu Muhamad Iqbal representing the Catholic Church, Christian community and the Muslim community, respectively.

After reading the message of H. E. President Benigno S. Aquino III, Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre said that the simple but meaningful celebration was aimed to rekindle the EDSA spirit of sharing, giving and caring.

“It was a bloodless revolution. Not one shot was fired, not one life was lost. I was there. I am a veteran of the People Power Revolution of 1986. The collective courage of the demonstrators was truly inspiring,” the Ambassador said.

Mentioning the theme of the 25^th EDSA Anniversary “Pilipino Ako, Ako Ang Lakas ng Pagbabago", Ambassador Yparraguirre proudly announced that the EDSA People Power has become a powerful inspiration to other countries who likewise dreamed of experiencing the true meaning of democracy.

Mr. Jed Cyrus Yparraguirre led the community singing of Bayan Ko and thereafter, he sang Magkaisa – two Filipino songs that became popular and set the trend for the music industry in the Philippines in 1986.

Earlier on 19 February 2011, Ambassador Yparraguirre addressed the Filipino community in Marriott Hotel Vienna.

Ambassador Yparraguirre challenged the Filipinos in Austria to imbibe in the hearts and minds of their children the meaning of People Power in the Philippines. She encouraged the Filipino community to teach their children to be proud of the legacy of EDSA 1986 as part of their children’s heritage. “Bequeath to them as their inheritance a lasting culture of confidence and pride in their Filipino heritage”, she said.

The above-mentioned two events were reported by ABS-CBN and TFC-Europe in their press and video coverage.

For two consecutive Sundays, Ambassador Yparraguirre addressed the Filipino Catholic community in Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel (Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) on 20 February 2011 at the 11:00 am Holy Mass and in Pfarre Johann Kapistran (Parish of St. John Kapistran) on 27 February 2011 at the 11:00 am Holy Mass. In her message, Ambassador Yparraguirre reiterated the significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986 in the pursuit of national unity and its relevance in President Benigno S. Aquino III’s platform on anti-corruption, sustained poverty reduction and economic modernization program.

Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Parish of St. Johann Kapistran