Pinoy Success Stories

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

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

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

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

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

Mervic Vicky Monocillo: Nurse, Performer, Mother, Dreamer, Achiever

From healing hands to standing ovations When you meet Mervic Vicky Monocillo, you are immediately struck by her gentle warmth—the kind of calm presence that could only be honed by years of nursing. But as she begins to talk about her other love with music—her eyes light up, and it becomes abundantly clear: this London-based Filipina is just as much at home onstage as she is on the hospital floor or community nursing. Born and raised in the scenic coastal town of Miagao, Iloil