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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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Francis Rafal: a visionary and entrepreneur - Getting to know the CEO and co-founder of Totoy app
Interview by Ralph Chan Official documents such as doctors’ letters or letters from authorities are notoriously difficult to read. Even...

Ralph Chan
May 29, 20245 min read


Through the Eyes of Arlo Jake Lagmay
Words by Donna Künzler Images c/o Arlo Jake Lagmay Switzerland Arlo Jake Lagmay is a visual artist and architect based in Basel,...

Donna Künzler
May 29, 20245 min read


THRIVING ABROAD
Let this award-winning book guide you Words by Ieth Inolino-Idzerda Photos courtesy of The Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands If...

Ieth Inolino Idzerda
May 1, 20242 min read


Regine: A Global Filipina
Meet Regine Borja Guevarra, an ambassador, a leader, an advocate, an entrepreneur, a polyglot, and a fashion enthusiast. Name it and she...

Gloria Hernandez Grejalde
May 1, 20243 min read


Chona Bacaoco: Fashion, Resilience, and Endless Possibilities
Words by Mye Mulingtapang Photos by Ryan Arbilo Roots of Resilience From the initial chapters of her life, spent amidst the verdant...

Roots and Wings
May 1, 20244 min read


Operetta “An der Schwemm”
Words By Cipriano De Guzmán Jr., Filipino Baritone Photos courtesy of Laurent Sturm/ An der Schwemm Production The swimming pool was the...

Cipriano De Guzmán Jr.
Apr 16, 20242 min read


WOMEN ON THE LEAD
Words by Rhodaliza Steegmaier “The journey to achieving gender equality is perhaps still long. However, every step that each of us take...

Roots and Wings
Apr 16, 20249 min read


Art and Life
Filipino artist Rai Cruz shares his cabinets and curiosities, how his art and life melds into one another in harmony Words by Donna...

Donna Patricia Manio
Apr 4, 20243 min read


Filipinos Run the World’s Northernmost Sushi Restaurant
Nuga Sushi in Svalbard is part of a nationwide network of Filipino sushi chefs in Norway Words and Images by Jennifer Fergesen Some days...

Jennifer Fergesen
Apr 2, 20248 min read
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