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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

Her Excellency: A Legacy of Strength and Diplomacy

Ambassador Irene Susan Barreiro Natividad on leadership, legacy, and the Filipino spirit in Germany We have crossed paths on many occasions, and anyone who has met her would instantly recognize the radiant smile of this charming lady, gracious, warm, and effortlessly welcoming to all. In the quiet strength of her voice and the clarity of her purpose, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Irene Susan Barreiro Natividad embodies a legacy that extends far beyond diplomacy. As the six

Maria Renker

Dec 16, 20254 min read

Philippine Books to Take World Stage at 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair

by Commission on Filipinos Overseas The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s leading publishing event. (Photo by Lawija via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-4.0) Filipino literature is about to make its grandest entrance yet on the global stage. The Philippines is set to become the Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest and most influential publishing event in the world. In an episode of The Chairman’s Report aired on Friday, Commission on Filipinos

Roots and Wings

Oct 15, 20254 min read

Department of Migrant Workers Reaches Out to OFWs in Finland Through Town Hall Meeting

by Anne Tafalla, Helsinki, Finland Filipinos in Finland had the chance to speak directly with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) during a town hall meeting held on September 14, 2025, at Vipusentie 19, Helsinki. The event was organized in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Finland. The town hall gave Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) a space to share their stories — from everyday struggles to bigger challenges — so the DMW can better understand thei

Roots and Wings

Oct 15, 20251 min read

Kawali Filipino-Asian Cuisine

Filipino Flavors in Helsinki by Anne Tafalla in Helsinki, Finland A new restaurant is adding Filipino flavor to the city´s food scene. Kawali Filipino-Asian Cuisine, owned and operated by Rems Moreno, has opened its doors in Kallio, serving both traditional Filipino dishes and fusion comfort food. The restaurant, located at Fleminginkatu 12, Helsinki, also offers delivery online through Wolt and Foodora, making its menu accessible across Helsinki. Among the highlights spotte

Roots and Wings

Oct 15, 20251 min read

BOOKlatin sa Oodi

Philippine Embassy holds book reading at Oodi Library by Anne Tafalla, Helsinki, Finland The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki, in partnership with Oodi Library, held a book reading session on 22 August 2025 as part of “BOOKlatin sa Oodi,” in celebration of Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month). Children listened to the Filipino story “Alamat ng Palay” (The Legend of Rice), read by Ambassador Domingo Nolasco and teacher Ricca Carsula from Espoo Multicultural Education Service.

Roots and Wings

Oct 15, 20251 min read

First Filipino Barrio Fiesta in Prague

A unique celebration of community and culture by Grace Bantol, Prague, Czech Republic Photo credits: Hanadee Marohomsar - Pilecek The city of Prague came alive as close to 3,000 people gathered for #FilipinskaFiesta2025, the first Filipino Barrio Fiesta of its kind in the Czech Republic. It was not just a celebration of food, games, and music—it was a vibrant showcase of unity, leadership, and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan. From morning until sunset, the venue pulsed with

Community

Oct 15, 20253 min read

A Taste of Home

The first Philippine festival in Zürich draws thousands by Switzerland Association of Filipino Entrepreneurs The colors of the Philippines came alive in the heart of Switzerland this summer as the Filipino community gathered for the first-ever Philippine Festival Zürich, a three-day celebration of culture, food, and unity held from June 27 to 29, 2025. Timed with the Philippines’ 127th Independence Day, the festival was more than just a commemoration of freedom—it was a show

Community

Oct 15, 20252 min read

Grace in the North

An au pair’s journey to a new beginning in Iceland From the warm shores of Lapu-Lapu City in the Philippines to the icy landscapes of Iceland, Deniel Rentina “Ina” Pangilinan’s journey is more than a change of scenery—it’s a story of faith, courage, and the beauty of embracing the unknown. From dreams to detours If you had met Ina before Iceland, you might have seen her serving in her local church, reading a book in a café, or volunteering for community outreach programs. The

Mildred Manuel-Vidarsson

Oct 14, 20254 min read

Dancing Through the Years

The EuroAsian Dance Group in Stockholm, Sweden celebrates its 30-year anniversary The iconic EuroAsian Dance Group, founded in Stockholm, Sweden by Ditas Magarin Enström, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a colorful and delightful variety show. The program featured a wide range of dances, a guitar duo concert by the Lakbai Duo—a guitarist couple from Manila—a buffet dinner with the newly appointed Philippine Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Patrick A. Chuasoto, as guest of honor

Rachel Hansen

Oct 14, 20252 min read

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