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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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Common Diversities. Junge Filipin@s im deutschsprachigen Raum
“Books are the testimonies of our time. As writers, we portray the realities in the stories and give them life through our words. They...

Ralph Chan
Jul 2, 20226 min read


Envisioning Vienna - CDA Mrs. Irene Susan B. Natividad
Anton Miguel de Vera, Austria Chargé D’ Affaires Irene Susan B. Natividad, Philippine Embassy Vienna On the 19th of May 2022, I had the...

Anton Miguel De Vera
Jun 30, 20224 min read


Consul General Tess Lazaro - Bringing a fresh perspective in Barcelona
By: Donna Avellana Künzler, Switzerland Tapas, Sangria, Gaudi, shopping, and the beach…these are the things I associate most with...

Donna Künzler
Jun 29, 20223 min read


Philippine Hon. Consul, Dr. Axel Neumahr celebrates 5th year of duty
Interview by Rebecca Urbancik Garcia, Germany Although a certified Attorney in Commercial and Corporate Law by profession, to many...

Rebecca Urbančík Garcia
Jun 28, 202210 min read


Thousands celebrate at the KFFN Philippine Independence Day Picnic in the Netherlands 2022
Text by Rhea Topacio-Rogacion Image courtesy of LHR Photography for Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation in the Netherlands After 3 years of...

Roots and Wings
Jun 18, 20222 min read
Rawmags celebrates 124th National Day
Betsy von Atzigen, Editor in Chief The 12th of June ushered the 124th Philippine Independence Day celebrations nationwide. But with over...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Jun 15, 20221 min read


124th Philippine Independence Celebrations in Norway
Images and text courtesy of the Philippine Embassy, Oslo At the GALA NIGHT, Saturday 4th June led by Philippine Ambassador to Norway...

Roots and Wings
Jun 13, 20223 min read


Euro-Pinoys get “Best Magazine” at 2022 MAM Awards
Marthy Angue Philippines with photos courtesy of CFO and Betsy von Atzigen, Switzerland 16 March 2022, Manila Hotel, Philippines. Roots...

Marthy Angue
Apr 17, 20222 min read


Evelyn Steiner, tireless networker for the country and her people
Reprinted with permission from Martin Heini, KATHY Head of Church Music, Projects & Communication - Parish of St. Katharina Horw in...

Betsy von Atzigen
Apr 16, 20223 min read


Joel Alba - Teacher, Educator, & Adventurer
Anton Miguel De Vera, Vienna When I first arrived in Vienna, Austria, back in August 2017 at the age of 16, I was looking for a high...

Anton Miguel De Vera
Apr 13, 20225 min read
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