VIENNA, Austria - As part of their campaign to solicit help for the victims of typhoon Pepeng in the Cordillera Region, the Igorot Organization in Austria successfully staged a fabulous display of the richness of their cultural heritage through the celebration of the Grand Cañao in Vienna.

”I am very much honored to lead the Igorots here in Vienna as we portray the Grand Cañao Festival. Further, my sincerest gratitude to everyone who shared their blessings in prayers, cash and in kind to the victims of typhoon Pepeng,“ Igorot Austria President Cristabel Bounggick said.

Austrian guests were so fascinated with the colorful presentation of different costumes, which originated from the six provinces in the Cordillera region. Six young Austrians with Igorot family backgrounds presented the native attires during the Fashion show part.

“It is always with great pleasure and deep interest among my fellow Igorots to promote our rich cultural heritage as we try to integrate ourselves into the Austrian culture. I am very much happy that our second-generation of Igorots here are proud to trace their roots and actively participate in all the activities of Igorot Austria,” Bounggick added.

Caridad Fiar-od, the Liaison Officer for the International Affairs in Mountain Province, and, at the same time, the guest speaker during the Grand Cañao, expressed her gratitude to the Igorots and the Filipino Community in Austria for the initiative and dedicated efforts to ensure the success of the Grand Cañao Festival.

Meanwhile, Bounggick assured that fund-raising programs for the relief and rehabilitation of the typhoon-devastated region will be the main priority of the organization.