Culture 2/11

From Designer to Diplomat

My unlikely road to becoming a career diplomat, with Roots & Wings along the way Whenever someone finds out what I did before entering the foreign service (or whenever I tell my old branding or screenwriting clients why I can’t take on new projects any more), there tends to be a surprise in the inevitable reaction—namely, “How did that happen?”—that I find daunting to satisfy. The simple answer is that my mother-in-law saw an ad for the 2019 exams and thought I might be a goo

Marthy Angue

Jan 249 min read

Three Filipino Books Launch in the Czech Republic

An official press release from the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic 22 October 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Czech Republic, in partnership with Anglo-American University (AAU) in Prague ( https://tinyurl.com/3drn7eea ) and in cooperation with the National Book Development Board, organized the official launch of three books written by Filipino authors recently translated into the Czech language: The Uninvited Guests from Bikol (Nezvani hoste z Bikolu), written by

Roots and Wings

Jan 241 min read

Filipino-Germans Eager to Reconnect Heritage Via CFO's YouLeaD program

By the Commission for Filipinos Overseas (CFO) HANAU, Germany — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) received strong interest from Filipino-Germans in its Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) Program, which helps young Filipinos abroad reconnect with their heritage. At the “Ugnayan sa Germany 2025: Liwaliw” cultural forum, co-hosted by the CFO and the National Book Development Board (NBDB), many participants—especially Filipino mothers—asked about YouLeaD’s requirem

Roots and Wings

Jan 242 min read

Presidential Awardee Cuizon Pledges Support for CFO Cultural Programs

Press Release from Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Presidential awardee and Filipino community leader Virgilio “Ver” Cuizon has committed to support the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) by serving as a resource person for its Virtual Sentro Rizal–Educational Series. His pledge was made during a meeting with CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II and artists from his group, KUNST Filipino. Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Dante "Klink" Ang II recently met wi

Roots and Wings

Jan 241 min read

A Taste of Home

The first Philippine festival in Zürich draws thousands by Switzerland Association of Filipino Entrepreneurs The colors of the Philippines came alive in the heart of Switzerland this summer as the Filipino community gathered for the first-ever Philippine Festival Zürich, a three-day celebration of culture, food, and unity held from June 27 to 29, 2025. Timed with the Philippines’ 127th Independence Day, the festival was more than just a commemoration of freedom—it was a show

Community

Oct 15, 20252 min read

Dancing Through the Years

The EuroAsian Dance Group in Stockholm, Sweden celebrates its 30-year anniversary The iconic EuroAsian Dance Group, founded in Stockholm, Sweden by Ditas Magarin Enström, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a colorful and delightful variety show. The program featured a wide range of dances, a guitar duo concert by the Lakbai Duo—a guitarist couple from Manila—a buffet dinner with the newly appointed Philippine Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Patrick A. Chuasoto, as guest of honor

Rachel Hansen

Oct 14, 20252 min read

RECIPES for Keeps

Fostering cross-cultural understanding through culinary diplomacy by Sonia Zerrudo-Gostencnik, Austria The European Network of Filipino Diaspora Austria (ENFiD-Austria) virtually launched the first edition of its cookbook “RECIPES for Keeps” in December 2020, after enduring an almost year-long lockdown due to the pandemic. Conceived from the shelter of our homes, it was born out of longing—for warmth, for connection, for the flavours that carried our stories. What began as a

Community

Oct 14, 20254 min read

Rediscovering Identity in Vienna

Filipino pride comes to the fore in Austria by Harold & Marie Khan Barkada group at Barrio Fiesta by Harold & Marie Khan The Filipino community in Vienna was somewhat overlooked until a little more than 20 years ago, when their gatherings were often limited to karaoke nights, intimate family get-togethers, and quiet church services. These moments were warm, familiar, and comforting—a way of holding on to traditions and staying connected to home. Yet beneath the joy of shared

Community

Oct 14, 20256 min read