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Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Print Journalism Award Best Magazine 2021 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards
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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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
José Rizal Heritage Award 2025 Honors Outstanding Laureates in Basel
Press Release from Jose Rizal Heritage Fund Switzerland, submitted by Donna Avellana Kuenzler From left to right: Sir Stephan U. Breu, KGOR (Co-President of JRHA); Hon. Donna May A. Künzler; Hon. Elena Kupreeva; Hon. Dr. Faith Verhaegen; Hon. Prof. Dr. Elmar Kuhn; Hon. Christian Schneider; Hon. Prof. François Antony; Hon. Omer Kobiljak; Lady Estrelleta Borda Ruppert, LCR (Co-President of JRHA) Basel, Switzerland — October 25, 2025. The José Rizal Heritage Award (JRHA) celeb
Donna Künzler
Jan 243 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
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
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
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
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
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