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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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Filipino Religious Identity: The Garden Way of the Cross
Photos by: Nina Zamora and Jojo Gloria RW Editor in Chief Betsy von Atzigen in an e-conversation with Monsignor Claro ‘Matt’ Garcia, ...

Betsy von Atzigen
Aug 8, 20213 min read


Identity formation through culture and arts
Text by Ralph Chan Illustration by dailyiteration.co Navigation between two worlds Am I an Austrian or a Filipino, European or Asian? I...

Ralph Chan
Aug 8, 20214 min read


My Mother's Story: Faustina Verdillio, Pioneering Filipina Nurse in Austria
Words & Photo by Cynthia Kurleto It was the early 70’s when my mother Faustina Verdillio, born and raised a Filipina, landed in Vienna,...

Cynthia Kurleto
Aug 8, 20213 min read


Kuwentuhang Sabado
Text & Photos by: Lily C. Fen Zurich, Switzerland Kuwentuhang Sabado believes in Filipino language learning by instilling a strong sense...

Lily C. Fen
Aug 8, 20213 min read


What Makes a Good Filipino?
First published on What Magazine, March 2021, as an interview about "Filipinas: Islands Abridged," an interactive map of the...

Marthy Angue
Aug 1, 20214 min read


Coco Hills and Wide-Eyed Tarsiers
Traveling to extraordinary sites is the focal point of any bucket list. Has the Philippine island of Bohol made it to your list?...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Aug 1, 20212 min read


CoverArt: The Filipino thread of life
'Roots & Wings’ CoverArt is courtesy of Dennis & John Mitchell “JM” Valenciano father and son tandem on their perspective - ‘SINO AKO?’...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Jul 31, 20211 min read


The Filipina, A Study in Contradiction
Echoes from the US, Philippine-based golden jubilarians after a most memorable class reunion in Vigan The Filipina is a study in...

Loree Cruz-Mante
Jun 12, 20213 min read


A Showcase of Filipino Musicians in France and Spain
Bravo Filipino! Filipinos are born with natural talent in music. Almost all Filipinos love to sing whether in church, parties, gatherings...

Cipriano De Guzmán Jr.
Jun 12, 20215 min read


Taste of Confusion
Having lived in multicultural settings, speaking a variety of languages, with many years spent abroad than in our home country-- has any...

Jeno Pineda
Jun 1, 20213 min read
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