Culture 2/12

PACE: A New Vision for Cultural Exchange in Europe

Submitted by Maria Antonia Bosa Van Espen-Boonen, Belgium How a volunteer-driven organization is bringing Philippine arts and culture to the mainstream—one collaboration at a time. For Louise Baterna, preserving Philippine culture is not simply about remembering the past—it is about building bridges for the future. She believes Filipinos in Europe can share their heritage while becoming active participants in the communities they now call home. In a multicultural city li

Community

1 day ago8 min read

Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda’s Enduring Mission of Service

“Reflections on diplomacy, partnerships and his continuing commitment to Filipinos in Europe” As he approaches the final bend of his diplomatic career, Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda is far from thinking of retirement. His office at the Philippine-owned property in the heart of Brussels is in constant motion. His agenda is full, hopping from board meetings and official visits to community gatherings. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippin

Louise Baterna

5 days ago8 min read

Igorot Community UK Sports Festival 2026

The Igorot Community UK had its Sports Festival 2026 recently. It was a full-circle cultural immersion experience that brought a strong and established group of Filipinos in England who preserve their Igorot heritage with remarkable determination. The event was packed with sportsfest fun and the evening program ran with the Little Mr and Ms Igorot UK Sportsfest 2026 pageant. According to Mimi Mili, one of the creators of JhermiNATION and Filipino Market Events London who at

Feds Infante Murray

Aug 201 min read

The Filipino Spring Fair: "Kantahan, Kainan, Kultura"

London - On 23 May 2026, JhermiNATION Events, Filipino Market Events London, and Filipino Thrive UK marked the third year of the Filipino Spring Fair: " Kantahan, Kainan, Kultura" which celebrates Filipino culture, community, and entrepreneurship. The fair was held at St. John's Church in Nottinghill, London. The annual event is fuelled by the curators' passion and purpose to bring communities together, support local Filipino businesses, celebrate culture, and promote Filip

Feds Infante Murray

Aug 152 min read

Sweet Buns, Bursting Plates, and Ashes: How Lent Begins Differently in Iceland

Across much of the Christian world, Lent arrives quietly. The mood turns reflective. Ashes are pressed onto foreheads. Fasting begins. But in Iceland, the road to Lent is anything but subdued. Before the solemnity comes celebration — three spirited days filled with cream puffs, salted meat, singing children, and centuries-old customs that blend Nordic flair with Christian tradition. While many countries slide gently into the penitential season, Icelanders charge toward it

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson

Apr 133 min read

Wherever We Are, The Holy Child Finds Us

FAITH & CULTURE · SPECIAL FEATURE Filipinos Across Europe Keep One of the World's Oldest Devotions Gloriously, Joyfully Alive In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan gifted a small wooden statue of the Holy Child Jesus — the Santo Niño — to Queen Juana of Cebu upon her baptism, marking the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines. When Miguel López de Legazpi rediscovered that same image in 1565, it became the founding miracle of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño — the oldest Christi

Hilda Arenas

Apr 1010 min read

Ladies of Rizal Switzerland: Promoting Rizalism for a Better World

by Michelle Ngo Salangsang Ladies of Rizal Switzerland stands as a living testament to the enduring relevance of Rizalism and the transformative power of Filipino women united by purpose. Founded in Lucerne, Switzerland, on November 26, 2025, it is the first Knights of Rizal affiliate in Switzerland, established with the capacity to act autonomously while remaining firmly guided by the values and ideals of Dr. José Rizal. More than an organization, it is a movement grounded i

Community

Mar 283 min read

Cipriano “Zip” De Guzmán Jr., the Filipino Baritone, Shines on the World Stage

An Opera Singer, Chorister and Music Educator Hailing from one of the oldest cities in Metro Manila, Pasig, Philippines, Cipriano “Zip” De Guzmán Jr. grew up with music in his soul. At age 16, he joined the church choir in Pasig. When he was studying Communication Arts in college, he mustered all his courage and worked with passion by joining The University of the East Chorale which gave him an opportunity to sit-in during the rehearsals of the famous Madrigal Singers. In 2

Feds Infante Murray

Mar 217 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

‘Once We Had a Dream’

When theatre becomes a voice for change By Lisa Ante Pangan, Austria Photos by Peter Seipel In autumn 2025, theatre director Daryl Jade P. Abaya toured with Vincent V. Arada, Daniel Kaen Camacho, Princess Ann Camacho, Michaela B. Canillo, Patricia Ann D. Ecalnir and William Guarino, fellows from the PREDA Youth Group across Germany, Italy and Austria. With their musical drama “Once We Had a Dream,” these young performers have been raising global awareness for years about the

Community

Jan 123 min read

The Filipino Diaspora in Northern Ireland

An introduction to some of the micro-communities that make up this vibrant community Over the last three decades, Filipino legal migrants from all walks of life have progressively and contentedly settled in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. A picturesque and beautiful country, Northern Ireland has a population of 1.93 million. Filipinos have emerged to become a significant part of the National Health Service work force, private hospitals, community and home care entities, hos

Feds Infante Murray

Jan 126 min read

When the Archipelago Spoke

The Philippines as guest of honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 There are moments in a nation’s history when it steps beyond its borders and encounters itself anew through the eyes of the world. In October 2025, the Philippines experienced such a moment as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse—the world’s most influential book fair. For one luminous week, the archipelago stood at the centre of global imagination. The Philippine presence in Frankfurt was more than

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®

Jan 24 min read

Santa’s Real Home

The heart of Christmas beats in Finland Forget the arguments about the North Pole—Finland doesn’t need to guess. Here, they know where Santa lives. He’s a true Arctic local, known as Joulupukki, and his home is buried deep in the snowy wilderness of Lapland, where pine forests glow with frost and reindeer tracks crisscross the endless white. The Secret Mountain Every Finnish child grows up knowing the legend: Santa’s real home is hidden in Korvatunturi, a faraway mountain who

Anne Tafalla

Dec 29, 20253 min read

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