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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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Rawmags Social Entrepreneurship in person with Maia Magpantay
Text & images by Luz Bergersen It was a timely occasion for Rawmags Social Entrepreneurship Lead Becky Torres and Marizel Arambulo, both...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Mar 26, 20232 min read


Usapang utang na loob, paano nga ba ito mababayaran?
Ralph Chan, Austria If you're not currently reading, watching, or listening to Philippine showbiz entertainment news, I recommend doing...

Ralph Chan
Mar 24, 20234 min read


DINE FOR A CAUSE
By Becky Torres, Philippines The Roots & Wings Social Entrepreneurship Program is inviting Filipino restaurants in Europe, the...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Mar 20, 20231 min read


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


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


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


Feast of God the Father in Zürich
Filipinos in Europe are a close-knit community of religious believers, culturally, linguistically, and familiarly bound to come together...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Dec 6, 20221 min read


Halamanan sa Barangay Center
Text by Anton Miguel De Vera Images by Anton Miguel De Vera & Bernie De Vera On a cool summer day, before closing the period of my summer...

Anton Miguel De Vera
Nov 26, 20223 min read


100 Miracles of the Blessed Mother: Book Launch in the Philippines
Text by Myra Nograles, images by Vicky Araneta & Marizel Arambulo “Who is She that comes forth as the morning rising fair as the moon,...

Anton Miguel De Vera
Oct 22, 20225 min read


A Letter of Gratitude to Mr. Victor Cantal from Sr. Catherine Urgello of Laura Vicuña Center
To Mr. Victor Cantal c/o Ms. Becky Torres of the RW Social Entrepreneurship Team Greetings of peace! As a community of the Laura Vicũna...

Becky Torres
Oct 20, 20222 min read
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