Roots & Wings June 2021

Filipino Magazine in Europe

June 2021 Volume 11 Issue 3

From the Editor

A

ssert, celebrate Filipinohood. The 123rd celebration of Philippine Independence on 12th June this year echoes Filipino journalist, author, and historian Carmen Guerrero Nakpil: “300 years in a convent, 50 years in Hollywood.” A shimmering history of mixed cultures, traditions, marriage, the arts, literature, and migration ensued. The question Sino Ako? jabs at the Filipino psyche. Some have grown wings propelled by the mestiza identity, others stunted, belonging neither here nor there. This 2-word question delves deeper than the colour of one’s skin, the language or dialect you speak, where you and I come from, raised, and educated, or what sort of identity there is on paper. This question is rooted in the core of one’s being.

Roots & Wings June issue has assembled the widest Reader Engagement so far from Vienna to New York, from Makati to Berlin, bringing sparks of unparalleled pride and bliss, quietly afflicted by an overstaying pandemic and abrasive threats.

No better time than now to assert and celebrate one’s Filipinohood.

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Editorial Team

Meet the Team

Betsy von Atzigen

Rachel Hansen

Marthy Angue

Ralph Chan

Rebecca Garcia Urbancik

BUREAU EDITOR, AUSTRIA

BUREAU EDITOR, CZECHIA/GERMANY & SOCMED

Anton Miguel D. De Vera

Lily C. Fen

SOCMED AUSTRIA

BUREAU EDITOR SWITZERLAND LITERARY EDITOR

Gloria Hernandez Grejalde

Aimee Alado -Blake

Donna Patricia Manio

Apiong Bagares

BUREAU EDITOR, UNITED KINGDOM

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

DESIGN

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, PHILIPPINES

Lyndy Bagares

Jennifer Fergesen

WEB EDITOR, NORWAY

BUREAU EDITOR, ICELAND

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BUREAU EDITOR, RUSSIA FOREIGN RELATIONS

Feedback Page

Would you like to join our Rawmags Team?

Do you have any feedback on the articles in this or previous issues? Would you like to write a letter to the Editor? Email it to rawmags.betsy@gmail.com and we will try to publish some.

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Rawmags.com or follow us on social media: Instagram @Rawmags Twitter @rawmags www.facebook.com/rawmags

rawmags.com Download more issues at

Roots&Wings Roots&Wings Filipino Magazine in Europe

Published by Rachel Publishing Co. Stockholm, Sweden / St Gallen, Switzerland 2009-2021

Editorial Team

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CLICK ON THE TITLE TO SKIP TO PAGE

Contents 8

1 Identity formation through culture and arts page 09

A Cebuano is PH First Defense Attaché in Russia page 26

2 American by birth, Euro-Filipino by choice

9 Filipino, alternative language course at Moscow State University page 30

page 8

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10

Taste of Confusion: What makes me Filipino page 13

Directory of PH Embassies in Europe page 32

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3 Refreshing the spirit through art

Poetry

page 15

page 34

4

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Gifted to Give: Five Hundred Years of Christianity page 16

Rawmags Readers contribute TOP PH Travel Destinations page 38

5 Vincent Bueno of Austria to Eurovision

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page 19

Jerusalem: A sense of wonder page 70

6 2021 Winter Universiade Switzerland page 22

7 UK Women’s Voice: A celebration of resiliency page 24

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Content

ABOUT THE COVER

Sino Ako?

About the Artist Roots & Wings’ CoverArt is courtesy of Dennis Castañeda Valenciano and John Mitchell “JM” Valenciano father and son tandem on their perspective - ‘SINO AKO?’ giving impetus to a thread of life - the Filipino identity, independence, and patriotism wherever he may be in Europe or in the world. Filipinos never give up nor lose faith despite a pandemic. Rather they unite as one, and ready to help each other in overcoming crisis upon crisis. The artists use coffee as medium in this CoverArt to portray a sensitively delicate, challenging, and forthright subject.

Cover

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PHILIPPINES

ARTIST PROFILE

Dennis C. Valenciano Dennis is a multi-awarded artist from Victorias Negros Occidental, Philippines and is a third generation Valenciano artist. His father was the celebrated water colour painter Romeliz Sr. and grandfather Benjamin Sr., sculptor of world famous Church of the Angry Christ (St. Joseph the Worker Parish) of the same city. He won at the first international online coffee painting contest organised by the International Watercolor Society (IWS), London Café Gallery & IWS British Isles and at a recent Art Show Philippines themed: The Filipino: Self Portrait.

dennisvalenciano_artstudio

PERSEVERANCE

Dennis C. Valenciano

coffee on Arches Paper

12X3ft

Artist Price

P75,000

John Mitchell “JM” Y. Valenciano JM is Dennis’ young artist son, 4th generation Valenciano artist. Like his artist lineage, JM thinks “art is where we express, communicate and tell certain truths about our lives.” His works depict the traditional and realistic, hinting at inspirations

by Borlongan and Sedat Girgin. From a recent art exhibition Art in the Park, his preferred art mediums are acrylic, oil, pen, and ink.

ddunstablee 6

Art

NICOLE

“Nicole“ has been recently awarded one of the top 8 winners in a Coffee painting competition held in Tehran, Iran sponsored by IWS Globe.

Art

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DREAMER 60x91cm Acrylic on Canvas

JM Valenciano

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Art

AUSTRIA

Identity formation through culture and arts Text by Ralph Chan Illustration by dailyiteration.co

A

m I an Austrian or a Filipino, European or Asian? I often asked myself this question at a young age -being part of the 2nd generation Euro-Filipino. Anyone growing up in the diaspora quickly learns to navigate between two worlds, recognising and under-

standing that he neither belongs 100% to any of the communities.

This is especially noticeable in situations when you don’t know or aren’t familiar with certain nuances. Others, for example, struggle to understand certain words that can only come with knowledge of the local culture. For Filipinos born and raised in Austria and who have limited knowledge of the Filipino culture, they might wonder what

Jologs or Jejemon means. On the other hand, Filipinos who migrate to Austria as adults would not necessarily know what a Krocha is.

Someone born and raised in the diaspora would eventually ask the question: Who am I? The search for an answer could last a lifetime.

In my case, I found the answer while growing up. I have come to the conclusion that I am a Filipino born in Austria. Many ask me:

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Why is that so? Why don’t you label yourself an Austrian? You were born in Austria. My answer is: There is no simple explanation for it! But what always mattered to me was the fact that I was fortunate enough to have learned Tagalog at a young age, which enabled me to converse with Filipinos in the Filipino language, but also to (better) understand Filipino culture. Obviously, this is a huge benefit because even though I was not born, raised nor have lived in the Philippines, I understand the ‘Filipinoness’ of my identity.

Identity formation is like a playing a puzzle In my previous RAW article “Ready for the next generation of Austro-Filipinos” I already addressed the issue of identity formation when I described this process as playing a puzzle. To see the full picture, you need to put these weirdly shaped, interlocking, mosaicked pieces together first. This is basically how identity is created. The interaction of the different parts shapes the personality and character of a person. Language plays an important role, along with cultural elements. Culture can be especially important when someone is trying to understand who he or she is – particularly for the young 2nd or 3rd generation Euro-Filipinos. For example, culture and art played a significant role for me. During my childhood, my parents regularly borrowed VHS tapes from the then popular TV series Home Along Da Riles.

In retrospect, this TV series was not only formative for many Filipinos in the Philippines, but also for me because the TV series paved the way for my fluency in Tagalog today, how I perceive Filipino society and how Filipino culture (norms and traditions) shaped my identity. What made the TV series 10

Culture

special to me were the various topics that were brought up, such as the great importance of family and the resilience of Filipinos. By watching it, I learned to appreciate Filipino traditions and norms, but I also learned how to speak Tagalog through this series.

Regular viewing encouraged me to imitate pronouncing the strange-sounding words. One should keep in mind that a person who grows up in the diaspora is raised at least bilingually. In my case, in addition to Tagalog, I also spoke German. The series was also formative because it showed a world I didn’t know. Growing up sheltered in a protected family, I didn’t really know the concept of being poor.

The TV series was an eye opener because even though you were born poor does not have to determine in any way how you lead your life and how you behave towards others. While people in Europe grapple with First World problems, which often revolve around the loss of individual freedom, the problems that many Filipinos face in the Philippines are more serious. Nevertheless, they keep a smile and do not complain.

The influence of Filipino TV series, films, and music The Filipino TV series and films (especially the classic obras of Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka, Marilou Diaz-Abaya or Peque Gallaga) influence my everyday life and mold my identity. The more I deal with them, the more I learn something about myself. Films do not just portray fictional stories, they tell things we may not always be aware of. They also serve as eye openers to social inequality and change. An example film is Dekada ‘70, which shows social tensions and potential for conflict in Filipino society at the time.

Music also plays a particularly important role in my life, especially OPM songs (Original Pilipino Music). Read the lyrics and try to understand what the message of the song could be, then also learn about Filipino society and culture.

[2] I am not alone with this opinion because if you look around in the digital world and watch reaction videos, you will find many non-Filipinos who enjoy performances or music videos by OPM legends like Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velaquez, Jaya , Zsa Zsa Padilla, as well as by younger musicians like Sarah Geronimo, Moira dela Torre, Morissette Amon or Ben & Ben. Not only OPM singers influence these days, but also P-Pop bands like SB19, BINI, BYGO, MNL48 or Alamat, who sing about Filipino customs and traditions or use different Filipino languages in ​​ their songs.

Concluding thoughts The bullet points and the list could be longer. What I would like to convey to the reader is that we should not underestimate the importance and effect of art and culture for identity formation. At the same time, this article is also an appeal that we should support Filipino productions, be it films, theatre plays, literature, or music, as this affects not only our daily lives but also our identity - such as the art project Batch 1 [3]. This is a documentary about the 1st generation Filipino nurses in Europe.

With this documentary, the group of young Euro-Filipino artists would like to create a space for our lolas, nanays and titas, in which they want to trace their root and exchange their experiences. With this film they want to illuminate their stories and also learn more about themselves in the eyes of others.

USA

American by birth, Euro-Filipino by choice Text and photos by Jennifer Fergesen

W

hen I left the United States in 2019, I planned to return as little as possible.

I'd just earned a creative writing degree and had a freelance hustle that let me work anywhere with a wifi connection. I was ready to shape my lifestyle to the identity that felt most true to me: peripatetic and placeless, as ambiguous in affiliation as I am in appearance.

I went to Europe that year to work on The Global Carinderia, a series of stories about the food of the Filipino diaspora. (Excerpts have appeared in this magazine.)

Schengen visa notwithstanding, I wanted to stay in Europe — not in one town, but somehow, simultaneously, in the whole patchwork continent. I wanted to belong equally to the Old City of Istanbul, the tidy castle towns of Germany, the near-arctic stretches of Scandinavia where the sun never sets in midsummer.

The Euro-Filipinos I met in these places were paragons to me.

Each had found a niche in some sheltered place, become fluent in languages as impenetrable as Icelandic or Hungarian, put on new mannerisms and habits as easily as

Jennifer Fergesen, here shown at the Nes Artist Residency in Iceland, is a Filipino American food journalist. ­—EHRLICH OCAMPO

new hats. But their Filipino identity was indelible. Some became cultural and culinary diplomats, like the expat couple behind Barako Káveház in Budapest, a coffee shop introducing locals to kapeng barako; or the Austria-born owner of Hotel am Brillantengrund in Vienna, a centre for the local creative community that happens to serve excellent vegan Filipino food.

The pandemic seemed to end my likelihood of joining this

cross-border community. In January 2020 the coronavirus was gathering momentum, looming like the ash cloud over the Taal volcano. Instead of returning to Europe as I had planned in March — I'd rented a cottage for spring in Alsace, one of my ancestral regions — I went back to my college town in California, got a job at a magazine and hunkered down.

But something unexpected happened then. Though I was about as

Culture

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Photo 2 faroes.jpg: The author, right, interviewing Filipino restaurant owner Rowena Bech in the Faroe Islands in 2019. — ­ PHOTO BY NOLAN WON

The author, left, interviewing Frezida Mangalino, the chef of Hotel am Brillantengrund and mother of

Luleyn Andres, co-owner of Barako Kávéház in

owner Marvin Mangalino, in Vienna in 2019. — ­ PHOTO BY BRUNO KOCH

Budapest, holding her homemade halo-halo.. — ­ PHOTO BY BRUNO KOCH

far from Europe as I could possibly be, I grew closer to the Euro-Filipino community. I stayed connected through long-distance phone calls, WhatsApp and Facebook messages, and the occasional paper postcard. Through this communication, I continued writing The Global Carinderia, focusing on Filipino business owners' response to the pandemic. The people I interviewed confirmed what I already knew. Euro-Filipinos, like Filipi12

Culture

nos everywhere, are resilient to the core. They know how to brace themselves against a storm and rebuild once it has passed, like a bayan after a typhoon.

They also confirmed what I'd earlier learned during my travels through Europe: There are few people more welcoming than Euro-Filipinos. Each time I arrived in a new country as a stranger, disheveled and disoriented, someone would welcome me into their

home. Despite all my disqualifications — I'm egregiously American, culturally muddled, mixed-race and monolingual — they welcomed me as a Euro-Filipino. And even now, here in California, equidistant from Europe and the Philippines, I feel like one.

I'm proud to be part of this community and a contributor to the best Euro-Filipino magazine out there. See you when the borders reopen.

SPAIN

Taste of Confusion: What makes me Filipino Text and Photos by Jeno Pineda

S

auerkraut, Schweinebraten and Siopao—what could possibly go wrong?

It was a typical Saturday afternoon when Elaine called our friends for a typical German lunch—Sauerkraut for starters, Schweinebraten for main course and Apfelstrudel for dessert. But nothing could be more atypical in this scenario as she was hosting a group of Filipinos living in Marbella, in the south of Spain.

For someone whose palate is programmed for the taste of vinegar, soy sauce and the occasional bagoong, this almost sounded like blasphemy. Seriously, where is the Adobo? The Sinigang?

The Caldereta? And of course, the queen of staple Filipino cuisine—the rice.

I couldn’t blame Elaine though for choosing such an exotic dish to serve.

Yes, she is from Cebu but she also lived in Munich for many years and was married to a German so her culinary prowess is now geared towards potatoes and meat instead of Pinakbet or Tinola. And it was not only Elaine whose taste buds have been modified. Our friend Amy has lived in Amsterdam and is married to a Dutch, Glo’s husband is also from Germany while Trisha has been living in Spain for twenty-five years and I have been on the Costa Del Sol since 2004.

Having lived in multicultural settings, speaking a variety of languages, with many years spent abroad than in our home country—has any of us changed? Who are we now? And what makes us Filipinos still?

“I’m proud to be a Filipina mom”, Elaine said with a smile. “Just like any Pinay mothers, I am very protective of my children and I would want to be an important part of their lives even when they had their own families.” Glo’s answer was similar: “I always teach my children Filipino values; to always say “thank you” and “please” even if it is to ask our househelp. Nothing is more important than to be kind and considerate of others.” I have seen and talked with Elaine and Glo’s children. They

Culture

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all looked breath-taking with their mixture of Asian and Caucasian features just like any other bi-racial kids but behind their physical attributes, I didn’t know that these children also shared the same Filipino values like me.

“What about you Amy?” I asked.

“I guess not forgetting where I come from makes me Filipino. I may enjoy the comfort of life now but I always make sure that I come home and share my blessings with others.”

“And you Trisha?”

“Well, my siblings still live with me so I guess that says a lot about my heritage.”

We all burst into laughter.

“And you, Jeno? What makes you Filipino?” Elaine asked.

I was caught off guard. Such a simple question but fully loaded that I didn’t even know where to start. I’ve been living away from the motherland for so long that I have adapted to different cultures like a chameleon. Yes, I am a Filipino but I am also Spanish.

I speak Filipino but I also dream and swear in two other languages. I love listening to Sharon Cuneta but I also adore Flamenco and I wear Barong Ta-

“This is what makes me Filipino... Siopao makes me Filipino.”

SIOPAO

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Culture

galog but I match it with high heels.

Have I lost my cultural identity?

Have I morphed into something else?

Am I not a Filipino anymore?

Just as I was about to share my confusing thoughts, Amy excused herself to go to the kitchen and came back with a big plastic bag.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Siopao”, she said. “I ordered it from a Filipina in our neighbourhood. They’re so good; you have to try them!”

I love Siopao. In fact, it was my mother’s favourite food when she had me in her womb. It was her pregnancy craving. Siopao also makes me melancholic. It brings back memories of my childhood in Mindoro when our family would eat at my father’s favourite restaurant in town after Sunday mass. Those precious moments when my mother was still alive and we were still complete; when we gathered at the table without any care about the world but just laughing, joking, and enjoying our time together over a bowl of Lomi and that delectable soft, white bun filled with chicken Asado.

“This is what makes me Filipino”, I said with the siopao in my hand. “Siopao makes me Filipino.”

JENO PINEDA is a Filipino-Spanish freelance journalist and copywriter based in Marbella, Spain. He holds a degree in Communication Arts major in Mass Communications from The Lyceum of The Philippines in Manila. His works have appeared in several publications in the Philippines and Spain including Sur in English Newspaper, Hot Magazine, and Love2Fly Iberia .com amongst others. He also holds a weekly talk show on his Instagram account: @marbellastyle

MANILA

Refreshing the spirit through art Garden Way of the Cross of St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Magallanes, Makati A conversation with Monsignor ‘Matt’ Garcia, SAMLP parish priest by Betsy von Atzigen Photos by Nina Zamora and Jojo Gloria

R

oots & Wings’ spring issue welcomed Readers’ top 15 Philippine destinations to promote a travel rebound.

Congratulations to the Garden Way of the Cross of St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes, Makati which made it to the top list.

Rawmags readers are curious about the beginnings of the Garden Way of the Cross.

How did the idea evolve? What role does the faith community play in its design and sustainability?

Monsi Matt: The Garden Way of the Cross was an inspired idea from the mind of Ildefonso Santos—National Artist for Architecture—who is also the pioneer in Philippine landscape architecture. He, being a longtime Magallanes Village resident and parishioner of St. Alphonsus, together with then parish priest Monsignor Ernesto Cruz conceived to transform the church’s rear driveway into a place of prayer…a garden of sculptures depicting the Way of the Cross. I.P. Santos’s artist-friends soon came on board, given free reign over their interpretation of each of the fourteen stations. Generous parishioners sponsored the artworks as well as the construction of the garden where the sculptures reside. Completed in 2002, it faced some challenges when a fire damaged

VII. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus by Ramon Orlina, contemporary glass sculptor

the church in 2004. In 2017, to celebrate the parish’s golden jubilee, there was a massive effort to rehabilitate the garden--now including a water feature—with emphasis on respecting and retaining the original design.

It is now sustained by periodic donations of plants, organic fertilizers made on-site and a lot of care by parish staff and volunteers.

Our June issue highlights what it means to be Filipino under the theme SINO AKO? What is Filipino religious identity from the context of an urban community like St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish (SAMLP)?

Who is the Filipino believer? How relevant is the Catholic faith today among the urban rich and struggling populace?

MM: The Filipinos have always put their Catholic faith as a primary source of strength and survival. In St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish, being comparatively a middleclass neighborhood, our faith is given a face, an identity, and purpose for each of us. The

Design

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IX. Jesus is nailed to the Cross by Francisco Verano, painter and sculptor

III. Jesus before the Sanhedrin by sculptor Ros Arcilla

parish provides the opportunity to practice, to act on the social teachings and sincerely believe in its value, love of neighbour if we believe we love God. Hence, community pantries mushroom in many more affluent areas to provide assistance.

Our faith provides the solace and consolation in difficult times such as now. There is a certain clarity or meaning to the struggles and challenges we face in our daily lives.

The Catholic faith being a primary source of strength and survival is more evident in the poorer parishes with the increase in presence of people inside [these churches] despite the restrictions. With Filipinos, when there is no other way to survive, the old saying holds so true…… tanging ang Panginoong Diyos lamang ang may awa.

What faith-future do you envision for Filipino believers regardless of geography, of those deep in materialism or poverty, resilient or despairing in this prolonged period of pandemic, those witnessing the 16

Design

I. Last Supper by Napoleon Abueva, national artist for

IV. Crowning with thorns by Rafael

visual arts

Arcilla

faith or having given it up? Where is God in our lives today?

MM: The message of Christ 2,000 years ago is still the same today. He gave up His life and took up the cross because of His great LOVE in order for us so to have eternal life. What a great gift! As we celebrate our 500 years of Christianity, we, as Filipino believers, are called to be ACTIVE and COURAGEOUS sharers of our faith.

When we were children, we acted like children. However, just as we transform from children to adults, it is our challenge to likewise grow and mature in our faith and be disciples.

We set aside our childish ways and nurture our relationship with God and with others. God is alive and present today. He gave us clear instructions, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

We can be WITNESSES by the life we live. May our thoughts, words and actions give glory to God. Christ gave His all for us, we too can give our all as our gift to Him.

MONSI MATT SAMLP Parish Priest For 35 years Monsignor Claro “Matt” Garcia has been a priest assigned to various parishes, always leaving a mark in the hearts of his parishioners.

His approach to shepherding is multi-disciplinary—with a master’s degree in educational management—melding professionalism with a spiritual dynamism that is infectious.

But what really shines is his availability for those who need him, his cheerfulness and patience, his love for the Lord and his flock.

Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia (front row right) along with officers and staff of Frankfurt PCG prior to the singing of the Philippine national anthem and recitation of the pledge of allegiance during the commemoration of the anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence.. —PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANKFURT PCG

GERMANY

Ako ay Pilipino: Commemoration of Philippine Independence in Frankfurt, Germany Text and images by Philippine Consulate General, Frankfurt

Foreign Affairs

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J

une is the month when Filipinos’ sense of patriotism is stirred, as several activities are held to commemorate the anniversary of Philippine independence.

On the part of Philippine embassies and consulates, receptions are organized and various festivities with community members are staged.

As the pandemic lingers in 2021, many Philippine missions have resorted to virtual events. The Consulate General in Frankfurt (Frankfurt PCG) itself is staging an online concert on June 11 in collaboration with MusicArtes, a private music theater production company in the Philippines. The concert aims to highlight outstanding Filipino music from each era since Philippine independence in 1898 as well as the country’s quincentennial commemoration. Moreover, the Consulate will take part in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ release of its audio-visual presentation entitled, “Lessons for a Changed World: The Legacy of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines,” which will focus on the values of the Philippine Indigenous heritage and proffers these values as a source of inspiration, especially as the world grapples with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consulate hopes to fittingly commemorate this year’s National Day celebration with these activities.

Displays of nationalism are evident among Philippine public servants. “Ako ay Pilipino, buong katapatang nanunumpa, sa watawat ng Pilipinas, at sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag, na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan, na pinakikilos ng sambayanang, maka-Diyos, maka-tao, at makabansa.” This is what you may hear, if you happen to arrive at a Philippine government office at the start of the work week.

The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance (or Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas in Tagalog) following the singing of the national anthem during flag ceremonies was mandated following its legalization under Executive Order No. 343 signed by former President Fidel Ramos on 12 June 1996 and subsequently through the passage of Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The Code states that reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the

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Foreign Affairs

anthem and other national symbols, which embody the national ideals, and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.

The intention and purpose of the pledge may be found in E.O. 343’s preamble – to evoke Filipinos’ sense of history and nationhood and to evince the values that every freedom-loving and nationalistic Filipino ought to possess.

Credit for the pledge’s creation go to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Commission on the Filipino Language.

This sense of nationhood is not lost among Filipinos abroad. Wherever our kababayans may be, often evident is their longing for things and experiences back home. Through challenging times, such as this pandemic, the Filipino community is blessed to have each other to lean on. To one and all, continued good health and a Happy Philippine Independence Day!

Dr. Jennefer S. Salas Resident doctor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the Vivantes Klinikum in Berlin

As I walk to the pantry and get a sip of hot brewed coffee after two vaginal deliveries, I can’t help but think, what does it really mean to be called a Filipino? I’ve realized that being a Filipino is to show compassion for others.

Being selfless and resilient runs in our blood especially in this pandemic crisis.

To be a Filipino doctor in Germany means

a privilege and opportunity. I am privileged to gain new knowledge and experiences in my residency here which has greatly changed the way I view the world around me. As an only Filipino doctor working in my hospital, I have the opportunity to show to my colleagues of different nationalities the talent of Filipinos in the medicine field. I hold my head up high and take pride in being a Filipino - my color, my accent, my passion and my dreams.

Being a Filipino has also taught me important values such as equality, freedom of speech and religion and the importance of acceptance of cultural differences and diversity. These values greatly help me in facing all the challenges in living and working abroad. Wherever I go in the world, I will continue to dedicate myself to perform my duties and will work hard to practice in good faith my Oath as a Filipino Physician.

As a Filipino nurse in Germany, I have realized that no foreign country could separate me from my Filipino roots. The spirit of bayanihan is alive here through events like “Kumustahan”, where Filipinos from different cities come together, share insights and experiences as overseas Filipino workers.

Bayanihan is truly a “TATAK PINOY.”

Christian Dean Icalina Overseas Filipino Worker in Frankfurt, Germany

Maria Karen “Karcy” Viola Neurosurgery nurse, Universitätsklinikum in Freiburg, Germany

An outstanding characteristic of the Filipino is the spirit of bayanihan, a concept depicted in the picture of men helping lift a bahay-kubo together. It has evolved into a meaningful act of togetherness in modern times. Bayanihan has stayed on since the colonization of the Philippines and is evident in times of calamity and pandemic through donation drives of PPEs and food.

I was born and raised in San Fabian Pangasinan. My hometown is well-known for its Eco-Tourism, which consists of therapeutic beaches, breath-taking views and the friendliness of our people. There are over 120 languages spoken in the Philippines and in San Fabian, we speak 3 languages: Tagalog, Ilocano and Pangasinense.

As an OFW in Europe, we take pride on being recognized as a hardworking and hospitable people. By having the heart of a Filipino and determination for success, these qualities provide us an edge to be at par with other nationalities.It is significant for us Filipinos to celebrate our Independence Day in Europe because this brings us together, and at the same time remember our history.

Independence was not given but rather earned through the sacrifices of our people. I am Christian Dean Icalina, a proud PINOY!

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GENEVA

H.E. Evan P. Garcia Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland AMBASSADOR Evan P. Garcia assumed his second tour as Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva on 15 March 2017. He is also currently President of the Council of the International Organization for Migration, and Vice -Chair of the Government Group of the International Labour Organization Governing Body.

A career diplomat who joined the Foreign Service in 1982, he brings over thirty years of professional diplomatic experience to his post. He previously served as the Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Non-resident Ambassador to Ireland. He was also the Undersecretary (Deputy Minister) for Policy, and the Assistant Secretary of the Office of United Nations and International Organizations of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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Foreign Affairs

MOSCOW

A Cebuano is PH First Defense Attaché in Russia

Text & photo by Gloria Hernandez Grejalde

I

t’s most boys’ dream,” was what Col. Dennis Francis V. Pastor said on how he became a soldier. A native of Cebu City, he said his goal was to serve the AFP with utmost professionalism.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Tanglaw Diwa, batch 1992, Col. Pastor speaks highly of the PMA describing it as “the most prestigious educational institution in the Philippines that offers full scholarship.”

“It is a privilege to be part of an in-

stitution which is the foremost investment of the government in national security,” he enthused. He completed the mandatory military schooling required in the service to include the prestigious Scout Ranger Course.

He joined the Philippine Army and served in various capacities as platoon leader, company commander, and battalion commandeer in Samar, Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Surigao, Agusan, and Bicol.

Prior to his deployment as the first ever DAFA in Russia on May 2018, he was assigned at the Intelligence Service of the AFP.

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“It is a sad thing; it took us over 45 years before a DAFA is assigned here. We could have learned so much during the lost times”­— Col. Dennis Francis V. Pastor More than his military training and education, Col. Pastor tucked in his wings a master’s degree in Development and Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines (UP).

“It is a sad thing; it took us over 45 years before a DAFA is assigned here.

We could have learned so much during the lost times,” he related.

History records show that the Philippines is the first country in the Far East where Russia established its consular relations in 1817. Diplomatic rela22

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tions between the Soviet Union and the Philippines were established on June 2, 1976.

The assignment of the military attaché in Russia was in line with President Duterte’s drive to diversify Philippine connections to more countries other than the United States of America (USA) which has been the Philippines long time “ally.”

Maiden successes Dispensing his duty as the first DAFA is not without challenges but Col. Pastor said he has done enough to accomplish so much during the initial

establishment of military cooperation with the Russian government.

Among which he said was the conduct of defense-military cooperation activities in Russia and in the Philippines such as high-level visits, participation in conferences, meetings and consultations, port visits of navy ships, and information exchanges.

“The historic visit of the Philippine Navy ship BRP Tarlac in October 2018 felt surreal. It was mesmerising,” Col. Pastor enthused. The ship docked at the Russian Pacific Fleets’ headquarters in Vladivostok. On board it is the 440-man contingent from the Naval Task Force 87.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta, Vice Consul Luningning Camoying, and Col. Pastor along with Russian representatives welcomed the arrival of the ship.

Another notable achievement was the negotiations for the procurement of defense material to continue modernize the AFP. He, however, said that despite some hitches due to continued

Filipinos “American inclination,” he facilitated the signing of military cooperation and implementing agreements for the procurement.

In lieu of his end of duty in July 2022, Col. Pastor said that he looks forward to continued military relations and cooperation between Russia and the Philippines. “We could learn a lot from them in terms of strategy, technical expertise, and security,” he stressed

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MOSCOW

Filipino, alternative language course at Moscow State University Education: Filipino language bridging cultures Words & images by Gloria Hernandez Grejalde

Dimitri, Prof. Ekterina, Vika and Danila

CONTINUE NEXT PAGE

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I

t is always amazing to hear foreigners speak Filipino, but it is beyond words knowing that it is being taught in a premium university like the Moscow State University (MSU). Filipino is among the four alternative languages offered to students at the MSU Institute of Asia and Africa, the leading Russian Centre for Oriental Studies.

Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish are the three other languages.

“We have been holding Filipino classes since 1957,” according to language professor Ekaterina Baklanova. She said that Dr. Vladimir Makarenko started the teaching of Filipino in Russia. Dr. Makarenko edited and published the first ever Tagalog–Russian Dictionary (1960) and the Russian–Tagalog Dictionary (1965).

Three Economics students are studying the Filipino language where they are taught Philippine history, literature, culture, economics, and grammar. Ms. Baklanova said the language is part of their curriculum.

delivered in Filipino their analysis on the writings of Jose Corazon de Jesus.

Asked why they chose Filipino over the three other languages; they were in unison to say that the Philippines and its people are unknown to them.

“We know nothing about Filipinos. It is always interesting to learn new knowledge, new culture. The Philippine culture is unique,” Dmitry explained. “It is always good to know the relations between the language and its people,” he added.

“When I was to choose which to take, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, or Turkish, I opted to take Filipino. I have no idea about the language, it excites me to learn about it,” Viktoriya, another student said. She also stressed that “it was “tadhana” that she will study Filipino.”

Danila, for his part said “it is a good opportunity to know other culture than Russian. It would be easier to communicate with people when you know their language, their history.”

Filipino is “unknown” Conversing with the Russian students in Filipino was astonishing, their greeting of “magandang umaga at ikinagagalak ko kayong makilala” sounded like music. Those greetings are not often used in the Philippines now. And the younger Filipino generations are more used to English or Taglish, coined Tagalog and English words.

They are also amazing to watch as they

“We know nothing about Filipinos. It is always interesting to learn new knowledge, new culture.”

—

Filipino influences and connections The Filipinos’ ostensible biases against Russia seem to be also true to the Russians.

The students related that their friends where shocked more than surprised when they learned that they were studying Filipino.

“Bakit????,” was their immediate reaction, Dima said that was echoed by Dymitry.

Meanwhile, Viktoriya said that her friends have started greeting her “magandang umaga” and has adopted the expression “bobo ka.” The same with teacher Ekaterina who related that her husband greets her “magandang umaga” instead of the Russian greeting dobroye utro.

Teacher Ekaterina is hoping to establish more connections with the Philippine cultural and educational institutions. She said that the students’ exchange program with the University of the Philippines (UP) has long stopped.

“We hope to establish new connections with any willing university in the Philippines so we can take our students to further learn Filipino culture,” she expressed stressing that costDymitry wise, it is expensive to send their students in the Philippines without formal agreement with any education institution in the Philippines.

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Philippine Embassies and Consulates Roots & Wings has been making an impact on the Euro-Filipino community in the last dozen years by promoting Filipino culture, art, entrepreneurship, outstanding Filipinos in various fields, community events and providing current contacts to diplomatic missions within Europe. See list here.

AUSTRIA

Copenhagen, Denmark

Consulate General of the Philippines, Frankfurt

Embassy of the Philippines, Vienna

Tel (+45) 7141-5952

H.E. Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia

H.E. Deena Joy D. Amatong

Emergency (+45) 2273-3933

Westend Carree

Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim

Email: copenhagen.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Grüneburgweg 16-18, 1st Floor

20th and 21st Floor, ARES Tower

Facebook: @PHinDenmark

60322 Frankfurt Am Main

Donau-City-Strasse 11, A-1220

WWW.COPENHAGENPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Federal Republic of Germany Tel (+49) (0) 69 8700 66900

Vienna, Austria Tel (+43-1) 533-2401

FINLAND

Hotline (+49) (0) 151 6248 7425

Emergency Tel (+43-6991) 232-2034

Embassy of the Philippines, Greater Helsinki

Assistance to Nationals (+49) (0) 151 5354 6841

Email: vienna.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Vice Consul, ad honorem Mdme. Teresita

Email: frankfurt.pcg@dfa.gov.ph

vienna.pm@dfa.gov.ph

Zurbano Ruutu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

WWW.VIENNAPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Ukonkivenpolku 3e, Fi-01610 Vantaa, Finland

PHinFrankfurt/

Tel (+358) 407 071 817

WWW.FRANKFURTPCG.DE

EMAIL: TERESITA.RUUTU@SAUNALAHTI.FI

WWW.FRANKFURTPCG.DFA.GOV.PH/

BELGIUM Embassy of the Philippines, Brussels H.E. Ambassador Eduardo José A. De Vega

FRANCE

GREECE

297 Avenue Moliere, Brussels, 1050 BELGIUM

Embassy of the Philippines, Paris

Embassy of the Philippines, Athens

Tel (+32-2) 34033-77 to 78

H.E. AILEEN MENDIOLA RAU

H.E. Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec

Emergency Tel (+32-4) 8860-9177

Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim

26 Antheon Street, Paleo Psychico 154-52

Email: brussels.pe@dfa.gov.ph;

4 Hameau de Boulainvilliers

Athens, Greece

brusselspe@gmail.com

45 Rue du Ranelagh

Tel (+30210) 672-1883

Facebook: @PHinBelgium

75016 Paris, France

(+30210) 672-1883

WWW.BRUSSELSPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Tel (+331) 4414-5700

672-1837

(+331) 4414-5700 4414-5701/2 (Consular)

Emergency (+30-697) 968-2921,

CZECH REPUBLIC

Emergency (+336) 2059-2515 (+336) 2059-2515

(+30-697) 968-2921

Embassy of the Philippines, Prague

Email: paris.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Email: athens.pe@dfa.gov.ph;

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Ombra T. Jainal

parispe.dfa@gmail.com

ATHENSPE@OTENET.GR

Senovazne Namesti 8, Prague 1, 110 00

Facebook: @PHinFrance

Czech Republic

WWW.PARISPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Tel (+420) 224-216397 (+420) 224-216397 /

HUNGARY Embassy of the Philippines, Budapest

GERMANY

H.E. Ambassador Frank R. Cimafranca

224-216385

Embassy of the Philippines, Berlin

1026 Budapest, Gabor Aron utca 58

Emergency Tel (+420) 607-850-764

H.E. Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega

Budapest, Hungary

Email: prague.pe@dfa.gov.ph;

Luisenstrasse 16, 10117 Berlin-Mitte

Tel (+36-1) 391-4300

praguepe@gmail.com

Federal Republic of Germany

Email: budapest.pe@dfa.gov.ph /

Facebook: @PHinCzechRepublic

Tel +49 (0) 30 864 95 00

phbuda@philembassy.hu

WWW.PRAGUEPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Emergency +49 (0) 173-521-5703

Facebook: @PHLinHungary

Email: info@philippine-embassy.de, consular@

WWW.BUDAPESTPE.DFA.GOV.PH

DENMARK

philippine-embassy.de

ISRAEL

Embassy of the Philippines, Copenhagen

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/

H.E. Ambassador Leo M. Herrera-Lim

PHinGermany

Embassy of the Philippines, Tel-Aviv

Arne Jacobsens Alle 13, 1st Floor, 2300

WWW.PHILIPPINE-EMBASSY.DE

H.E. Ambassador-designate Macairog S. Alberto

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Foreign Affairs

No. 18 Bnei Dan Street, Tel-Aviv, 62260 Israel

Tel +48 22 490 2025 and +48 694 491 664

Tel (+9723) 601-0500 (+9723) 601-0500

Emergency +48 604 357 396

Emergency (+972-54) 466-1188

Email: warsaw.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Embassy of the Philippines, Berne

(+972-54) 466-1188

Facebook: @PHLinPoland

H.E. Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan

Email: telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph;

WWW.WARSAWPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Kirchenfeldstrasse 73-75

filembis@netvision.net.il WWW.PHILEMBTELAVIV.CO.IL

PORTUGAL

SWITZERLAND

3005 Berne, Switzerland

Embassy of the Philippines, Lisbon

Tel (+41-31) 350-1700

H.E. Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria

Emergency (+41-79) 542-1992

Rua Barata Salgueiro 30–3 andar

Email: berne.pe@dfa.gov.ph /

Embassy of the Philippines, Rome

1250-044 Lisbon, Portugal

info@philembassyberne.ch

H.E. Ambassador Domingo P. Nolasco

Tel (+351) 216-083-274; 216-083-276;

Facebook: @PHinSwitzerland

Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro 112-114

216-083-277

WWW.BERNEPE.DFA.GOV.PH

00136 Rome, Italy

Emergency (+351) 925-410-257

Tel (+3906) 3974-6621 (+3906) 3974-6621

E-mail: lisbon.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Emergency (+39) 328-690-7613

lisbon.pe@gmail.com

Embassy of the Philippines, London

(+39) 328-690-7613

WWW.LISBONPE.DFA.GOV.PH

H.E. Ambassador Antonio Manuel R. Lagdameo

ITALY

Email: rome.pe@dfa.gov.ph romepe2007@gmail.com WWW.PHILEMBASSY-ROME.NET

UNITED KINGDOM

6-8 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

United Kingdom of Great Britain

Embassy of the Philippines, Moscow

Tel (+44) 20-7451-1780

H.E. Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta

Emergency (+44) 78-0279-0695

Karmanitsky Pereulok 8

Email: london.pe@dfa.gov.ph /

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES,

Building 1, 121099

embassy@philemb.co.uk

THE HAGUE

Moscow, Russian Federation

Facebook: @PHLinUK

H.E. Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya

Tel (+7-499) 241-0563; 241-0564; 241-0565)

WWW.LONDONPE.DFA.GOV.PH

(incoming)

Email: moscow.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Tel (+31) 70360-4820

moscowpe@mailfrom.ru

Emergency (+31)(0) 65261-1079

Facebook: Philembassy Moscow

Embassy of the Philippines, Vatican

Email: thehague.pe@dfa.gov.ph / thehague@

WWW.MOSCOWPE.DFA.GOV.PH

H.E. Ambassador Grace R. Princesa

THE NETHERLANDS

philembassy.nl Facebook: @PHinTheNetherlands WWW.THEHAGUEPE.DFA.GOV.PH

VATICAN, ITALY

Via Paolo VI, 29, 00193 Rome, Italy

SPAIN

Tel (+39-06) 6830-8020

Embassy of the Philippines, Madrid

Email: vatican.pe@dfa.gov.ph /

H.E Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier

vaticanpe2@gmail.com

Calle Eresma 2, 28002 Madrid, Spain (Chancery)

https://dfa.gov.ph/about/dfa-directory/our-

Embassy of the Philippines, Oslo

Calle Guadalquivir 6, 28002 Madrid, Spain

foreign-service-posts-dfa

Nedre Vollgate 4, 0158 Oslo, Norway

(Consular Section)

WWW.VATICANPE.DFA.GOV.PH

P.O. Box 1758 VIKA N-0122 Oslo, Norway

Tel (+34) 917-823-830 / 917-823-836; 917-451-

(+47) 224-00900 (+47) 224-00900

734 (Consular Section)

Emergency (+47) 902 41 171

Emergency (+34) 616-491-861

Email: helpdesk@philembassy.no

Email: madrid.pe@dfa.gov.ph /

WWW.PHILEMBASSY.NO

madridpe@yahoo.com

NORWAY

Consular: info@philembassymadrid.

ICELAND

com / consular@philembassymadrid.com

Philippine Consulate, Reykjavik, Iceland

Facebook: @PHinSpain

H.E. Consul Maria Priscilla Zanoria a.h

www.philembassymadrid.com

Skógarsel 39

WWW.MADRIPE.DFA.GOV.PH

109 Reykjavik, Iceland Tel (+354) 897 5391 EMAIL: PHILCONSUL@SIMNET.IS

SWEDEN Embassy of the Philippines, Stockholm H.E. Consul Raul Dado

POLAND

Charge d’ affaires, ad interim

Embassy of the Philippines, Warsaw

Mobile +46 702 735 407,

H.E. Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz

+63 9054039435 (Viber)

Ul. Lentza 11, 02-956 Warsaw, Republic of Poland

EMAIL: STOCKHOLM.PE@DFA.GOV.PH

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RAISE OUR FLAG PARIS

Further to advocating women empowerment, Kandama social enterprise gives Filipinos around the globe something to be proud of by putting indigenous textiles in front and centre of the world stage.

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Words by Donna Patricia Manio Photos by Kandama Collective

I

t all began with a dream and lots of moxy while toiling away in law school. Soon enough, Victor Baguilat Jr., founder of Kandama Social Enterprise, found himself in Paris, at the Gustave Eiffel Salon, showing Ifugao fabrics to the discerning, fashion-forward Parisian crowd proving that Philippine-made frocks are world-class and très chic.

This runway show for International Indigenous Fashion Week was one of the many platforms that became an avenue for the young designer to showcase his heritage and a decolonised, modern view of Filipino design.

Trading books and memorising legal provisions for sketching and design work, Baguilat was more than eager to follow his passion. “On my fourth year of studying law, I got really depressed.

I felt like I was a fish out of water. And then I asked myself, if I only have two years to live, would I be doing what I am doing?

So, I looked for activities that make me enthusiastic about life […] and I realised that what I wanted to do is at the intersection of wanting to express my identity as a person with indigenous heritage, my interests in design and the arts and my desire to contribute to the empowerment of women […] When I got clarity as to the direction that I wanted in life, I created Kandama Social Enterprise, which was incubated at the Young Social Entrepreneur’s Program of the Singapore International Foundation,” the designer shares.

The gamble paid off and the floodgates of opportunity opened. Aside from having their creations worn by beauty queen Gazini Ganados, actress Marian Rivera, songstress Sarah Geronimo, and international theatre icon Lea Salonga, to name a few, Kandama Collective was listed as one of the Development Bank of Singapore’s top 100 social enterprises to watch out

“My vision for Philippine fashion design and for the local fashion design community in general is to decolonise and indigenise design” for in Asia in 2018. More invitations to international fashion shows followed including the Melbourne Fashion Festival and the famed New York Fashion Week, an annual gathering for the world’s most stylish.

But despite all these glamorous prospects, Baguilat and his team acknowledge that Kandama’s heart is much about the gritty: generating a sustainable business model for the weavers and traversing the complex world of identity politics and representation. “One of the

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problems we were faced with was that the woven fabrics that we were selling do not command the price reasonable enough to compensate for the amount of time and effort spent by the weavers to make them. Hence, I was forced to find ways to add more value to the woven fabrics and that is where generating innovative designs came in.” For the artist, honouring the work can’t be separate from recognising the hands that made them.

Since becoming a familiar name in the world stage, Kandama is very particular with how the country is repre-

sented. More than views, likes, and shares, the designer emphasises maximising the opportunity to educate global citizens about Filipino identity through design. “My vision for Philippine fashion design and for the local fashion design community in general is to decolonise and indigenise design.

Decolonise means that designs take into account the pre-colonial thinking, the way of understanding and the intimate relationship that indigenous people have with the environment and the rest of the world […] On the other hand, indigenising means that we naturalise

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Indigenous knowledge systems and make them evident to transform spaces, places, and hearts, from the clothes that we wear to the public spaces that we operate in.”

With these goals and principles in mind and heart, the designer also envisions the how Filipina—and Filipino—can take pride in wearing Ifugao weaves. “My design philosophy is that design is a cultural artifact.

The clothes produced at my design studio tell a story. The fabrics that we co-create with indigenous weavers contain a cultural DNA that we seek to 32

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pass down from one generation to another. And while a garment’s function and its commercial value are important to us, the heart of our designs is about the impact that we make and the stories that we tell.” Truly, a good story is like a vibrant tapestry. It shows beauty that goes beyond the topical and tells of something meaningful.

With Kandama Social Enterprise’s growing body of work, more people can learn more about the story of the Filipino. In a way, showing off these beautifully woven fabrics to the world is akin to raising our flag.

GERMANY

Anja-Vanessa Peter, Filipina-German model An interview by Rebecca Urbančík Garcia Photos by Anja-Vanessa Peter

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F

ilipinos are everywhere, and that is true. It is always inspiring to hear about the accomplishments of our “kababayans” in Europe and around the world. RW Rebecca Urbančík Garcia had the pleasure of interviewing Anja-Vanessa Peter, a Filipina-German fashion model and former professional tennis player. (Funny, Anja and I were formally “e-introduced” by a mutual friend who is also in the modeling industry in the Philippines! Small world indeed!)

Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Anja was born to Filipino-German parents. Her mother was born in Tacloban City, Leyte but grew up in Manila. Anja currently resides in Frankfurt, Germany but she has also lived in the Philippines. She has plans to move to New York later this year to pursue her modeling career which unfortunately had to be postponed from last year due to the pandemic.

Anja, thanks again for taking the time for this interview! Let’s get to it :) The theme of this month’s issue is “Sino Ako”. How do you see yourself, being more Filipino or more German? How do you define having dual nationality?

I have been highly influenced by both cultures and thus, I’d consider myself a hybrid. In some aspects of my personality, I’m definitely more Filipino (family-oriented, snacker, hospitable, positivity) and in some respects I’m more German (punctual, disciplined, love German bread). Although I must admit that when it comes to being on time, I can be both: either super punctual or very Filipino time hehe.

Personally speaking, dual nationality to me means loving and celebrating all kinds of cultures. I love the fact that I was exposed to different cultural norms. It gave me an inherent sense of tolerance and turned me into a more open-minded person.

One of the benefits of coming from a mixed racial background is that I have an understanding about two different cultures and familiarity and appreciation for both.

Do you speak Tagalog or any other dialects?

I speak Tagalog and unfortunately no dialects.

Apart from being a model, I understand that you were also a professional tennis player. Could you tell us about your tennis career?

I was Runner-Up at the German Championships 2001 (12 and under). I was a Second German Bundes League Player in 2004. I also participated at the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines, and in the same year I represented the Philippines as a Fed-Cup Play-

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“Binibining Pilipinas” was a turning point in my life where I took a leap of faith and just followed my inner voice and went after my dreams.

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er in India. From then on, I was a College Player for the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in 2008-2009.

From 2017-2018, I was a tennis analyst for CNN Philippines and talked about Grand Slam tournaments like the Australian Open.

When did you decide to start modeling? Did you always want to become a model?

I started modeling back in 2009 but only part-time.

When I moved to the Philippines in 2014, that is when I started modeling full-time. I have worked for brands like Adidas, Birkenstock, Cupra, McDonald’s, Olay, Porsche, YSL Beauty, etc. I always wanted to try out modeling full-time, but I never had the guts until I got encouraged by my friends in the Philippines to just get out of my comfort zone and chase my dreams.

I believe you made it to the Top 15 of “Binibining Pilipinas”. That’s amazing! Could you tell us about this particular experience?

One of the most fun and yet most challenging experiences in my life. “Binibining Pilipinas” was a turning point in my life where I took a leap of faith and just followed my inner voice and went after my dreams.

I have not regretted that decision because I’d rather try things out than having those “what if” moments.

Well, during the competition, I learned how to walk on heels and do my own make up and made friends for life. Most importantly, I learned to be patient and to believe in myself even though the odds were not in my favour.

Have you participated in German beauty pageants as well? If I’m not mistaken, you were also Miss Supranational - Germany a few years ago?

Yes, I became Miss Supranational Germany 2016 and joined the international competition in Poland and Slovakia :) How was it? Were there any major differences from the pageants / contestants in the Philippines?

I could tell that Filipino beauty contestants were more polished than the Germans and pageant trainers were more experienced than the ones from Germany. One of the major differences was the duration of the competition. In Germany, we did not really have a national competition and I just got appointed. In the Philippines, the national competition lasted about 3 months.

As a Filipina-German model, are there any challenges with the local industry (in Germany)?

I have not really faced any challenges in the German 36

Lifestyle

industry to be honest. People appreciate the fact that I’m ethnically ambiguous:) What was the most difficult photo shoot you have ever done, and how did you handle it? Alternatively, any fun or memorable photo shoots?

My most memorable shoot was in El Nido with Tao Philippines. Tao Philippines is a castaway experience for people who [would] love to [go on an adventure to] the remote islands of Palawan. After that shoot, Palawan became my favorite island in the world because of its beauty of nature.

I love Palawan! I’ll definitely look into this castaway experience next time I’m there… What do you miss the most about the Philippines?

I miss so many things: my family, friends, the beach and of course the food! My [absolute] favourite is tuyo with garlic rice! Hehe I understand that you recently started your own online magazine, “Buhay Abroad” — Congratulations! Can you tell us about this project?

Buhay Abroad is a Filipino online magazine that features the life of Filipinos who live outside of the Philippines. Our Buhay Abroad team (consisting of Ryan Wolff, Nelson Enriquez, and myself) basically interviews people who are either full or part Filipino and talk about their life and stories they have to share.

We want to build a community outside of the Philippines and just want to be an inspirational platform that aims to uplift people.

And to wrap it up, in a few words, how would you define yourself and answer the question — “Sino Ako”?

I’m a Filipina-German who tries to see the positive things in life and really believes in the mantra “You only live once. So just do what makes you happy.”

I wish Anja all the best as she pursues her modeling career in the US and applaud her for her efforts in recognizing and uplifting Filipinos abroad. Vielen dank (many thanks), Anja!

Link to Buhay Abroad: https://buhayabroad.com Instagram: @anjavpeter

PHILIPPINES

Dappy and Kyna - Headed Straight for Love Reprinted with permission from Themes&Motifs.com

A

traditional Filipino wedding celebrated during extraordinary circumstances - an exquisite combination of familiarity and uncertainty, and a unique blend of grandiose festivity celebrated in the most intimate manner. These are the words that best describe a celebration of love in the time of corona, or what we older millennials call a “pandemic wedding.” KPR “We did not shy away from these challenges because we made sure that we were equipped”.

Dappy Reyes and Kyna Pasamba’s love story is the stuff of a romantic comedy. Guy spots girl during a job interview, guy can’t stop thinking about girl, girl couldn’t care less. On their first date, as the script–we meant fate–would have it, it ended with Dappy and Kyna sharing a single umbrella as they finished their ice cream.

Dappy and Kyna’s wedding, like many others, was adjusted and readjusted to make it suitable to the government guidelines. But because research and information was their best friend, the couple confidently pulled off a ”grand wedding” complete with choir and orchestra at the ceremony and a live concert for the reception.

Of course live music was a must for the only daughter of Bernie Pasamba of Bernie Pasamba Music Consultancy, and Vocalismo

Choral Group, and as Kyna says, it was also strategic because it allowed guests to skip conversastion (or opportunities for transmission).

Below Kyna talks to Inspirations.ph how they prepared for their wedding and ensured that safety protocols were followed

throughout: What was your wedding plan?

Kyna Pasamba Reyes (KPR): This was not the original plan.

The original plan is a 300-guest list with a 16-piece orchestra and 10 piece choir. We cut down the guest list from 300 persons to 50

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persons, and reduced the 16-piece orchestra to a double string quartet. We also had to cut short the program.

We also had to ensure that all government protocols are complied with: contact tracing, social distancing, wearing of face masks and face shields, adhering the maximum seating capacity of the church and restaurant for the private dinner, no games (close contact), sanitation of event areas etc.

To minimize conversations, we staged a flash mob and a live concert for our guests. This was essentially our program.

We also conducted a survey of our guests to know who was willing to attend, before actually sending the formal invitation to them because we have to ensure that we do not exceed the maximum seating capacity of the venues. This also helps us finally decide if we will move the private dinner at a later date (i.e., when the number of people who will physically attend the wedding will exceed the maximum seating capacity of the venue.) This is very unlike a pre-covid wedding where the couple first send out the invitations to their guests, 38

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and then the guests respond to the RSVP. (They talk more about this process in their Love Wins: Live Forum guesting click here –Eds) What were the challenges to planning your wedding?

KPR: First challenge was finalizing the guest list. Many of our friends and relatives actually wanted to attend so we had to “filter out” a number of our guests, and limit formal invitations for physical attendance to our closest family members and friends. Second challenge is ensuring that we will comply with all government directives to ensure that we aren’t transgressing any IATF guidelines. Third challenge is creating the website and FB Facebook group–channels where we could consolidate information and updates that our guests may need to know about a pandemic wedding.

Fourth challenge was keeping abreast of IATF guidelines, which were constantly changing every two (2) weeks. We had to adjust the wedding invites, program etc. so as to adhere to these changes.

We addressed these challenges head-on. We did not shy away from

these challenges because we made sure that we were equipped with the necessary information which would help us ensure the safety of our guests and the success of the wedding. We also engaged the best suppliers in the wedding industry who are, likewise, equipped with their own safety measures and equipment, and knowledge of the health and safety protocols of the government.

How did you feel on your wedding day?

KPR: Nervous yet ecstatic. Though we initially wanted a big wedding, our intimate wedding turned out to be grand in its own way. A historic one, to say the least, which we could share to our future children and grandchildren.

Are you still planning on a bigger wedding?

KPR: Yes, if the opportunity presents itself. Right now, we are focusing on our careers, and building a bigger family. We’re definitely planning a “grander” first year anniversary. www.themesnmotifs.com

ZURICH

Kuwentuhang Sabado

Celebrate and explore Filipino identity through storytelling Text and photos by Lily C. Fen

K ABOVE ANNUAL GRILL During the long days of summer at Wassen, Uri. Kain tayo!

uwentuhang Sabado believes in Filipino language learning by instilling a strong sense of Filipino identity through stories and activities.

Kuwentuhang Sabado was born in the summer of 2016, when five passionate Filipinas with connections to Switzerland put their knowledge and dreams together to create this Swiss non-profit club. Their objective: offer

ways for children to learn about their Filipino heritage while abroad, a subject close to their hearts due to their own search for their roots.

Offered once a month, KS runs a two-hour session which follows the flow of a structured playgroup, an enjoyable way for kids up to ten years of age to delve into their Filipino selves. KS provides a community for Swiss-Filipino families who are passionate about their Asian ancestry. The Filipino language and its customs come to life for

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MALETAKLATAN is currently stationed in Zürich at Zentrum ELCH Accu in Oerlikon and will be open

STORY TIME Charlie regales the children with another

every Kuwentuhang Sabado Session.

tale taken from Maletaklatan, the KS library stationed at Zentrum ELCH Accu in Oerlikon!

PEPE A bust of Jose Rizal sits proudly at Wassen, Uri, where the KS crew go for a summer session.

One of the KS founders, Kith, reads a story to attentive children.

GINATA-AN Getting ready to make ginataan, a delectable and heartwarming sweet dish, at Kuwentuhang Sabado CREATIVE TIME Children at KS work on their colouring pages ­—LILY C.

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Education

­—LILY C. FEN

youngsters through stories and crafts.

Songs initiate and conclude the program, while storytelling, activities, and snacks take place in between.

Meet the Founders Lenny, a second-generation Filipina, says “I have always dreamed of a program for kids of Filipinos living in Switzerland so that they can acquaint themselves with their heritage culture starting from a young age. When Cherry, Charlie, Kith, Sining and I came together and brought Kuwentuhang Sabado to life, this dream came true.”

Kith grew up playing taguan, patintero, and other beloved Filipino games on the streets of Quezon City. Informed by how much fun she had with the neighborhood kids, she adds, “I wish for my son to pick up one of his native tongues in a playful environment that would make him appreciate his identity

as a child of two cultures.”

Charlie’s parents migrated to Switzerland in 1989, making her what she dubs a “seconda”, a second-generation migrant who lives between two worlds.

She is a mum of two children who are both learning to speak Tagalog.

Sining grew up with a love for languages in a bilingual Filipino and English-speaking family. Reading books and serious discussions were in English but the fun was in Filipino: playing tumbang-preso or watching an aunt portray characters from Noli Me Tangere. “I am trying to teach Filipino to my two boys, ages ten and one. KS is an answer to my prayer!”

Cherry views KS as a means of sharing the priceless gift of one’s mother tongue. She believes in the importance of preserving the language that always brings her back home, despite having spent much of her childhood in Saudi

Even during the height of the coronavirus lockdown, KS families got together online to create a model of the coronavirus using items from the kitchen. Ang saya!

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Arabia and having lived in Switzerland for more than a decade.

Two of the KS founders, Sining and Cherry, together with their University of the Philippines colleague, Maita Salvador, took the playgroup a step further by working on an academic paper on heritage language learning. They presented their findings at the 20th European Conference on Literacy in Madrid. They focused on KS’s aim to promote Filipino language learning and establish Filipino identity through the joy of stories, providing young heritage language learners (HLLs) meaningful experiences in the target language. They discovered that acquiring a migrant parents’ language and culture was a means to psychological and social empowerment, leading to higher self-esteem in those of Filipino descent, compared to those who had no access to the culture.

Meet the Founders

Maletaklatan Worth noting is KS’s in-house library dubbed Maletaklatan (from “maleta”—suitcase— and “aklatan”— library). KS families have access to more than fifty Filipino children’s books, with the collection continually growing.

Charlie’s parents migrated to Switzerland in 1989, a second-generation migrant who lives between two worlds. She is a mom of two children who are both learning to speak Tagalog.

Lenny a second-generation Filipina, says “I have always dreamed of a program for kids of Filipinos living in Switzerland so that they can acquaint themselves with their heritage culture.

Kith Kith grew up playing taguan, patintero, and other beloved Filipino games on the streets of Quezon City.

Charlie

Sining Sining grew up with a love for languages in a bilingual Filipino and Englishspeaking family.

JOIN

Kuwentuhang Sabado FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TAKE PART IN OR BORROW A BOOK FROM MALETAKLATAN, VISIT KUWENTUHANGSABADO.COM OR EMAIL INFO

www.kuwentuhangsabado.com

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Education

Cherry She believes in the importance of preserving the language that always brings her back home, despite having spent much of her childhood in Saudi

PHILIPPINES

Just Where Are We?

Text by Nita Herrera-Umali Berthelsen (1923-2014) Reprinted with permission In 1946, at the age of 23, Nita H. Umali posed a question - “Just where are we?” a few days before the United States granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946. Seventy-five years later, in the year 2021, Katrina Stuart Santiago, her great-niece, attempts to reply. Both journalists, one from a past generation, and one actively working today. PJV

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­A

nd of course, the proper answer, the one I should quite emphatically give myself, would be, “Why, stupid, it is almost dawn, the light is seeping in! A new day is being born. Why do you close your eyes to it? And why do you turn your back to the sun?” Maybe it is because I am near-sighted, physically and otherwise, and I am afraid of dazzling glares, and because emotionally I am not looking through rose-colored glasses.

This, of course, is striking a discordant note somewhere, and at such a time as this is very improper. I just hope that on the very day of *July four the afternoon mist is here to make me realize that all are not sharp angles, except in my noonday imaginations.

Yes, freedom is here and hundreds of years ago they started to gather the bricks for the stronghold that we have today. Women in long, swishing skirts and upswept hair, going to Church in slipper-shod feet, whispering to God that their men should be saved. Mangled bodies and wet blood smelted and the foundation laid. Time went on, and the materials for building were not so dearly priced, until a few years ago, the iron yoke was laid on our backs. Once more, women, now in short skirts, their wooden shoes punctuating the hush in the chapel, asked from God. Not whispered prayers, but in silent supplication, because spoken words were so dangerous. Maimed limbs, numb minds, and closed mouths. The flame of the blood red sun trying to engulf them, and the blood of past ages and the present day flowing by their feet, urging them on, to fight for freedom, for the greater glory.

And now we shall get it. By a piece of paper, signed and sealed, everything will be different.

Or will it? Will there be a change in us as we go to class, or walk the streets? Will our way of thinking, our mode of reasoning, alter? Will our country, with all its men and women, its strong-willed leaders, its weak officials, its priests, and lawyers and doctors, its teachers and bandits, its carefree youths and

NITA Umali in Iowa University 1949 with the poet Leonard Randolph — ­ SOURCE

discontented peasants, its beggars and criminals, will she, the Philippines, with her tropic skies and lazy palms, that small group of islands, after long years of restfully reclining on the solid hunk that is America, will she learn to stand erect, unsupported, even on a pair of wobbly feet?

We have what we want, what every other dependent nation has long wanted — we have it in our hands; shall we let it slip away? Will the *four freedoms that we have fought for, will it, be just a mockery to what we are? The present dust of Manila is in our eyes, and the dust of the world in our consciousness. The way is dim and shadowy, and though now and then there are erratic shafts of light, still the sudden brightness of tomorrow may blind us.

Faith, hope, and love, those age-old standards, these are the sole supports we have, the beacons that are here to guide us, as we leave the protecting shadows of the stars and stripes, and venture forth into a new life that is but a continuity to the old.

*Following the end of World War II, the United States granted independence to the Philippines on 4 July 1946 via the Treaty of Manila. July 4 was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until August 4, 1964, when, upon the advice of historians and the urging of nationalists, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 designating June 12 as the country’s Independence Day **freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear (the Four Freedoms speech - United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s State of the Union address delivered to congress on January 6, 1941) In 1952 Nita Umali married Poul Berthelsen, a Dane in New York. They subsequently moved to Manila and in 1973 moved to

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PHILIPPINES

What We Know of Darkness Text and photos by Katrina Stuart Santiago

I

n 1946, at the age of 23, Nita H. Umali posed a question - "Just where are we?" a few days before the United States granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946.

Seventy-five years later, in the year 2021, Katrina Stuart Santiago, her great-niece, attempts to reply.

Both journalists, one from a past generation, and one actively working today. PJV

What We Know of Darkness Is what we know of the certainty of light. As in the impulse to unite on shared battles, the ones so crucial they survive the passage of time, are embraced across generations, as it was brought to bear on that moment 75 years ago, when the Philippine flag flew highest in the air for the first time.

Is what we know of our capacity to create light. Despite, or because of fear. Spreading photocopied stories on the real state of the

nation; supporting a free press that bites incessantly, draws blood unfailingly; living off a lush grapevine of narratives passed surreptitiously at gatherings.

Until the voices grew louder to the point of paralysis: a boycott of wants, needs, cravings—all sacrifice, maybe rebellion—aimed squarely at the corrupt and wealthy. We practiced and won on civil disobedience 35 years ago, a citizenry discovering its collective power.

Is what we know of carrying

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a torch. For revolutions that we fashion ourselves. Bright enough to overthrow a dictator, or unseat a President, or take back our freedoms.

Is what we know of waning light.

As new generations grew into democracy, with little appreciation for the battles fought and lives sacrificed; as freedom began to be seen as entitlement, with little understanding of what it demands, how it is nurtured, who it must cradle. Here is the decay of the present: where justice and rights are skewed to serve a violently dysfunctional system, now deeply entrenched, borne of the power and wealth that so defined nation and its independence 75 years ago. Bound to it, inextricably.

Controlled by it, (in)definitely.

Is what we know of blinding light. In a country preoccupied with the constant search for heroes, we take the next person who will promise the blaze of change, the brilliance of liberation.

We are at the mercy of a pendulum that shifts from bad to worse, disinformation to propaganda,

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History

“The only way this blinding light can survive is if it keeps us unseeing— deaf and dumb, stupefied and numbed”

falsity to deceit. Because the only way this blinding light can survive is if it keeps us unseeing—deaf and dumb, stupefied and numbed. Kept within the space of the unfulfilled, propped up by the words we want to hear. Here where media is just as blindly fumbling through its own institutional darkness, the loudest voice wins.

Is what we know of light. As love for the shadows that, now familiar, might lend itself to faith.

Faith in the fact that knowing the darkness—sharp angles of light included—will allow us to map out our movements in hope. Hope, that despite the discordant voices and political divides, we can build towards a lucid brightness, the kind that allows us to see where we are, given where we come from, towards where we need to go. And we might start with walking on unsteady feet, and we might take our time finding our bearings, but we will forge through.

Because what we know for sure about this darkness is that it will always only promise to deliver the light that will never come.

UNITED KINGDOM

RIZAL at 160: a Filipino Feat in Britain Text by Junart Kim S. Nieva

J

ose Rizal, Philippine national hero, would have turned 160 years old this year. Although it may not seem a significant milestone, let us revisit a historical moment when he arrived in 19th century England.

1888. Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch. Rizal was 27. From the USA, he arrived in Liverpool in May of that year, staying overnight at Adelphi Hotel before proceeding to the capital city London. The grand Edwardian style hotel, still in operation today, is situated near the city centre and is just a short walk from Liverpool Lime Street station.

Rizal had to go abroad (for the second time) so he could fight better his persecutors back home. One of the main reasons he came to England was to enhance his English language. Rizal boarded with the Beckett family in 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, Northwest London. A memorial dedicated to him exists in a small garden at Primrose Hill Community Library, Sharpleshall Street (NW1 8YN).

He was romantically linked to Gertrude Beckett (aka Tottie), the eldest among the daughters of his landlord. The English maiden used to assist Rizal with his paintings and sculptural works, and even prepared English tea for him in the evenings. They fondly called each other ‘Gettie’ and ‘Pettie.’

But not all infatuations lead to romance. “I cannot deceive her. I cannot marry her because I have other ties,” Rizal said to Regidor, “but I am not going to commit the indignity of placing passion over the pure and virginal love she might offer me.” His main

task and top priority during his stay was to copy, analyse, and annotate the rare book Sucecos de las Islas Filipinas, written by Spanish historian and lawyer Antonio de Morga, kept in the British Museum (former British Library). The book inspired our young hero to annotate information about the early history of Spanish occupation in the Philippines.

The British Museum in Bloomsbury remains one of the world’s top repository of knowledge on human history, culture, and artefacts. During Rizal’s time, a special pass was needed to enter, much like Hogwarts Library’s restricted section. He was able to secure a reader’s pass through a man of authority, Dr. Reinhold Rost who was a friend of Ferdinand Blumentritt. Dr. Rost attributed to Rizal the title ‘Una Perla de Hombre’ (A Pearl of a Man). The power of network and connection then existed among notable readers of the Reading Room including Karl Marx, and novelists Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and Bram Stoker (Dracula).

It was in London that Rizal wrote the famous ‘Letter to the Women of Malolos,’ in which he showed appreciation and support to the courageous Bulakenyas campaigning for education, as well as his first ever article published in La Solidaridad, ‘To the Filipino Farmers,’ both written in 1889. With all these great works accomplished over a short period of time, one can surmise that Rizal’s stay in the United Kingdom, though brief, was very productive.

In the summer of 1888, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt, “If I were a free European, I should now be married and have a family, and could live at the side of my parents. I would dedicate myself to science and, in the company of my friends, in peace and tranquillity, enjoy this beautiful world. If you only knew how I envy the meanest clerk in London!”

There was a prospect of a better life in the United Kingdom and yet, amidst all the opportunities, he chose to continue the fight for his countrymen, his one true love. *Junart Kim S. Nieva is an educator, writer, social entrepreneur, and a member of the Knights of Rizal – London Chapter UK. He lives in Surrey, England. Connect

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PHILIPPINES

DRAWN TO THE PHILIPPINES Peter Olwyler, American reporter in Manila, 1945

Text by PJV Photos by Peter Olwyler with permission from son Michael Olwyler

I

t was fate that diverted Peter Olwyler, a New Yorker, to Manila in 1945 and love for the Philippines that led to his return shortly after the war. Peter was sent to the South Pacific as a reporter for the U.S. First Cavalry division in 1943. In August 1945 the

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History

first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and his ship, bound for Japan, was diverted to the Philippines.

Despite the harsh realities of the war, he fell in love with the country and its people and set his mind on returning.

On his release from the military service in 1946 he married Teddy, his childhood sweetheart from Mount Vernon, to whom he had been engaged before the war. He later worked for the

MOTORCYCLE STOP Town of Mayon, August 1949

TAGBAKIN Quezon Province

BAGUIO Session Street from hill; Peter’s son Michael used two of Peter’s photos to make this panorama of Baguio, March 1950

Des Moines Register, a daily newspaper in Iowa.

In 1949 the couple boarded a freighter in New York that took them to Manila where they stayed for over a year. They took photos and published articles on local art and culture, travelling extensively throughout the islands on motorcycles and recording the changes that had taken place since the Philippines was granted independence by the Americans.

Peter Olwyler continued to work as a photojournalist, songwriter and producer on his return to the States, settling in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico together with Teddy and their two children, Kelle and Michael. Over the years they remained in touch with the friends they had made in the Philippines.

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SWITZERLAND

Recommended Reads from Rawmags: Modern Filipino Writing in English Text by Lily C. Fen

A

s we celebrate Philippine Independence Day this June, Roots & Wings shares with you recommended Filipino reads that include works of fiction and non-fiction to tickle the intellect and imagination.

K. M. Levis penned Filipino

Candy Gourlay walked the

fantasy fiction novels, The Girl Between Two Worlds, and its sequel, The Girl Between Light and Dark. Her works are published by Anvil Teens and make for an action-packed read, bringing you into a rich and familiar world of engkantos and the manananggal, along with other characters from Filipino folklore. The third part to her Engkantasia series of novels is also out, entitled The Search for Adarna.

rice terraces with the people of Bontoc to build her third novel, Bone Talk. She brings the Filipino voice into the foreground, lending her work a poignant perspective in this turn-of-the-twentieth-century tale. Hers is a vivid look into the customs of the Cordilleras and will awaken your respect for the mountain tribes.

Lenny Bugayong’s Color of Sky: growing up Swiss with chocolate brown skin is a lilting collection of short stories told through the eyes of a Filipina born and raised in Switzerland.

Hers is fiction that is honest, as Virginia Woolf might put it.

Click or tap on the cover for more

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Non-Fiction For lovers of non-fiction, try these titles from the Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Caroline S. Hau’s The

Edna Zapanta-Manlapaz’s

Chinese Question: Ethnicity, Nation, and Region in and Beyond the Philippines explores what it means to be Chinese-Filipino, particularly as the twenty-first century begins. She covers cinematic and literary works, from the popular Mano Po films to the TV series, My Bindondo Girl, all the while looking at how Filipinos and Chinese define themselves and each other as China gains global strength. Hers is a studied view of what it means to fall between two Asian cultures, Chinese and Filipino.

Filipino Women Writers in English: Their Story, 1905-2002, is an illuminating glimpse into the best Filipina writers in English throughout the twentieth century. Why did these women write? ZapanataManlapaz asks as she looks into their worlds and what shaped their words. Told in a thoughtful and comprehensive way, it is a great gateway to further reading in the realm of Filipina writing.

Finally, this month, as we examine what it means to be Filipino, find your way into your Philippine identity through these works.

Happy reading.

Literary

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SPAIN

Bravo Filipino! A showcase of Filipino Musicians in France and Spain

Words and photos by Cipriano De Guzmán Jr., Filipino Baritone

F

ilipinos are born with natural talent in music. Almost all Filipinos love to sing whether in the church, parties, gatherings or simply with the family whenever they get together over videoke. The Filipino diaspora brought many health and allied professionals around the world, sharing their hospitality and rich cultural heritage including their

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musicality.

As we celebrate the 123rd Philippine Independence from Spain, let us look at some of the musicians who are proud to identify themselves as Filipinos showcasing their talents in the European continent. They are Spain’s Got Talent Golden-buzzer girl-Dianne Kaye Jacob, Nats Sisma Villaluna and Arnel German, artistic and musical directors of the Barcelona based allFilipino children’s choir Coro Kudyapi, and Paris-based Musical Theatre Actress Charley Magalit.

many challenges and criticisms along the way. She dreams of becoming an international singer with a much wider audience and she is working hard to inch closer and closer to that dream day by day.

“It’s quite hard and tough but unless the fame and success don’t come to you by sheer luck, you have to work a lot and keep grinding until you reach your goals” … says Dianne to aspiring Filipino musicians and artists. Follow Dianne on her official Instagram account : @diannejacobsofficial

DIANNE ICO JACOB

Spain’s Got Talent Golden-Buzzer Girl Dianne Ico Jacob started singing at a young age when she joined their church choir in Barcelona. She then took up theory and piano lessons at Conservatori Liceu for about three years as well as voice lessons under Mar Carrero. Her affiliation with the Bacelona-based Filipino choir Coro Kudyapi and its directors Mr.Arnel German and Nats Sisma Villaluna, furthered her musical training and growth before embarking on a much bigger career platform when she joined and was chosen as Spain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer girl in 2016. Since then, she has performed pop, jazz, and classical music in numerous occasions such as guest artist in ASAP Natin ‘to Rome and as featured artist at the Philippine Independence month virtual celebration at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid.

But success did not knock instantly at her doorstep, she experienced

Musical Theatre Actress and Singer Charley Elizabeth Magalit has been living in Europe for 4 years now. She moved to France last year after finishing her Masters in Musical Theatre with Distinction at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, United Kingdom. She occasionally facilitates workshops for student organizations and works as a Vocal coach. In the Philippines, she studied at the University of the Philippines College of Music and performed in several concerts, recitals, operas and musical theatre plays with professional companies such as Trumpets, Philippine Opera Company, and Upstart and Tanghalang Pilipino (CCP). She also performed internationally with the Opera Society of Hong Kong, Edge n’ Pointe Dance Centre for Ballet in Hong Kong, Disney Cruise Line in the United States & Hong Kong Disneyland. As well as in the United Kingdom, where she performed in two productions namely, “Cat in the Hat” and “Amélie the Musical”.

As a Filipina, she considers being amicable, respectful, resilient, and having a positive outlook in life as some of the qualities that make Filipinos employable in many fields on top of the immense talent that they are naturally born with. She recently performed at the Philippine Embassy in Paris for the National Heritage Month.

“Just keep on going and find your niche, your unique contribution to the

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CHARLEY ELIZABETH MAGALIT

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Music

arts! Embrace your individuality and use it to your advantage” … a piece of advice from Charley to aspiring Filipino musicians and artists. Follow her on social media: IG: @charleyonstage Youtube: Charlene Elizabeth Magalit Coro Kudyapi, an all-Filipino children’s choir based in Barcelona is not just actively performing for the community but showcasing the musicality of second generation Filipinos in Europe.

They won silver diplomas at the 2018 Sing Berlin Choir competition and 2016 Canço Mediterranea Choir Competition as well as bronze at the 6th Canta al Mar Festival Internacional.

The group has performed in Berlin, Lisbon, Calella, Barcelona, Madrid for several concerts, competitions, festivals and an event attended by HRH Prince Sisowath Tesso of Cambodia in 2019.

They regularly sing in three Catholic masses every Sundays at Església de Sant Agustí in Barcelona.

In 2004, then President of Centro Filipino, Sister Paulita Astillero formed Centro Filipino Coro Infantil as an extra-curricular activity for children

of Filipino migrants. Its mission is to teach Philippine culture, language, and history through music to Filipino kids in Barcelona. When Sister Paulita retired and returned to the Philippines in 2014, Mr. Nats Sisma Villaluna and Arnel German took over as the artistic director and musical director. From Centro Filipino Coro Infantil they renamed the group Coro Kudyapi.

Their musical director, Mr. Arnel German is a civil engineer by profession and has been residing in Spain for 15 years now. He took up piano lessons at UST Conservatory of Music Extension Program. The artistic director and general manager of the choir, Mr. Nats Sisma Villaluna, is an English teacher and has been highly active in the activities of the Filipino community in Barcelona having lived in Spain for 17 years. He finished his Masters in International Cooperation at Universitat de Barcelona. As the choir manager, he narrates having experienced many challenges keeping the group intact and afloat.

Currently, they have 36 active members who are mostly children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). The choir was supposed to perform in Rome

CORO KUDYAPI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ARNEL GERMAN

for the 123rd Philippine Independence Celebration but due to COVID-19 restrictions, they cancelled their participation. Future engagements include participation in the opera “La Gata Perduda” at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and an invitation to perform at the Festival Internacional de Musica Iberoamericana de Madrid.

“Having patience, discipline, a positive and cheerful attitude are some of the qualities that we Filipinos possess which we should keep intact to withstand all the challenges of living in a foreign country. We should also be proud of our rich cultural heritage including a close link to the Filipino community which serves as our support group living abroad” … some words of advice from Mr. Nats Sisma Villaluna and Mr. Arnel German.

Follow Coro Kudyapi at their official FB Page: Grupo Kudyapi

Cipriano “Zip” De Guzmán Jr., LPT known as the Filipino Baritone is an international opera singer, professor of voice, theatre, music education, Japanese and Spanish languages based in the Principality of Andorra on top of the Pyrénées between France and Spain. A two-time recipient of Ani Ng Dangal from the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts, he also won in 7 International Vocal Competitions in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, New York, London and Rome. He finished two Masters Degrees in Music; Master en Interpretación d’Ópera at Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona and Masters in Music in Vocal Performance at Elisabeth University of Music, Japan with the Highest Honours. He finished 3 Bachelor’s Degrees in the Philippines, two Cum Laude at University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.

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MANILA, LONDON, PARIS, ROME, MILAN

When worlds mix - a rich kaleidoscope of thoughts and feelings 2nd Gen Filipino siblings on their mixed FilipinoEuropean heritage, upbringing Text by Tania Viarnaud Contributed photos

F

or this issue of the “Roots and Wings” online magazine, we asked a group of secondgeneration Filipino siblings about their mixed Filipino-European heritage and upbringing. Thanks to Armando & Robert, Mariangela & Giulia, Mikhail & Marga, Cristina & Patrizia and Marc, who found time in their busy schedules to reflect on their mixed backgrounds, a rich kaleidoscope of thoughts and feelings has emerged.

We hope you enjoy exploring them as much as we did!

The first topic we investigated was the self, asking our panelists about their experiences growing up in a multicultural family. All fully grown adults today, some with families of their own, there was a resounding appreciation for the value of diversity. However, multi-culturalism is a challenge when there is a need for true inclusion and many struggled with being different from their peers when younger, some more and some less, depending on how international their environment was..

As expressed by Giulia: “Growing up it was sometimes a bit tougher because I didn’t like to draw attention to myself and being different makes you stand out.” Cristina said: “Growing up, I started

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Reader Engagement

appreciating my origins and reached the point of making my differences my strong suit in all aspects of life.” The transformation from outsider into one with privileged insight was best stated

by Marga: “I feel like it is something beautiful as it has allowed me to see the world without boundaries or horizons, and the exposure to different cultures allows me to relate to others easily.”

The question of national identities was never a point of discussion in any of the families. As put by Armando: “My identity is not defined by either of my nationalities. I believe individual life experience plays a bigger role in one’s identity.” Mikhail commented that: “It’s more like the various identities coexist.” However, Giulia does “encourage younger families to do so” and Marga recommends that we “expose [children] as much as possible to both roots and origins.” This can help overcome feelings of “being different”, and for which the family itself is the best support. As put by Mariangela: “There is an unspoken understanding that my

“I believe individual life experience plays a bigger role in one’s identity”

sister is the only person in the world that shares the same cultural background and childhood events as me.”

In connection with friends and colleagues relating to the Filipino in our panelists, according to Robert: “I work in the Philippines, so if anything, Filipino colleagues tend to be more curious about my views on things related to the UK (like for example the Royal Family, the Beatles or Sherlock Holmes)”. This was mirrored by Marc’s comments from London: “The fact is I’m not English and that sets me apart, so whether I’m Danish, French or Filipino makes no difference to most of them.” We see that those who are truly interested in enriching their knowledge, take the opportunity to learn from those who are different from them.

We asked our panelists what they like most about the Philippines and many recognised their innate love for Filipino food from mango and prawns to Jollibee sweet spaghetti sauce, lumpia, pastilles de leche and bistek

Tagalog. The other shared Filipino love is for social gatherings, to spend time enjoying both friends and family (while eating good food).

The question whether the slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is true, ignited a deep longing for the beautiful beaches and delicious food, massages, heightened by the warm weather and even warmer people, “but sometimes the family gets overprotective of you because you are a 'foreigner', adds Cristina. As summarized by Patrizia: “Yes. Filipinos are very friendly people; they like to have fun,” and Mariangela emphasizes this point with “No one throws a party like a Filipino!”

The union of Philippine and European culture has given birth to a generation of open and insightful young people, privileged to be born in interesting and distinct cultures. They gladly acknowledge their roots; clearly understand the challenges but feel that the various paths they take in life is what will ultimately define them.

Armando Manalo

Robert Manalo

Works in the banking industry in Manila.

He is 33 years old, half English and half Filipino. English is his first language, but he also understands some Tagalog. As soon as travel restrictions are lifted, you are likely to find him enjoying the inspiring and underrated natural beauty of the Philippines. “People would say that my most Filipino trait is my sense of time.”

Works in commercial banking in Makati and finds that his commute to and from work is more eventful than anything he has experienced in other countries. He is 31 years old, half English and half Filipino.

English is his first language, but he also understands some Tagalog and French.

You are most likely to find him playing video games and chess or watching a movie. “The Filipino in me enjoys Jollibee sweet spaghetti sauce.”

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Giulia

Marga Schemm

Giulia Giuliani works in the charity sector in London. She is 38 years old, half Italian and half Filipino. She speaks Italian, English, German and Spanish (but no Tagalog). You are most likely to find her involved in personal development through yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, sudoku, reading, hiking and, most, recently roller skating. “The most Filipino thing about me is that I sometimes raise my eyebrows to say yes.”

Works in fashion in Paris. She is 31 years old, half Swiss and half Filipino. She speaks English, German and Italian as well as some French and Spanish. She also understands a little Tagalog. You are most likely to find her enjoying music and the arts or spending time in nature – she always looks forward to enjoying every single visit back to the Pinas and the incredible nature on offer there. “The most Filipino things about me are my love for sharing important moments with friends and family, and my love for food.”

Mariangela Mariangela Giuliani works in marketing in London. She is 40 years old, half Italian and half Filipino. She speaks Italian and English as well as some French, Japanese and Korean (but no Tagalog). You are most likely to find her cooking from scratch and volunteering for a local, community-led organic vegetable buying cooperative.

“The most Filipino thing about me is that I cook steamed rice to perfection.”

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Cristina Spagnolo works for the United Nations in Rome, in international development. She is 38 years old, a quarter Lebanese, a quarter Italian and half Filipino. She speaks English, Italian and French and understands a little tsismis.

You are most likely to find her seeking calm through yoga, happiness through food and travelling to faraway lands for energy and excitement. Occasionally, she might be taking a random course such as Arabic lessons or African dances. “The Filipino things about me are: having Maria added at the beginning of my name; love for food and a good massage; having lots of cousins who although living in other countries I feel close to.

Mikhail Schemm works in the culture, events and music industry. He has just moved from Manila to Rome. He is 34 years old, half Swiss and half Filipino. He speaks English, German and Italian as well as some French, Spanish and Tagalog.

You are most likely to find him either indulging in his passion for culture and music or outdoors, bouldering, climbing and trekking. Mikhail asks us all: What is it to be truly Filipino? when asked what is Filipino about him

Patrizia Spagnolo works for the United Nations in Rome, as a budget officer.

She is 34 years old, a quarter Lebanese, a quarter Italian and half Filipino. She speaks English, Italian and French and understands a little Tagalog. You are most likely to find her travelling or diving / playing tennis. “Filipinos are a very religious people and the faith I have and my beliefs have been passed on to me, thanks to my Filipino side.”

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Marc Viarnaud works in strategy and finance in London. He is 38 years old, a quarter Danish, a quarter Filipino and half French. He speaks English, Italian and French and uses a few Tagalog expressions like ropero and malikot at home. You are most likely to find him playing football, analyzing numbers or reading up on the latest scientific studies.“The most Filipino things about me are my sense of family, and it takes me ages to grow a beard.”

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Tania Viarnaud works in the banking industry in Milan, specializing in strategy and communication. She is 40 years old, a quarter Danish, a quarter Filipino and half French. She speaks English, Italian and French but only knows a few words in Tagalog. It’s a mystery where you are likely to find her as the lockdowns have made her question all of her hobbies except for running and reading, but not at the same time. “The most Filipino things about me are my strong family ties and my optimism.

MANILA

‘Ako ay Pilipino’ echoes from the US & PH-based golden jubilarians Reader Engagement

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Text collated by Loree Cruz-Mante Photos by Rudy Padernal, Mel Manahan-Reyes

T

he Filipina is a study in contradiction: garbed in jeans and not in a Maria Clara, speaking and writing in English and not in Filipino, equally enjoying pizza and hamburgers alongside pancit and longanisa, modern in outlook yet deeply demure and old-school. Therein lies the beauty of this enigma because at the core is a value system that is distinctly Pilipino and yet wonderfully chiselled to imbibe the nuances of an adopted culture.

The definition of the “ako” identity may appear muddled, especially for those who have left and whose sense of self is often stirred mainly by occasional pilgrimages to home. But there is no conflict in definition for at the base is a storehouse of deeply-rooted values and beliefs, altered perhaps by foreign influences but essentially descriptive of memories of a life left behind.

“I am a Filipina who lives away from my homeland, but who treasures the culture and values that made me who I am today.” - Nini Oliveros-Legaspi, California, USA “I am a Filipina grateful for the gift of the Christian faith and for the beautiful tapestry of races and cultures blended in making me God-centered, strong yet resilient, and determined to contribute to making this world a better place for all generations to come.” - Teresa Campos-Singson, California, USA “I’ve been away for 44 years but the sight, sound and smell of my childhood and growing-up years will always leave a huge dent in my heart. I still long for the motherland.” - Mel Manahan-Reyes, California, USA Every “ako” desires a return to where it all began.

The longing for the place where life first began its stirrings remains a constant memory and an unceasing hope.

“Having been away from home for quite some time now made me realize how much I miss my family. I miss the very simple way of life spent on the farm, passing the time just eating butong pakwan as we reminisce times spent with our parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I miss the food prepared from our harvest—from rice to fish, chicken and pork to vegetables like kangkong, okra, talong, talbos ng kamote and fruits like santol, mangga, papaya, suha, chico, rambutan, atis, and mais.” - Suzette Coronel-Rysz, New

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Jersey, USA “A Filipina’s essence never changes wherever she goes. I have been blessed with 27 years of living in the U.S. I realize how challenging it was to work in an international multi-cultural organization. What truly encouraged and strengthened me were the basic work ethics and positive interpersonal relationships my parents ingrained in me. These Filipino values included being mapagpasalamat (grateful), matatag (stable), masigasig (enthusiastic), mapagmalasakit (caring) and magalang (polite) and which I have happily passed on to my family. A fulfilling life of retirement where family is best, praying and staying together and making us even closer. My friends fondly call me manan my two beautiful granddaughters Molly and Alli have made my life more meaningful. We continue our Filipino customs and traditions.

Adobong manok, sinigang na baboy, paksiw na bangus, pancit bihon and lumpia are must-haves in our dinner table. Tracing my roots and remembering my childhood evoke an ardent yearning to return home to my beloved country. My heart will forever be Filipino. And I am truly proud to be one.” - Maria Cristina Francisco-Palarca, Virginia, USA “LIFE is a circle of happiness, sadness, brokenness, kindness, hard times and good times. In all these seasons, I kept the faith that good times were on their way. These times changed me in a way that I could never go back to the person I once was because I am now stronger, tougher and certainly kinder. Today, I seize my truth that I’m able to go where I couldn’t go on my own before. I celebrate every day . . . and breathe. - Nini Lee-James, Louisiana, USA. Perhaps, there is no need for memories because life continues to bind us all, wherever we are.

“I am a Filipina who, like no other, fancies eating here, there and everywhere. Two of my Pinoy foodie favorites are kare kare with its nutty taste, a tinge of sweetness and loads of vegetables, and the Bicol ihaw tasty creamed coconut chicken called “Tinutungan.”

Meals equate fellowship and bonding among family, friends and officemates. Togetherness simply chains us—pagbibigkis.” - Malou Zapata-Delgado, Metro Manila, Philippines. No matter how far we roam, the roots of being who we are will always remain deeply Pilipino. The wings that spring from them are precisely meant to carry us to different corners of the world, for what are roots that do not bring forth the desire to fly? So sino ako? Ako ay Pilipino.

AUSTRIA

My Mother’s Story: Faustina Verdillio, pioneering Filipina nurse in Austria Words & photos by Cynthia Kurleto

I

t was the early 70’s when my mother Faustina Verdillio, born and raised a Filipina, landed in Vienna, Austria. She had just received her diploma in nursing and through a stroke of fate had the opportunity to work abroad. The small country of Austria tried to solve their shortage in medical staff by contracting nurses from the Philippines.

Her best friend had enrolled on to the list of wishful participants for the job abroad and added Faustina’s name, too, apparently without asking. She had done so to feel less lonely, should she get picked, which she didn’t, but as fate goes, my mother did. And that is how she became one of the first thirty Filipino nurses in Vienna, for which later in life she received a plaque of appreciation from the Austrian government.

I vividly remember tales of her first experiences in this new place. Her first visit to the drug store to buy what she thought was shampoo turned out to be a bath cleaner (“it smelled of lemon”). She was amazed that one restaurant portion could feed two of her friends and herself. When they would chit chat excitedly on the public transport (“floors so clean one could sleep on”) they were reprimanded by other passengers to be more quiet. The novelty of snow, including the excitement of posing with it for pictures to send back home wore off quickly when she realized it was going to be a long winter.

The first time I remember listening to my grandfather’s voice was on cassette tape. Those were messages recorded in hour-long sessions, from one living room to another and sent along with whoever was traveling in that direction. That’s the same way I got my first taste of the best mangoes in the world - their vibrant yellow and sweet smell amazed me.

When relatives brought these little treasures in their suitcases, numbers and heads were counted, often time a single fruit split between two. My mother

missed her Filipino cuisine as there wasn’t a single Asian supermarket in the country, just yet. You can imagine how happy she was when she found out about this guy who came by the nurse’s boarding house once a week to sell the Asian goods he imported.

Fritz had trouble finding customers who shared his love for all things Asian and came up with the clever plan of catering his goods directly to the people he knew would appreciate them. He quickly made friends and ended up staying after work to play Mahjong the game nurses had taught him. And that started the story of how my parents met and how my mother settled in Austria for good. My father, always having been quite the adventurer, went on to proudly show my mother the rest of Europe, which they explored by van. Something he continued to do for every Filipino travel group that was interested and whenever there was a free seat, I came along for the ride.

It might seem ironic, after the effort my mother invested to establish a new home abroad, I moved back to Manila at age twenty and then on to Peru at age thirty, before settling in Vienna. I have come to accept my love for adventure. My ancestor must’ve stood at the edge of the water on their little island, one of the 7000 islands the country is comprised of and followed their sense of adventure. That pulse still flows through my veins today. I’m very proud to be a Pinay in Europe. Mabuhay!

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SWITZERLAND

Hyphenated identities With about five decades of Filipino migration history to Europe and over a century to the United States, today’s second and third generation Euro-Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, Filipino-Canadians, and other mixed Filipino identities find the use of hyphen by default to introduce themselves.

Similarly, countless Filipinos work and live overseas as diplomats or expatriates, raising families away from home. Learn how these children grow up equipped with grit and flair to pass the tests of being Filipino abroad, mestiza or mestizo. BvA

Raya Herrera New Jersey, USA

US-born Filipino-American, fresh International Studies graduate Raya S. Herrera writes: Growing up as a Filipino-American, I have always known the history of my immigrant parents and still identified ourselves as Filipinos. But how connected to our Filipino culture was I actually? I did not speak Tagalog and only understand a few words. However, there were many times where I did not feel “Filipino” enough.

But, I realized that in order to feel connected to one’s culture, you have to find the right hobbies and have the genuine interest to learn. In my case, I pursued an International Studies Major and joined cultural clubs like “Barkada” to immerse in my Filipino heritage. Together we got to learn Tagalog, dance the Tinikling, understand Filipino history and pursued our interest in Filipino pop culture. By joining these communities, my peers helped me grow into a more well-rounded person and find my own identity as an Asian-American minority, a Filipino.

Anton Jean and Justin Paul Widmer-Fortuna Alsace, France

Anton and Justin, born twins to Filipina lyric soprano Armela Fortuna and Swiss-French classical pianist cum surgical dentist father. The family has taken up residence in the region of Alsace, France. The twins are budding musicians, and sports buffs well-grounded in fashion, film, travelling, adventures, and friends.

So how does French mix with Tagalog? Quite naturally. Follow them on Instagram @fortunatwinofficial account.

WATCH VIDEO

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Marjorie Bohlmann Bremen, Germany

A Media Science student at University of Bremen, Marjorie considers herself blessed to have a Filipina mom who came to Germany in the 80s and there met her father. She writes: Even though we lived in Germany, we spent as much time as we could with my family in the Philippines – I was flying long distance before I even learned to walk.

My childhood memories smell like tropical flowers, salt water and durian; and although I have not de-

veloped a taste for the fruit itself, it always reminds me of happy times. Growing up as a sort of in-betweener has not always been easy, but any challenges are offset thousandfold by how rich my life has been by virtue of all the experiences my parents have been able to share with me. I still love to travel and like to think that my upbringing has taught me to be open and curious about different cultures, languages, and customs.

Anton Miguel De Vera Vienna, Austria

Since I grew up in a Filipino family, it has always been a given to introduce myself as a “Filipino”. Such distinction was so obvious for me, and others by skin and on paper. I grew up in various countries with people my age who were linguistically and culturally distant from being “Filipino”. As a child, I had to learn how to socialize with other children in Swedish and even then, adapting to their language was not enough to fully identify myself as one of them. Similarly, adapting was necessary during my stay in the Philippines as an adolescent. I may look and speak like a Filipino and yet, I know that I am not like one of the many who for their entire lives were born and raised in the Philippines like those who I befriended in my local com-

munity. Despite all that, I still choose to identify myself as a Filipino. The values of being a Filipino are deeply rooted in my Filipino family and friends.

Liberally speaking, they formed my understanding of what it means to be a Filipino: a person who explores and defines themselves in new ways while remembering where they came from with a sense of pride and belonging. Anton is @LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-miguel-devera-0122971b2

Icie Mondragon-Mingels Iloilo, Philippines

Eight-year-old Jessica ‘Icie’ Mondragon Mingels is a Filipino-Dutch little singing Diva, young dreamer, loving daughter, and kindhearted child.

Born and raised in Miagao, Iloilo from parents Janice Mondragon and Matheus Mingels.

Icie loves to swim, sing, dance, and play. She attends Doane Christian Fellowship Academy, has been a consistent honour student, and elected class leader. Apart from winning several music and talent competitions, she volunteers for the foundation HELP FILIPINO CHILDREN. Watch Icie showcase her talents.

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GERMANY

The Philippines at the Linden-Museum Stuttgart, Germany

IN DECEMBER 2015, Prof. Dr. Leah Enkiwe Abayao with Dr. Georg Noack of Linden-Museum, Stuttgart presented some Philippine Cordilleran collections. Invited Philippine communities in Stuttgart area witnessed for the first time indigenous objects outside their origin.

In 1995 the Ifugao rice terraces was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Aside from objects of ritual purposes presented on the occasion, the story behind the existence and acquisition of the objects now placed into exhibit revealed a more interesting and informative contribution to the public about the quite unknown practices of the inhabitants of the Kordillera region. Rice is a staple food for the Filipinos and growing it on terraces under distinct and specific ritual is a challenge for the youth of modern times.

The Linden-Museum highly appreciates echoes, interpretations and discussions pertaining to the exhibited objects and would consider publication of comments and views on museum website.

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MANILA

I

t was the fourth leg of the yearlong 2019 Foreign Service Entrance Exams, a daylong Psychological Evaluation with one half-hour round with a Psychologist. It was the only question from that entire ordeal I remember: “What makes a Good Filipino.” As a Christian, we understand “Good” as something tied to the nature of God and our role as His image-bearers. “Only God is Good” Jesus Himself once said; goodness for humans, I imagine, is less something you are than something you participate in.

A Good Filipino is a Filipino who aligns with and participates in the reality of their moral obligations.

As for being a Good Filipino— well, that was the difficult part.

Must a Filipino be Christian, or Muslim, or Pagan? Must they be born here? Must their parents? Is it more Filipino to be browner than fair, more provincial than urbane, more Chinito than Mestizo? Some

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What Makes a Good Filipino?

Text and artwork by Marthy Angue First published on What Magazine, March 2021, as an interview about “Filipinas: Islands Abridged,” an interactive map of the Philippines.

will cry “Not Suits but Barongs!” and others will counter “Colonial Mentality! Bahags, not Barongs!”

Being graded – presumably – for our ability to feign serenity, I gave the interviewer the simplest

answer I could live with. The question lingered in the back of my head though. I was taking an exam to be a Filipino Diplomat. I was preparing to represent the Filipino People to the world. I needed that question answered just in case I pass the examination.

I passed the examination by the Grace of God. By the time I learned though, it was 2020 and the Plague has ground the gears of government into a pace even slower than usual. It would be a full year until our work actually began. Just as well: there was still the matter of the question.

By that point, the question had evolved into a general curiosity about the country. I was involved with setting up the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the MacArthur Landings in Palo, Leyte back in 2019 and that had been an incredibly eye-opening experience: all those local customs and delicacies, historic sites and

shrines of pilgrimage. Palo, Leyte wasn’t Manila or Cebu or Davao or Baguio but it was most certainly Filipino. Surely Abra has towns like that. Surely Zamboanga Sibugay has towns like that. Given that Lockdown gave me day after day after day of identically sunless, windless nothing, I figured that it wouldn’t hurt to master my Philippine geography. Given my background as a graphic designer, I decided to make infographics out of what I was learning.

The first infographic I made was a series of bar graphs comparing how large the Philippine regions were compared to each other. When the bar graphs began feeling a bit boring, I decided to cut the bars up into squares and arrange them into shapes that resembled their real-world borders. When static images of shapes began feeling boring, I decided to lay them out as grassy terrain tiles on a gamemaking tool called RPG Maker MV. Then I started putting mountains on the map. Then plants. Then paths that corresponded to major highways and sea ways. Then I marked provincial capitals with tiny animated town markers. Then I thought maybe you could start entering the towns too…

Full disclosure, I didn’t get to do as much studying as I probably should have. There must be easier, faster, more

efficient ways to memorize the chief exports of Bicol Region than having to design pixel-art pili nuts and programming a short informational skit around them. It probably still counted as research though. At least I think I was starting to answer the question.

“What makes a Good Filipino?”

We have 7,640 islands and even more answers to that question.

In my home province of Cavite, a Good Filipino remembers the heroic sacrifice and struggle for freedom in the War for Philippine Independence while fully accepting the crass humanity and moral failures of many of its central figures. In Batanes, Catanduanes, and Leyte, a Good Filipino is one who is mindful of the rising challenge of Climate Change and who pursues to face it through good urban planning, sustainable energy, and natural conservation. In Cotabato, a Good Filipino helps preserve the ancient T’boli art of T’nalak weaving and in Apayao, a Good Filipino secures the rights of indigenous peoples to their homelands. On the other hand, these aren’t supposed to be one answer per island or region or ethnic group. These are ALL facets of what makes a Good Filipino. These are the stories and treasures and values we could be sharing if only we were reminded that they exist. There are so many ways to be a Good Filipino that a two minute answer in a day-long test was never going to be enough.

To answer it – to truly, truly, truly answer it – maybe I could illustrate everything that made the

Philippines good.

Sometime last year, when all of time had dissolved into a haze of anxious fatigue, I found myself with something new. It was a map of the Philippines – each of the 3000 tiles being 100km2 of land— but it was also a working demo of a game where all you do is wander around and learn things. Realizing that I just created a game that summarized everything I ever wanted to do in life, I uploaded it free for everyone to check out.

When people started realizing they can use it to teach their kids Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) while in quarantine, I made a version of the game map in Filipino.

Is that an answer to the question? I’d like to think it is. I’d like to think making art inspired by Japanese video games, American internet culture, and European museums can count as being a Good Filipino. In any case, given that the game only has five out of our 81 provinces explorable, it’s an answer I’ve barely begun to give. I think it’s an important question though: “What makes a Good Filipino.” As a game designer, writer, or diplomat, I’m fine figuring that one out for the rest of my life.

Filipinas: Islands Abridged is playable now at martholemylabs. it.io/Filipinas

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UNITED KINGDOM

First Filipina elected Councillor of Stevenage, Hertfordshire UK Text & photos by Myla Arceno Roots & Wings congratulates frequent guest writer NHS Physiotherapist Myla Arceno, MCSP first elected Filipino Councillor of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) of the United Kingdom. What brought Myla to public service?

I am grateful for this gift and opportunity to serve my community in Stevenage. I am fortunate in many ways. My upbringing in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental well equipped me with a steadfast faith, quality education, good values, training in public service at a young age and love for my ‘kasimanwa’ (countrymen) until now.

Stevenage and its people are always special to me. I came in 2003 and have lived here since with my family. For me this is home. The community, colleagues in National Health Service, church, school, council, and diverse group are always there for me, for my family and friends. I am honoured to have been chosen by the Labour and Co-operative Party and be elected by the residents of Martins Wood as Councillor of Stevenage for the next 3 years.

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Public Service

volunteers were all there for me.

The organisations and groups I am affiliated with, have been supportive throughout, not only in the campaign trail. Special thanks goes to the unity and support of the amazing Filipino British Community of Stevenage and friends, the Philippine Theatre UK (PTUK), European Network of Filipino Diaspora ( ENFID), One Philippines newsmagazine, United Kapiznon, Stevenage Filipino Dancers , Barrio Fiesta in Hertfordshire, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Stevenage World Forum, Barkada ni Maria rosary group and other various diverse groups in Stevenage.

As elected Councillor, I strive to serve my community well to the best of my abilities. I hope to represent the residents effectively, no matter what colour of politics they are. Public service has no bounds in colour and politics. We are all equal and fair.

May I be guided with wisdom in every decision and task before me. Meanwhile I continue to work as physiotherapist in our NHS, hoping to bring my expertise to my community. I place all in God’s hands and give my best. Connect with Myla Arceno on FB https:// www.facebook.com/martinswoodcand or visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/