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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
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Doing business abroad is not easy, but neither is it impossible: Filipino entrepreneur Dennis Lunar
Basel, Switzerland Mye Mulingtapang You have finally made up your mind, you want to leave, and move abroad to seek your fortune. So what...

Mye Mulingtapang
Apr 17, 20224 min read


Euro-Pinoys get “Best Magazine” at 2022 MAM Awards
Marthy Angue Philippines with photos courtesy of CFO and Betsy von Atzigen, Switzerland 16 March 2022, Manila Hotel, Philippines. Roots...

Marthy Angue
Apr 17, 20222 min read


Evelyn Steiner, tireless networker for the country and her people
Reprinted with permission from Martin Heini, KATHY Head of Church Music, Projects & Communication - Parish of St. Katharina Horw in...

Betsy von Atzigen
Apr 16, 20223 min read


Toulouse, The Pink City and its many exciting colors
Jeffrey Cabuay, France People call it the Pink City or “La Ville Rose” in French. It is the only place in France given such a very...

Jeffrey Cabuay
Apr 14, 20223 min read


Wealth is in Food
Maris Gavino, OFSPES Italy The cliché’ Health is Wealth has to be taken seriously. And the SIKHAY (Sigla, Kabuhayan, at Buhay), Group...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Apr 11, 20222 min read


The Philippines Wins 2nd Most Impressive Exhibition at Holiday World 2022
Rebecca Urbancik Garcia, Prague I had the pleasure of attending the International Tourism Trade Fair, Holiday World & Region World 2022...

Rebecca Urbančík Garcia
Apr 11, 20223 min read


Sharing Filipino Culture Through Dance: Don’t stop at learning the steps!
Daniel Ceeline Ramonal, Serbia With 7,641 islands, diversity in the Philippines is like no other. It boasts of more than 170...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Apr 10, 20223 min read


My Siquijor
Text by Grace Sumalpong Images by Grace Sumalpong & Kathlyn Torres My family traces our roots to the little island of Siquijor in...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Apr 9, 20224 min read


Anilao, My Favorite Playground
Photos by Editha Apacible, Batangas I’ve always loved the sea. My father lived in Lian, Batangas and brought us to the beach almost every...

Editha Apacible
Apr 7, 20222 min read


Lolo&Lola: Vienna’s go-to spot for a modern take on Filipino cuisine
Esther-Marie Tidoso, Vienna Copyright for all pictures: Wynn Florante Born and raised in the Philippines, Earl Valencia already knew at a...

Ralph Chan
Apr 5, 20224 min read
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