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A Taste of the Philippines in the Heart of Europe
Pinoys opens a new branch and bistro in Prague’s historic Wenceslas Square By Andy Peñafuerte III Pinoys Bistro features Filipino merienda favorites such as empanada, banana cue, and ube biko The Philippine diaspora in the Czech Republic is celebrating the opening of Pinoys’ new bistro, just steps away from the historic Václavské Náměstí or Wenceslas Square. What began as a modest brick-and-mortar store has now become a touchstone for the Filipino community in the Czech Repub

Community
15 hours ago4 min read


Berlin Boodle Fights and Mother-Daughter Bonds
How one Filipino restaurant is rewriting the immigrant story By Kermit Tesoro, Berlin “Where was I born in Manila?” Rosaline turns to her mother, Rosalinda, mid-interview; a simple, unassuming question. And yet, like so many family stories, it had never been asked aloud. It's funny how the most basic details of our lives wait for the most unexpected settings to emerge, in this case, over a late-lunch-early-dinner boodle fight, with bare hands reaching into mounds of freshly c

Community
Jan 124 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
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From the Nobel Prize to the Advent Star
A Christmas celebration in Sweden Adventstar: The shop window of Ljusexperten in Linköping, Sweden displays electric advent candles and stars of Bethlehem. (By Lars Aronsson/LA2 via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC SA 1.0) For me, there are four very important highlights in the Swedish Christmas celebration. It is something that I have adapted, loved and enjoyed since I arrived here in the early 80s. Lighting the Advent Star. The classic advent star has four stearin candl

Rachel Hansen
Dec 18, 20253 min read


A Christmas Box Every Day
The Mullets bring joy across Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Philippines For millions of Filipinos working abroad, Christmas is a season of joy mingled with longing—a time when homesickness hums louder than carols. Yet in a quiet warehouse in Belfast, Manolito and Maria Luisa Mullet have turned that longing into love. Through MGM Cargo Limited, they make sure Christmas reaches Filipino homes across the Philippines—one balikbayan box at a time. Inside their warehouse, the s

Hilda Arenas
Dec 18, 20254 min read


Alive Beneath the Northern Lights
An Icelandic night to remember There are night skies—and then there are nights when the sky breathes. Here in Iceland, under this vast Arctic canvas I’ve come to know so well, the aurora borealis doesn’t just appear; it moves with intention. Even after years of living here, every single display still catches me off guard. The sky opens, and suddenly, I’m five years old again, staring up in disbelief. The phenomenon The northern lights might look like magic, but they’re born f

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson
Dec 18, 20253 min read


Her Excellency: A Legacy of Strength and Diplomacy
Ambassador Irene Susan Barreiro Natividad on leadership, legacy, and the Filipino spirit in Germany We have crossed paths on many occasions, and anyone who has met her would instantly recognize the radiant smile of this charming lady, gracious, warm, and effortlessly welcoming to all. In the quiet strength of her voice and the clarity of her purpose, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Irene Susan Barreiro Natividad embodies a legacy that extends far beyond diplomacy. As the six

Maria Renker
Dec 16, 20254 min read


Philippine Books to Take World Stage at 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair
by Commission on Filipinos Overseas The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s leading publishing event. (Photo by Lawija via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-4.0) Filipino literature is about to make its grandest entrance yet on the global stage. The Philippines is set to become the Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest and most influential publishing event in the world. In an episode of The Chairman’s Report aired on Friday, Commission on Filipinos

Roots and Wings
Oct 15, 20254 min read


Department of Migrant Workers Reaches Out to OFWs in Finland Through Town Hall Meeting
by Anne Tafalla, Helsinki, Finland Filipinos in Finland had the chance to speak directly with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) during a town hall meeting held on September 14, 2025, at Vipusentie 19, Helsinki. The event was organized in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Finland. The town hall gave Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) a space to share their stories — from everyday struggles to bigger challenges — so the DMW can better understand thei

Roots and Wings
Oct 15, 20251 min read


Kawali Filipino-Asian Cuisine
Filipino Flavors in Helsinki by Anne Tafalla in Helsinki, Finland A new restaurant is adding Filipino flavor to the city´s food scene. Kawali Filipino-Asian Cuisine, owned and operated by Rems Moreno, has opened its doors in Kallio, serving both traditional Filipino dishes and fusion comfort food. The restaurant, located at Fleminginkatu 12, Helsinki, also offers delivery online through Wolt and Foodora, making its menu accessible across Helsinki. Among the highlights spotte

Roots and Wings
Oct 15, 20251 min read


BOOKlatin sa Oodi
Philippine Embassy holds book reading at Oodi Library by Anne Tafalla, Helsinki, Finland The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki, in partnership with Oodi Library, held a book reading session on 22 August 2025 as part of “BOOKlatin sa Oodi,” in celebration of Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month). Children listened to the Filipino story “Alamat ng Palay” (The Legend of Rice), read by Ambassador Domingo Nolasco and teacher Ricca Carsula from Espoo Multicultural Education Service.

Roots and Wings
Oct 15, 20251 min read


First Filipino Barrio Fiesta in Prague
A unique celebration of community and culture by Grace Bantol, Prague, Czech Republic Photo credits: Hanadee Marohomsar - Pilecek The city of Prague came alive as close to 3,000 people gathered for #FilipinskaFiesta2025, the first Filipino Barrio Fiesta of its kind in the Czech Republic. It was not just a celebration of food, games, and music—it was a vibrant showcase of unity, leadership, and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan. From morning until sunset, the venue pulsed with

Community
Oct 15, 20253 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
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