top of page


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
Search


Holiday Warmth in Wales
The deep meaning behind Welsh Christmas When I first arrived in North Wales in 2001, I had no idea how this laid-back, sheep-filled countryside celebrated Christmas. Growing up in the Philippines—especially in the barrio, and in a big family where money was always tight—we didn’t have the luxury of writing Christmas lists or expecting mountains of presents. With my father as a farmer and our priority simply getting food on the table, celebrations always came second. That was

Jonathan Pico
Dec 29, 20254 min read


Para Sa Bayan. For my Motherland.
Reflections & images by Stella Sait, UK When does one become patriotic? During war? During disasters? Or when you are away from your home...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Jun 18, 20222 min read


ROOTS & WINGS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Invitation to engage in positive change with social impact
By Becky Torres, Marizel Arambulo In celebration of our 12th anniversary this year, Roots & Wings is formally launching a Social...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Feb 16, 20224 min read


Dreaming of a white Christmas
Rica & David Abbott, Champery Switzerland Christmas is our favourite time of year. Every Christmas is special. It’s the season of love...

Rica & David Abott
Dec 15, 20211 min read


Thirty-first year wedding anniversary during the pandemic
Text by Mae Cayir, Vienna My husband and I will arrive at our 31st wedding anniversary, vaccinated against COVID19, in our mid-life years...

Mae Cayir
Aug 27, 20212 min read


The New Breed of Excellence
How some Filipinos thrive and succeed on the south of Spain Text and images by Jeno Pineda, Marbella In 2017, Rhea Zamora arrived from...

Jeno Pineda
Aug 15, 20213 min read


My Mother's Story: Faustina Verdillio, Pioneering Filipina Nurse in Austria
Words & Photo by Cynthia Kurleto It was the early 70’s when my mother Faustina Verdillio, born and raised a Filipina, landed in Vienna,...

Cynthia Kurleto
Aug 8, 20213 min read


The Filipina, A Study in Contradiction
Echoes from the US, Philippine-based golden jubilarians after a most memorable class reunion in Vigan The Filipina is a study in...

Loree Cruz-Mante
Jun 12, 20213 min read


Hyphenated identities
With about five decades of Filipino migration history to Europe and over a century to the United States, today’s second and third...

Betsy von Atzigen
Jun 1, 20213 min read


When worlds mix - A rich kaleidoscope of thoughts and feelings
2nd Gen Filipino siblings on their mixed Filipino-European heritage and upbringing For this issue of the “Roots and Wings” online...

Tania Viarnaud
Jun 1, 20216 min read
bottom of page