Filipino European Authors Launch Books and Hold Book Readings across European Countries

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The accomplished Filipino European authors of the compelling books, 'Common Diversities' and 'Common Diversities 2 Filipino Europeans Remaking the Past, Reshaping the Future' have unequivocally and excellently risen to the challenge in sparking critical thinking in the minds of their readers.

RALPH CHAN is a qualified sociologist from the University of Vienna. Through his research and personal interest, he focuses on the topic of " The Philippines / Filipinos and the Filipino community in Austria". This stemmed from his search for his own identity and his desire to understand his life story.

STEPHANIE HEID is half-Filipino, half-Swiss. Alongside her work in human resources, she is particularly interested in engaging with other second-generation Filipinos in German-speaking countries. As part of her personal journey of self-discovery, she came across the "Halo Halo" network. Since then, community work and the promotion of exchange and networking within "Halo Halo" have been particularly close to her heart.

ARLENE CASTANEDA is the editor and author of the publications “Common Diversities – Young Filipin@s in German-speaking Countries” and “Filipino Europeans – Remaking the Past, Shaping the Future” (the “Common Diversities” project). She is the founder and director of the association Sentro – Centre for Austrian and Filipino Culture and Languages.

LENNY KAYE BUGAYONG is a linguist with roots in Zurich. Since co-founding the group Noi-P.ch in 2010, her focus has been on the issue of anti-discrimination from the perspective of the Filipino community. Through her work at studiyo filipino, she hopes to strengthen the community’s presence in Swiss society through language, culture and research.

There were book presentation, reading, and workshops held by the authors on 9 May 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. The authors and organisers received great support from many readers from different backgrounds and across different ages at their book-presentation event in collaboration with studiyo filipino and Halo-Halo network.

There were two workshops which provided an in-depth understanding of the contexts of the books. 

Workshop 1: 'Identity and Diaspora Experiences' -

"In this workshop, we will engage in an open and voluntary group discussion within a safe space on the topic of identity and diaspora experiences in Switzerland. The first part will consist of a round of introductions and an introduction to the topic, whilst in the second part, participants will have the opportunity to talk and discuss key questions together. The workshop will be led by Stephanie Heid and Ralph Chan."

Workshop 2: Inner Landscapes of Home and Belonging' - 

"In this workshop, we turn our attention to our inner landscapes and explore, on a physical, emotional and mental level, how being at home and a sense of belonging can feel and manifest within us. Taking a resource-oriented approach, we focus on what sustains us, strengthens us, and is alive within us. Through perceptual and creative exercises, space is created to perceive and express our own experiences. A voluntary exchange within the group opens up opportunities for resonance and new perspectives. The workshop is led by Marlisa Strauss."

The successful book launch and presentation was in October 2025 - Common Diversities 2 at the Frankfurter Book Fair with Halo-Halo network in Frankfurt, Germany. According to the authors, "The Philippines was the guest of honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair. Our main goal was to be there with our new book, Common Diversities 2 Filipino Europeans Remaking the Past, Shaping the Future, and we made it in time! Many thanks to everyone involved for their contribution. We would like to share a few impressions. First of all: this fair was impressive—we were overwhelmed by the diversity of the offerings and the number of visitors.

It is an unforgettable sight to find our two (!) books displayed on the shelves of the Philippine Salon. Proud to be part of this large selection, we enjoyed seeing so many books from the Philippines and talking to some of the authors. Of course, it was a great pleasure to personally present H.E. Ambassador Irene Susan Natividad with a copy of our Common Diversities 2.

But we weren’t just guests; we also took the opportunity to present our book outside the fair and celebrate our milestone together with friends:

On Friday, October 17, 2025, we held a special book reading at the Bockenheim University Campus entitled “Philippines – Migration, Diaspora, Exile Search for Identity.” The focus was on three current publications that highlight Philippine realities in very different ways: Our Common Diversities 2 (regiospectra Verlag), Von Marcos zu Marcos (Promedia Verlag) by Jörg Schwieger and Rainer Werning, as well as Der singende Gefangene und die Bibliothekarin mit nur einem Buch (regiospectra Verlag) by Michael Beltran. Many thanks to Jörg for organizing the event.

On Saturday, we simply celebrated. At the Office for Multicultural Affairs, whose premises we were allowed to use, we reviewed the creation of Common Diversities 2 Filipino Europeans Remaking the Past, Shaping the Future with the authors and Halo-Halo network and guests. It was an evening full of joy and emotion. Many thanks to Jenny Reith and her team for their great support."

Arlene Castañeda wrote: " Filipino Europeans Remaking the Past, Shaping the Future After the groundbreaking first volume, Common Diversities: Junge Filipin@s im deutschsprachigen Raum, which gave Filipinos in German-speaking regions the space to speak their truths — about identity, migration, family, and belonging — we continue the journey.

It was one of the first times their stories were told on their own terms, in their own voices.

Now, with Common Diversities 2, the conversation expands. This second book brings together a wider chorus of Filipino European voices — artists, thinkers, activists, and everyday storytellers — who are courageously remaking the past and shaping the future. Through personal reflections, essays, and creative works, they challenge invisibility, reclaim identity, and celebrate the richness of our shared experiences.

These two volumes are pioneering. They are among the first of their kind to center Filipino European perspectives with such depth and diversity. They speak of migration, memory, belonging, and the beauty of living between cultures.

We warmly invite you to read the book. Let it move you. Let it challenge you. Let it connect you to a vibrant, growing community of voices that continue to evolve and inspire.

Whether you are part of the diaspora, a curious reader, or someone passionate about diversity and inclusion — this book is for you."

There was another book presentation and talk by Arlene Cataneda and Ralph Chan on 'The Quiet truth of Identity' at the University of Vienna, Austria on 1 June this year in the University of Vienna. Sentro ng Kultura at Wika ng Austria at Pilipinas documented, "The Quiet Truth of ldentity explores how identity is shaped and reshaped over time. It considers whe- ther identity is inherited or created, whether it can be fixed or is always in motion, and whether we are defined more by the voices we carry or the choices we make. Drawing on reflections and readings from Common Diversities: Junge Filipin@s im deutsch- sprachigen Raum and Common Diversities 2: Filipino Europeans Remaking the Past, Shaping the Future- two pioneer publications that amplify Filipino Euro- pean voices this presentation examines identity as a dialogue between heritage and agency."

In January 2026, they held a book presentation at Diversoviel in Vienna, Austria.

In March 2026, there was a book presentation at the Austrian 3rd Anti-Racism Fair in Vienna, Austria. There was also another book presentation in the same month, with Halo-Halo network, in Saarbrücken, Germany. 

In April 2026, a book presentation with philippinenbüro and Halo-Halo network was held in Cologne, Germany.

What a very successful and soul-fulfilling trail of book launch and presentations by the authors across the European countries. They are deeply thankful for the support of their readers. The books are available for purchase on Amazon. Any collaborations to promote their books are highly appreciated and will play an important part in spreading the beautiful stories and real-life narratives of real people who navigate the search for identity, remaking the past, and shaping the future - while living in the diversities of true and meaningful existence. The books are truly written with heart, passion, and authenticity.