Feature 5/28

Stylish Cordilleralux Fashion and Events Hosts the First Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Limburg, Belgium

On 2 May 2026, the very first Philippine Independence Day celebration held in Limburg, Belgium, brought together hundreds of Filipinos and Belgians for a historical, stylish, momentous, and meaningful celebration that created memories for everyone to cherish for a lifetime. The opening 'salvo' was the Parade of Pride & Heritage which was a vibrant display of beauty, style, culture, heritage, faith, unity, and identity - setting a joyful tone to the fullcelebration that was wi

Feds Infante Murray

Aug 23 min read

The Philippine Independence Day Celebration Mass in London

London — The Celebration of Philippine Independence Day Mass was held on 7 June 2026 at the Our Lady of Victories Church in High Street Kensington, London. It was a special mass that was attended by many religious and non-religious organisations. The Ambassador of the Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom, H.E. Teodoro Lopez Locsin, Jr., was very delighted to attend the special mass. He stated, "The Independence Day Mass was a beautiful showcase of Filipino devotion." The

Feds Infante Murray

Aug 21 min read

Kalayaan 2026: Celebrating Filipino Roots, Strengthening Cultural and Family Bonds in Oslo

By Jubirose Grijaldo, Secretary of Kalayaan Norge On a beautiful sun-filled Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Filipino community in Norway came together in a remarkable celebration of heritage, family, and national pride during the 128th Philippine Independence Day Cultural and Family Day at Spikersuppa, Oslo. Organized by Kalayaan Norge Oslo, the event drew nearly 15,000 attendees, including Filipinos, Norwegians, and other nationalities. More than a commemoration of Philippine in

Community

Aug 23 min read

FILIPINO SANTACRUZAN FESTIVITIES

Filipino Santacruzan in Crumlin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland by Hilda Arenas A beautiful tradition, a vibrant community, and a celebration that continues to bring generations together. Established in 2010 by the Filipino Community Crumlin, the Annual Santacruzan has become a much-loved tradition celebrating faith, culture, heritage and community spirit through its colourful outdoor procession and gathering of Filipino families and friends. Sharing moments from this year’s cel

Roots and Wings

Aug 22 min read

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

Jan 204 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

Marie Veronica Expert: Where Art Meets Grace

A France-based artist takes inspiration from the Renaissance In the soft light of Mozambique in 1997, Marie met the woman who would forever change the way she saw the world. A retired Russian teacher, once a professor at the prestigious St. Petersburg Imperial Art Academy, became her mentor, guiding her into the sacred realm of painting. Under her quiet, watchful eye, Marie learned not just how to paint, but how to see. Their lessons were intimate and profound. Within those q

Dennis Mana-ay

Jan 122 min read

Arah Sales-Gaillard: From Makati Girl to Owner of the Majestic Hotel

A story of courage, faith, and never forgetting your roots By Dennis Manaay, Country Editor, France, and Margo Calderero Le-Lain “Trust in your dreams, have courage in your heart, and remember that your business address is wherever you choose to stand at any given time - Arah. Arlibeth 'Arah' Sales-Gaillard is a proud Filipina who proves that our kababayans can thrive anywhere in the world while keeping our values close to heart. The fourth of five children from a simple Maka

Dennis Mana-ay

Jan 213 min read

When the Archipelago Spoke

The Philippines as guest of honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 There are moments in a nation’s history when it steps beyond its borders and encounters itself anew through the eyes of the world. In October 2025, the Philippines experienced such a moment as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse—the world’s most influential book fair. For one luminous week, the archipelago stood at the centre of global imagination. The Philippine presence in Frankfurt was more than

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®

Jan 24 min read

Santa’s Real Home

The heart of Christmas beats in Finland Forget the arguments about the North Pole—Finland doesn’t need to guess. Here, they know where Santa lives. He’s a true Arctic local, known as Joulupukki, and his home is buried deep in the snowy wilderness of Lapland, where pine forests glow with frost and reindeer tracks crisscross the endless white. The Secret Mountain Every Finnish child grows up knowing the legend: Santa’s real home is hidden in Korvatunturi, a faraway mountain who

Anne Tafalla

Dec 29, 20253 min read

When Light Finds Its Way

Christmas in Luxembourg and the Filipino spirit that refuses the cold Photo courtesy of Luxembourg City Tourist Office Luxembourg in winter feels like a painting — soft lights brushing centuries-old quarters, the crisp air humming with stillness, and Christmas markets glowing beneath a crown of northern stars. Yet amid the calm and cold, the Filipino community brings its own constellation into this small country: one made of song, generosity, and gatherings that warm the sea

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®

Dec 29, 20253 min read

Holiday Warmth in Wales

The deep meaning behind Welsh Christmas When I first arrived in North Wales in 2001, I had no idea how this laid-back, sheep-filled countryside celebrated Christmas. Growing up in the Philippines—especially in the barrio, and in a big family where money was always tight—we didn’t have the luxury of writing Christmas lists or expecting mountains of presents. With my father as a farmer and our priority simply getting food on the table, celebrations always came second. That was

Jonathan Pico

Dec 29, 20254 min read

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