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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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And the Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Is: JJ Pietsch!
Austrian Filipino singer wins the international pop competition Johannes Pietsch, also known as JJ, displays his Eurovision trophy....

Ralph Chan
Jun 5, 20253 min read


CLOI SUGANO - Music Educator and Performing Classical Musician
Interview by Luz Bergersen Cloi started her musical journey at the age of 6. Cloi's father had been enrolling her in piano classes, but...
Luz Bergersen
Sep 23, 20245 min read


Operetta “An der Schwemm”
Words By Cipriano De Guzmán Jr., Filipino Baritone Photos courtesy of Laurent Sturm/ An der Schwemm Production The swimming pool was the...

Cipriano De Guzmán Jr.
Apr 16, 20242 min read


OPERA for a Cause: Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi presented by Andorra Lírica for UNICEF
By Cipriano De Guzman Jr, Filipino Baritone It is the Christmas season, and music is being played everywhere in the cold winter air. Atop...

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®
Jan 27, 20242 min read


Ang Kabataan sa UAE - Young Filipino Voices Around The World
Text and images by contributors Edited by Anton Miguel De Vera It is without a doubt that the Filipino community has brought great...

Anton Miguel De Vera
May 30, 20234 min read


Filipina-British singer makes history in West End production of ‘Wicked’
Text by Siobhan Doyle and images by Dujonna Gift, Troy David Johnston and Alex Ballester, United Kingdom Nicola Espallardo, proud mixed...

Siobhan Doyle
Mar 20, 20233 min read


Raise the Curtains: The 35th Aliw Awards ushers the return of live performances in the Philippines
Text and photo by Zip De Guzmán Jr., Luxembourg Filipino Baritone Cipriano De Guzmán Jr. won Best Male Performance in a Concert and...

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®
Jan 22, 20234 min read


Kurt Tijamo: “The Splendor of Christmas”
Kurt Tijamo Wunderkind Filipino American baritone and songwriter Kurt Tijamo distinguishes himself at home and abroad by the intense...

Betsy von Atzigen
Dec 19, 20223 min read


PASKONG PINOY 2022: A CHORAL FESTIVAL
Text by Luz Therese Bergesen, Norway Photos by Marco Reyes Camas Christmas spirits were ushered in early in Oslo, with a first in the...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Dec 5, 20221 min read


Gabi ng Kundiman
Gloria Hernandez-Grejalde, Moscow “Gabi ng Kundiman” kicks off Kalayaan 2022 celebration at Philippine Embassy in Moscow. A night of...

Gloria Hernandez Grejalde
Jun 10, 20223 min read
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