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Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Print Journalism Award Best Magazine 2021 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards
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
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Santa’s Real Home
The heart of Christmas beats in Finland Forget the arguments about the North Pole—Finland doesn’t need to guess. Here, they know where Santa lives. He’s a true Arctic local, known as Joulupukki, and his home is buried deep in the snowy wilderness of Lapland, where pine forests glow with frost and reindeer tracks crisscross the endless white. The Secret Mountain Every Finnish child grows up knowing the legend: Santa’s real home is hidden in Korvatunturi, a faraway mountain who
Anne Tafalla
Dec 29, 20253 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
Holiday Warmth in Wales
The deep meaning behind Welsh Christmas When I first arrived in North Wales in 2001, I had no idea how this laid-back, sheep-filled countryside celebrated Christmas. Growing up in the Philippines—especially in the barrio, and in a big family where money was always tight—we didn’t have the luxury of writing Christmas lists or expecting mountains of presents. With my father as a farmer and our priority simply getting food on the table, celebrations always came second. That was
Jonathan Pico
Dec 29, 20254 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
A Christmas Box Every Day
The Mullets bring joy across Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Philippines For millions of Filipinos working abroad, Christmas is a season of joy mingled with longing—a time when homesickness hums louder than carols. Yet in a quiet warehouse in Belfast, Manolito and Maria Luisa Mullet have turned that longing into love. Through MGM Cargo Limited, they make sure Christmas reaches Filipino homes across the Philippines—one balikbayan box at a time. Inside their warehouse, the s
Hilda Arenas
Dec 18, 20254 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
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
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