top of page


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
Search


PIT SEÑOR!
By Betsy von Atzigen in Switzerland, Luz Bergersen in Norway and Evelyn Alcarmen Mueschen in Germany Photo by Betsy von Atzigen, Zürich...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Jan 29, 20234 min read


Manila in Milan
Text and images by Jennifer Fergesen This Italian city is home to Europe’s most varied Filipino food scene. Yum plates its pancit palabok...

Jennifer Fergesen
Jan 25, 20235 min read


Raise the Curtains: The 35th Aliw Awards ushers the return of live performances in the Philippines
Text and photo by Zip De Guzmán Jr., Luxembourg Filipino Baritone Cipriano De Guzmán Jr. won Best Male Performance in a Concert and...

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®
Jan 22, 20234 min read


65 years of Philippine-Swiss Connections: An Enduring Relationship
Betsy von Atzigen with Chargè d’Affaires Josephine M. Reynante, Switzerland Photos by Philippine Embassy Berne The Philippines and...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Jan 20, 20234 min read


Re-imagining for the Filipino child and childhood: Museo Pambata reopens to the public
Text and images by Museo Pambata, Philippines Museo Pambata, the country’s first interactive children’s museum, is finally reopening its...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Jan 12, 20232 min read


Cansi in Berlin
Text by Jennifer Fergesen Photos by Pinoy and Jennifer Fergesen The Global Carinderia — Exploring the Filipino diaspora through the food...

Jennifer Fergesen
Jan 3, 20235 min read


The Weihnachtsmarkt
Text and photos by Betsy von Atzigen, from Christmassy Swiss & Deutschland Europe popularised the festive winter celebration of people at...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Dec 29, 20222 min read


Symbols of Hope: The 15th Belenismo sa Tarlac
Text and images by Isabel Cojuangco Suntay of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Philippines Belenismo sa Tarlac is a symbol of unity,...

Becky Torres
Dec 26, 20223 min read


Demystifying CEAN A conversation with Christian Neuenschwander
Interview by Donna Künzler All images from Christian Neuenschwander Christian is half-Filipino and half-Swiss. He creates objects,...

Donna Künzler
Dec 21, 20224 min read


Kurt Tijamo: “The Splendor of Christmas”
Kurt Tijamo Wunderkind Filipino American baritone and songwriter Kurt Tijamo distinguishes himself at home and abroad by the intense...

Betsy von Atzigen
Dec 19, 20223 min read
bottom of page