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PACE: A New Vision for Cultural Exchange in Europe

Submitted by Maria Antonia Bosa Van Espen-Boonen, Belgium How a volunteer-driven organization is bringing Philippine arts and culture to the mainstream—one collaboration at a time. For Louise Baterna, preserving Philippine culture is not simply about remembering the past—it is about building bridges for the future. She believes Filipinos in Europe can share their heritage while becoming active participants in the communities they now call home. In a multicultural city li

Community

1 day ago8 min read

Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda’s Enduring Mission of Service

“Reflections on diplomacy, partnerships and his continuing commitment to Filipinos in Europe” As he approaches the final bend of his diplomatic career, Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda is far from thinking of retirement. His office at the Philippine-owned property in the heart of Brussels is in constant motion. His agenda is full, hopping from board meetings and official visits to community gatherings. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippin

Louise Baterna

5 days ago8 min read

Igorot Community UK Sports Festival 2026

The Igorot Community UK had its Sports Festival 2026 recently. It was a full-circle cultural immersion experience that brought a strong and established group of Filipinos in England who preserve their Igorot heritage with remarkable determination. The event was packed with sportsfest fun and the evening program ran with the Little Mr and Ms Igorot UK Sportsfest 2026 pageant. According to Mimi Mili, one of the creators of JhermiNATION and Filipino Market Events London who at

Feds Infante Murray

Aug 201 min read

The Filipino Spring Fair: "Kantahan, Kainan, Kultura"

London - On 23 May 2026, JhermiNATION Events, Filipino Market Events London, and Filipino Thrive UK marked the third year of the Filipino Spring Fair: " Kantahan, Kainan, Kultura" which celebrates Filipino culture, community, and entrepreneurship. The fair was held at St. John's Church in Nottinghill, London. The annual event is fuelled by the curators' passion and purpose to bring communities together, support local Filipino businesses, celebrate culture, and promote Filip

Feds Infante Murray

Aug 152 min read

Kalayaan 2026: Celebrating Filipino Roots, Strengthening Cultural and Family Bonds in Oslo

By Jubirose Grijaldo, Secretary of Kalayaan Norge On a beautiful sun-filled Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Filipino community in Norway came together in a remarkable celebration of heritage, family, and national pride during the 128th Philippine Independence Day Cultural and Family Day at Spikersuppa, Oslo. Organized by Kalayaan Norge Oslo, the event drew nearly 15,000 attendees, including Filipinos, Norwegians, and other nationalities. More than a commemoration of Philippine in

Community

Aug 23 min read

FILIPINO SANTACRUZAN FESTIVITIES

Filipino Santacruzan in Crumlin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland by Hilda Arenas A beautiful tradition, a vibrant community, and a celebration that continues to bring generations together. Established in 2010 by the Filipino Community Crumlin, the Annual Santacruzan has become a much-loved tradition celebrating faith, culture, heritage and community spirit through its colourful outdoor procession and gathering of Filipino families and friends. Sharing moments from this year’s cel

Roots and Wings

Aug 22 min read

Ten Foundations: Changing Lives in the Philippines

Ten Foundations is a non-profit organisation which gives hope and opportunity to struggling citizens in Balayan, Batangas, Philippines. It is a purpose-driven charity organisation founded by Ian Campbell in 2012 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Campbell aims to empower women living in extreme poverty in the Philippines by helping them break free from the relentless cycle of poverty - where limited access to education, stable income, and health care prevents famil

Feds Infante Murray

Jul 195 min read

CAMPUS MANILLA

DID YOU KNOW: STOCKHOLM HAS ITS OWN MANILA? Hidden on a royal island in the heart of Stockholm, a piece of the Philippines has survived for over two centuries. The Estate of Manilla In 1565, the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi led an expedition that established Spain’s rule over the Philippines. Manila became a key hub in global trade. More than two centuries later, on the other side of the world, the name of this would resurface in an unexpected place. In 1790,

Hanna Stenbacka Köhler

Jul 192 min read

Bahay Kubo Exotic Supermarket: Authentic Filipino Flavours for the Community

A Taste of Home: Bahay Kubo Exotic Supermarket Serves Authentic Filipino Flavours For anyone attempting to cook Filipino and Asian dishes, the search for the right ingredients can be a familiar frustration. In Vienna, that gap is now being filled by Bahay Kubo, an Asian supermarket that has become a reliable source of Filipino staples and specialty products. They don’t just sell products; they embody the spirit of bayanihan. Roots & Wings is happy to feature Bahay Kubo Exotic

Ralph Chan

Jul 195 min read

Philippine Food Festival in Brussels

“Cultural diplomacy served on a plate” If there is one easy and compelling way to promote the Philippines, it is through food. After all, we often say that the best way to a man’s—or woman’s—heart is through the stomach. Food is one of the borderless elements of culture. It transcends frontiers, often carried in the baggage of memory by those who have left the country. When exported, food also fascinates. With its blend of indigenous, Asian, and colonial influences, Filipino

Louise Baterna

Jul 194 min read

Women Migrants Come Together for International Women’s Day

Warsaw, Poland – A diverse group of women gathered at the Multicultural Center in Warsaw on March 8, 2026, to mark International Women's Day through a focused and community-driven event organized by the European Network of Filipino Diaspora - Poland (ENFiD-Poland) and the Humanitarian Organization of Pinoys in Europe (HOPE) Foundation. The event marked the first joint initiative of the two organizations for the year and brought together migrant women from the Philippines, Pol

Aieshah Balmori

Jul 194 min read

Between Worlds: The Quiet Force of Marvi Gil

In a life shaped by movement, language, and resilience, Marvi Gil has learned to exist between worlds and to build bridges where none existed before. Born Maria Victoria in Cebu, Philippines, her name was lovingly reimagined by her father into “Marvi,” a fusion that mirrors the layered identity she would later embrace. Today, she carries a name that feels as international as her journey: Filipino at heart, with an unexpected Icelandic twist - “Gil,” meaning gully in Iceland

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson

Jul 195 min read

"Beyond the Heidi Tale"

My Own Story of Reinvention, Belonging, and Becoming in Switzerland by George Londob I am George Londob, originally from Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, and now based in Zurich. I work as a Global Market Research Analyst for an international company in Lucerne. So how did I end up in Switzerland? In 2011, while living and working in Bangkok, I met my Swiss partner during what was meant to be a temporary exchange period for his master’s studies. What began as a chance encounter gradual

Community

Jul 184 min read

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