Travel

“Sea Major Project” Band: The Rhythmic Pulse of the Filipino-Austrian Diaspora

Music has always been the bedrock of Filipino culture, serving as a powerful medium of expression and a creative bridge for people from all walks of life. From the legendary ‘90s era of the Eraserheads and Rivermaya to modern icons, such as Lola Amour and Ben&Ben, The evolution of Original Pinoy Music (OPM) has solidified a vibrant band culture. Today, this influence has traveled across continents, inspiring the Filipino diaspora in Europe to craft their own unique musical id

Anton Miguel De Vera

2 days ago3 min read

TernoCon: Palaro Reimagines Filipino Heritage Through Play and Innovation

Filipino heritage took on a renewed sense of energy and possibility as SM Supermalls, Bench, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presented TernoCon: Palaro, the latest special edition of the country’s leading platform for modern Filipiniana. Held at the FIFA-certified MOA Sky Football Pitch, the event transformed a sporting venue into a dynamic runway — signaling a deliberate shift toward freshness, movement, and creative freedom. The show was a refreshing take o

Donna Patricia Manio

6 days ago2 min read

Baybayin: The Script That Refuses to Be Forgotten

Before the Spanish arrived. Before colonisation rewrote our history. Before we were taught to write in any alphabet other than our own — there was Baybayin. This issue, we are proud to feature two remarkable perspectives on this ancient yet enduring Filipino script. They come from two different voices, two different experiences, and two different parts of the world — and yet they arrive at the same powerful truth: Baybayin is not a relic. It is a living, breathing act of iden

Hilda Arenas

Apr 136 min read

Sweet Buns, Bursting Plates, and Ashes: How Lent Begins Differently in Iceland

Across much of the Christian world, Lent arrives quietly. The mood turns reflective. Ashes are pressed onto foreheads. Fasting begins. But in Iceland, the road to Lent is anything but subdued. Before the solemnity comes celebration — three spirited days filled with cream puffs, salted meat, singing children, and centuries-old customs that blend Nordic flair with Christian tradition. While many countries slide gently into the penitential season, Icelanders charge toward it

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson

Apr 133 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

When Light Finds Its Way

Christmas in Luxembourg and the Filipino spirit that refuses the cold Photo courtesy of Luxembourg City Tourist Office Luxembourg in winter feels like a painting — soft lights brushing centuries-old quarters, the crisp air humming with stillness, and Christmas markets glowing beneath a crown of northern stars. Yet amid the calm and cold, the Filipino community brings its own constellation into this small country: one made of song, generosity, and gatherings that warm the sea

Cipriano De Guzman Jr. – The Filipino Baritone®

Dec 29, 20253 min read

From the Nobel Prize to the Advent Star

A Christmas celebration in Sweden Adventstar: The shop window of Ljusexperten in Linköping, Sweden displays electric advent candles and stars of Bethlehem. (By Lars Aronsson/LA2 via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC SA 1.0) For me, there are four very important highlights in the Swedish Christmas celebration. It is something that I have adapted, loved and enjoyed since I arrived here in the early 80s. Lighting the Advent Star. The classic advent star has four stearin candl

Rachel Hansen

Dec 18, 20253 min read

Alive Beneath the Northern Lights

An Icelandic night to remember There are night skies—and then there are nights when the sky breathes. Here in Iceland, under this vast Arctic canvas I’ve come to know so well, the aurora borealis doesn’t just appear; it moves with intention. Even after years of living here, every single display still catches me off guard. The sky opens, and suddenly, I’m five years old again, staring up in disbelief. The phenomenon The northern lights might look like magic, but they’re born f

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson

Dec 18, 20253 min read