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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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Becky Torres & Marizel Arambulo meet up with Rawmags founder & publisher Rachel Hansen
Text by Rebecca Torres Images by Marizel Arambulo From left: Roots & Wings Rachel Hansen, Becky Torres and Marizel Arambulo Where do you...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Aug 12, 20223 min read


Mindoro, the mine of gold, the unexplored paradise
Gloria Hernandez Grejalde Verdant hills, interminable rice fields, gushing waterfalls, long sandy beaches, winding rivers, rugged...

Gloria Hernandez Grejalde
Aug 9, 20223 min read


Toulouse, The Pink City and its many exciting colors
Jeffrey Cabuay, France People call it the Pink City or “La Ville Rose” in French. It is the only place in France given such a very...

Jeffrey Cabuay
Apr 14, 20223 min read


The Philippines Wins 2nd Most Impressive Exhibition at Holiday World 2022
Rebecca Urbancik Garcia, Prague I had the pleasure of attending the International Tourism Trade Fair, Holiday World & Region World 2022...

Rebecca Urbančík Garcia
Apr 11, 20223 min read


My Siquijor
Text by Grace Sumalpong Images by Grace Sumalpong & Kathlyn Torres My family traces our roots to the little island of Siquijor in...
Elizabeth von Atzigen
Apr 9, 20224 min read


Anilao, My Favorite Playground
Photos by Editha Apacible, Batangas I’ve always loved the sea. My father lived in Lian, Batangas and brought us to the beach almost every...

Editha Apacible
Apr 7, 20222 min read


Hello from HAMMERFEST, Norway– the world’s northernmost town!
First person narrative by Wendy Labrador-Hansen Welcome to my homeplace - HAMMERFEST, the world’s northernmost town! I am Wendy...

Roots and Wings Team
Mar 20, 20223 min read


The Carinderia in the Alaskan Countryside
By Jennifer Fergesen Momma Rav’s is located in a caboose-shaped trailer in the farm area outside of Palmer, Alaska. To get to Momma...

Roots and Wings Team
Mar 20, 20225 min read


AURORA BOREALIS - The Northern Lights
When a hobby became a passion By Joseph B. Bantolo, Norway I came to Kirkenes 20 years ago, late spring of April 2002 when the midnight...

Joseph B. Bantolo
Jan 23, 20225 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
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