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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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The Weihnachtsmarkt
Text and photos by Betsy von Atzigen, from Christmassy Swiss & Deutschland Europe popularised the festive winter celebration of people at...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Dec 29, 20222 min read


Demystifying CEAN A conversation with Christian Neuenschwander
Interview by Donna Künzler All images from Christian Neuenschwander Christian is half-Filipino and half-Swiss. He creates objects,...

Donna Künzler
Dec 21, 20224 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


Roots & Wings’ Social Entrepreneurship - A Year Since Its Launch
Words by Rebecca Torres, pic collage by Marizel Arambulo In celebration of the 12th anniversary of Roots & Wings from inception in 2009,...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Dec 10, 20221 min read


Feast of God the Father in Zürich
Filipinos in Europe are a close-knit community of religious believers, culturally, linguistically, and familiarly bound to come together...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Dec 6, 20221 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


Halamanan sa Barangay Center
Text by Anton Miguel De Vera Images by Anton Miguel De Vera & Bernie De Vera On a cool summer day, before closing the period of my summer...

Anton Miguel De Vera
Nov 26, 20223 min read


Ramon Tenoso bags CANNES WORLD FILM Best Director Documentary Short + 8 Awards
Veteran Filipino filmmakers, directors, actors, and actresses in recent years have been awarded and honoured at Cannes World Film...

Betsy von Atzigen
Nov 2, 20223 min read


Working as an IVF nurse and artist makes one more empathetic
By Lisa Ante Pangan Infertility has become less and less of a taboo in recent years. Nevertheless, for the affected couples, talking...

Ralph Chan
Oct 24, 20224 min read


Autumn in Finnmark
Text by Joseph Bantolo, Kirkenes, Norway Images by Joseph Bantolo and Wendy Hansen, from Hammerfest Start of autumn with rainbow over...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Oct 20, 20223 min read
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