People 2/13

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

Ladies of Rizal Switzerland: Promoting Rizalism for a Better World

by Michelle Ngo Salangsang Ladies of Rizal Switzerland stands as a living testament to the enduring relevance of Rizalism and the transformative power of Filipino women united by purpose. Founded in Lucerne, Switzerland, on November 26, 2025, it is the first Knights of Rizal affiliate in Switzerland, established with the capacity to act autonomously while remaining firmly guided by the values and ideals of Dr. José Rizal. More than an organization, it is a movement grounded i

Community

Mar 283 min read

JOANNÉ NUGAS

When a Voice Breaks the Surface - From The Little Mermaid to Max Martin’s World of Pop Image source: Nordisk Film bio Finding her voice She is the Swedish voice of Ariel in Disney’s 2023 live-action film The Little Mermaid ( Lilla Sjöjungfrun ). She is Juliet in the Swedish production of the Broadway musical & Juliet , featuring music from the iconic Swedish producer Max Martin. The show includes global hits such as Britney Spears’ “...Baby One More Time” and Katy Perry’s “

Hanna Stenbacka Köhler

Mar 284 min read

NAYUME RIISE TAKAHASHI

Commercial Pilot (Captain), and Le Cordon Bleu Grand Meny Chef "Be the best of whatever you do in life, and be kind to one another" It is not every day that one meets a lady who is both a Commercial Pilot (Captain), and a Grand Diplôme Chef from the College of Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Bleu Paris! Both are very demanding, expensive careers, requiring years of study, dedication and training. So, who would not be mesmerized when meeting Nayume -Filipina-Japanese, who is exactl

Luz Bergersen

Mar 233 min read

David Kaufman Stone

David Kaufman Stone is a contemporary artist of Filipino-Spanish descent whose work spans abstract painting, photography, mixed media, and sculpture. Educated at De La Salle University's College of Saint Benilde in Manila and a postgraduate of the University of Oxford, he brings a rare combination of academic rigour and creative freedom to everything he makes. Beyond the canvas, Kaufman is the founder of one of the Philippines' most respected architectural stone companies — a

Maria Renker

Mar 235 min read

Art, Heart, and Heritage: Margo Calderero-Le Lain's Grand Palais Triumph

A Filipina artist brings home and hope to the heart of Paris PARIS — During Art Capital 2025, the Grand Palais witnessed something extraordinary. From February 12 to 15, amid hundreds of international artists, one Filipina stood out — not just for her art, but for her heart. Margo Calderero-Le Lain had transformed one of France's most prestigious venues into more than an exhibition. On February 13, the event began in the afternoon with a special conference at the Philippine E

Dennis Mana-ay

Mar 213 min read

Cipriano “Zip” De Guzmán Jr., the Filipino Baritone, Shines on the World Stage

An Opera Singer, Chorister and Music Educator Hailing from one of the oldest cities in Metro Manila, Pasig, Philippines, Cipriano “Zip” De Guzmán Jr. grew up with music in his soul. At age 16, he joined the church choir in Pasig. When he was studying Communication Arts in college, he mustered all his courage and worked with passion by joining The University of the East Chorale which gave him an opportunity to sit-in during the rehearsals of the famous Madrigal Singers. In 2

Feds Infante Murray

Mar 217 min read

His Excellency Enrico T. Fos

Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary t o the Kingdom of Norway & Iceland "Honour, Competence & Commitment to Serve" Roots & Wings Magazine is honoured and proud to feature in this first quarter issue, the highly respected, admired, and awarded His Excellency ENRICO T FOS, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines, to the Kingdom of Norway, and the Republic of Iceland. Now in his fifth year in current post, Ambassador

Luz Bergersen

Mar 2112 min read

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

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