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“Sea Major Project” Band: The Rhythmic Pulse of the Filipino-Austrian Diaspora
Music has always been the bedrock of Filipino culture, serving as a powerful medium of expression and a creative bridge for people from all walks of life. From the legendary ‘90s era of the Eraserheads and Rivermaya to modern icons, such as Lola Amour and Ben&Ben, The evolution of Original Pinoy Music (OPM) has solidified a vibrant band culture. Today, this influence has traveled across continents, inspiring the Filipino diaspora in Europe to craft their own unique musical id

Anton Miguel De Vera
2 days ago3 min read


TernoCon: Palaro Reimagines Filipino Heritage Through Play and Innovation
Filipino heritage took on a renewed sense of energy and possibility as SM Supermalls, Bench, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presented TernoCon: Palaro, the latest special edition of the country’s leading platform for modern Filipiniana. Held at the FIFA-certified MOA Sky Football Pitch, the event transformed a sporting venue into a dynamic runway — signaling a deliberate shift toward freshness, movement, and creative freedom. The show was a refreshing take o

Donna Patricia Manio
6 days ago2 min read


Baybayin: The Script That Refuses to Be Forgotten
Before the Spanish arrived. Before colonisation rewrote our history. Before we were taught to write in any alphabet other than our own — there was Baybayin. This issue, we are proud to feature two remarkable perspectives on this ancient yet enduring Filipino script. They come from two different voices, two different experiences, and two different parts of the world — and yet they arrive at the same powerful truth: Baybayin is not a relic. It is a living, breathing act of iden

Hilda Arenas
Apr 136 min read


Sweet Buns, Bursting Plates, and Ashes: How Lent Begins Differently in Iceland
Across much of the Christian world, Lent arrives quietly. The mood turns reflective. Ashes are pressed onto foreheads. Fasting begins. But in Iceland, the road to Lent is anything but subdued. Before the solemnity comes celebration — three spirited days filled with cream puffs, salted meat, singing children, and centuries-old customs that blend Nordic flair with Christian tradition. While many countries slide gently into the penitential season, Icelanders charge toward it

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson
Apr 133 min read
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Grace in the North
An au pair’s journey to a new beginning in Iceland From the warm shores of Lapu-Lapu City in the Philippines to the icy landscapes of Iceland, Deniel Rentina “Ina” Pangilinan’s journey is more than a change of scenery—it’s a story of faith, courage, and the beauty of embracing the unknown. From dreams to detours If you had met Ina before Iceland, you might have seen her serving in her local church, reading a book in a café, or volunteering for community outreach programs. The

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson
Oct 14, 20254 min read


Dancing Through the Years
The EuroAsian Dance Group in Stockholm, Sweden celebrates its 30-year anniversary The iconic EuroAsian Dance Group, founded in Stockholm, Sweden by Ditas Magarin Enström, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a colorful and delightful variety show. The program featured a wide range of dances, a guitar duo concert by the Lakbai Duo—a guitarist couple from Manila—a buffet dinner with the newly appointed Philippine Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Patrick A. Chuasoto, as guest of honor

Rachel Hansen
Oct 14, 20252 min read


RECIPES for Keeps
Fostering cross-cultural understanding through culinary diplomacy by Sonia Zerrudo-Gostencnik, Austria The European Network of Filipino Diaspora Austria (ENFiD-Austria) virtually launched the first edition of its cookbook “RECIPES for Keeps” in December 2020, after enduring an almost year-long lockdown due to the pandemic. Conceived from the shelter of our homes, it was born out of longing—for warmth, for connection, for the flavours that carried our stories. What began as a

Community
Oct 14, 20254 min read


Rediscovering Identity in Vienna
Filipino pride comes to the fore in Austria by Harold & Marie Khan Barkada group at Barrio Fiesta by Harold & Marie Khan The Filipino community in Vienna was somewhat overlooked until a little more than 20 years ago, when their gatherings were often limited to karaoke nights, intimate family get-togethers, and quiet church services. These moments were warm, familiar, and comforting—a way of holding on to traditions and staying connected to home. Yet beneath the joy of shared

Community
Oct 14, 20256 min read


Across Islands and Alps
My path in science and educational diplomacy by Dr. Jenny Lind Elmaco, Austria Dr. Jenny Lind Elmaco is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an alumna of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Erasmus Mundus. Her work has been recognised with the Global Exemplary Education Double Gold Award, the Global Exemplary Innovative Leadership Diamond Award from GlobalWIN (UK), and the Marie Curie Social Impact Award. She is a proud Mom to Gabrielle Sofia, now 13, who can proudly

Community
Oct 14, 20254 min read


A Royal Audience in the Arctic
Meet the 9-year-old Filipina who sang for Norway’s king, queen and crown prince Fiona Lucille Carubanga sings “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne at the Svalbard Treaty Jubilee August 14, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Fergesen) On a cool day in August, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway took a seat in the central square of Longyearbyen, Svalbard, to be treated to performances by the best talent the world’s northernmost town could muster. One of these local lights was a 9-year-old girl named

Jennifer Fergesen
Oct 14, 20254 min read


Common Ground Kolektiv
A creative movement for connection and culture by Grace O. Emmelot, Oslo, Norway In a world where stories shape identity and creativity fuels connection, Common Ground Kolektiv (CGK) emerges as a vibrant initiative led by Filipino artists and creatives in the diaspora. This collective is more than a group—it’s a movement that transforms ideas into powerful expressions of cultural preservation and collective empowerment. At its core, CGK is a space where diverse voices converg

Community
Oct 13, 20253 min read


Mervic Vicky Monocillo: Nurse, Performer, Mother, Dreamer, Achiever
From healing hands to standing ovations When you meet Mervic Vicky Monocillo, you are immediately struck by her gentle warmth—the kind of calm presence that could only be honed by years of nursing. But as she begins to talk about her other love with music—her eyes light up, and it becomes abundantly clear: this London-based Filipina is just as much at home onstage as she is on the hospital floor or community nursing. Born and raised in the scenic coastal town of Miagao, Iloil

Myla Arceno
Oct 13, 20253 min read


Unity in Diversity
Empowering the Filipino diaspora through dialogue and celebration by Aieshah Balmori, Halden, Norway The European Network of Filipino...

Community
Oct 8, 20254 min read


FEDERFIL Italy-Europe: ‘One Voice, One Action’
The Federation of Filipino Communities and Associations in Italy – Europe by Ariel Lachica, Rome, Italy FEDERFIL is a federation of...

Community
Oct 8, 20252 min read
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