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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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Filipina racer joins McLaren driver scheme
Bianca Bustamante has become the first female driver to enrol in McLaren F1’s Driver Development program Text by Siobhan Doyle, United...

Siobhan Doyle
Oct 20, 20232 min read


Jhett Tolentino: Life is what you make it
Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., former Philippine Ambassador to Italy Jhett Dizon Tolentino, Filipino winner of three Tony awards and one Grammy...

Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.,
Jan 31, 20223 min read


Filipina serial entrepreneur brings Filipino food to the Swedish table
Text & photos by Katrina Larida Meet Lorielle Phillips (former Lorielle Fajardo Barlis), a Personal Chef, serial entrepreneur and...

Ma. Katrina Larida
Jan 25, 20224 min read


Euro-Filipino Rockstar Footballers
Words & photos by Cedelf Tupas England-based goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, whose mother hails from Tarlac Philippine province with a huge...

Cedelf Tupas
Aug 18, 20213 min read


First Filipina Elected Councillor of Stevenage, Hertfordshire UK
Text & Photos by Myla Arceno United Kingdom Roots & Wings congratulates frequent guest writer NHS Physiotherapist Myla Arceno, MCSP for...

Myla Arceno
Aug 15, 20212 min read


Recommended Reads from RAW: Modern Filipino Writing in English
Text by: Lily C. Fen Modern Filipino Writing in English As we celebrate Philippine Independence Day this June, RAW shares with you...

Lily C. Fen
Aug 15, 20212 min read


Identity formation through culture and arts
Text by Ralph Chan Illustration by dailyiteration.co Navigation between two worlds Am I an Austrian or a Filipino, European or Asian? I...

Ralph Chan
Aug 8, 20214 min read


My Mother's Story: Faustina Verdillio, Pioneering Filipina Nurse in Austria
Words & Photo by Cynthia Kurleto It was the early 70’s when my mother Faustina Verdillio, born and raised a Filipina, landed in Vienna,...

Cynthia Kurleto
Aug 8, 20213 min read


When worlds mix - A rich kaleidoscope of thoughts and feelings
2nd Gen Filipino siblings on their mixed Filipino-European heritage and upbringing For this issue of the “Roots and Wings” online...

Tania Viarnaud
Jun 1, 20216 min read


Vincent Bueno: Eurovision Song Contestant
A singer, a Filipino representing Austria with his song ‘Amen’ for the first time at the international song competition Eurovision

Ralph Chan
Apr 15, 20214 min read
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