Issuu

Filipino Magazine in Europe

December 2021 — January 2022 Volume 12 Issue 1

Winter’s Child

‘T

is the season to celebrate Roots & Wings 12th Christmas Christmas and New Year celebrations for Filipinos are like no other. They’re the grandest, longest fiestas kindled by traditions starting from the ‘ber months’ to the Simbang Gabi and Noche Buena. Homes, malls, churches, and streets are lavishly decorated with parols and fairy lights, nonstop Christmas caroling and indulging in puto bumbong, bibingka and perhaps lechon. At the heart of this celebration is a child, the birth of Jesus Christ. No wonder, Christmas is best seen from the eyes of a child. Resonate for a moment with the drawings of 6-year-old Emma’s flying Ben & Holly, or 9-year-old Zivi’s parol, fried banana and giniling. Ours is a festive celebration made merrier by childlike joy and giving. What makes this issue special is the launch of Rawmags Social Entrepreneurship, inviting you to join us support young Filipinos in the Philippines acquire trade skills or assist the most affected in time of calamities. To cap our 12th year of volunteer publication is the grand recognition of Roots & Wings as Best Magazine of 2021 CFO Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Our gratitude and best wishes to the CFO, Rawmags writers, editors, partners, and readers for a strong rebound in health, economics and community celebrations in 2022. Manigong bagong taon!

Reader Engagement from Emma de los Santos, 6 years old with autism spectrum, California, USA

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 MANAGER

Anton Miguel D. De Vera

Lily C. Fen

SOCMED AUSTRIA

LITERARY / BUREAU EDITOR SWITZERLAND

Gloria Hernandez Grejalde

Aimee Alado -Blake

Cipriano “Zip” De Guzmán

Donna Patricia Manio

Apiong Bagares

BUREAU EDITOR UNITED KINGDOM

BUREAU EDITOR ANDORRA

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

DESIGN

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR PHILIPPINES

Lyndy Bagares

Jennifer Fergesen

WEB EDITOR NORWAY

BUREAU EDITOR ICELAND

Katrina Larida BUREAU EDITOR SWEDEN

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BUREAU EDITOR RUSSIA FOREIGN RELATIONS

Feedback Page

Would you like to join our Rawmags Team?

We are open to your feedback. Email rawmags.betsy@gmail.com or message us on facebook.

We are searching for volunteer Bureau Editors for Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Turkey. Connect with us today.

Rawmags.com or follow us on social media: Instagram: @Rawmags Twitter: @rawmags Facebook: @rawmags you tube: @rawmags linkedin/rawmags

www.rawmags.com

Roots&Wings Roots&Wings Filipino Magazine in Europe

Published by Rachel Publishing Co. Stockholm, Sweden / St Gallen, Switzerland 2009-2022

Editorial Team

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO SKIP TO PAGE

Contents FEATURE Dreaming of a white Christmas / p6 Christmas in Vienna: Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz /p8 AURORA BOREALIS: A Northern Lights Hobby /p10 Have a Merry and Inclusive Christmas /p12

ART Eve’s Art /p15 Discovering Art Styles with Sandra Torrijos, Germany-based Filipina artist /p17

BUSINESS Filipina serial entrepreneur brings Filipino food to the Swedish table /p20 A Conversation with a Creative Entrepreneur /p22

CULTURE Home for Christmas / p24 Of Balikbayan boxes, culture, and memories /p26

FILM Jhett Tolentino: Life is what you make it /p28 “Sine Halaga” Film Festival, A Showcase of Films Telling Stories of Filipino Culture and Values /p30

LITERARY An Ode to St. Nick /p33 This Christmas I Hope /p34

DIRECTORY /p35 SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Roots & Wings pays forward with Social Entrepreneurship /p38

TEAM Farewell /p39

Our Team is proud to be recognized in this significant 12-year journey of consistent magazine publications by a volunteer professional and dedicated team of journalists, writers, contributors, editors, web and magazine designers who deliver an engaging bi-monthly publication that enriches, inspires and keeps Filipino art, business, community, customs, foreign affairs, literature, music, sports and traditions alive among our million-strong Euro-Filipinos and the next generations. Mabuhay ang Pilipino sa Europa! Mabuhay ang CFO! Photo Credits: Commission on Filipinos Overseas See less

ABOUT THE COVER

Winter’s Child Skyler from Sweden on a visit to Riga, Latvia Filipino-Scandinavian 2 year old Skyler is easily mesmerized by snow and bubbles, pictured here on a cold, snowy day in the old town of Vecriga in Riga, Latvia. In Sweden, we celebrate Christmas with family and share home-cooked Christmas fare of ham, Swedish meatballs, pickled herring, sausage, mulled wine, and gingerbread cookies to name a few! We live on an island in the Stockholm archipelago, surrounded by beautiful nature.

Photo by Vanessa Laestander Sweden 5

SWITZERLAND

Dreaming of a white Christmas Photos and Text by David and Rica Abbott Christmas is our favourite time of year. Every Christmas is special. It’s the season of love and holiday cheer. This year, we are celebrating Christmas in Switzerland for the

Feature

first time in 10 years. We always have very fond memories of alpine villages during winter. And this is year we will be in Champery. Champery is small village in the canton of Valais. It’s a gateway to the Portes du Soleil skiing area.

The majestic Dent du Midi and Dents Blanches mountain ranges tower above the village. It’s a great place for long winter nights . We look forward to long winter walks, vin chaud, and having family and friends visiting.

PHOTO BY DAVID ABBOTT

Feature

AUSTRIA

Christmas in Vienna: Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz

The Wiener Christkindlmarkt Am Rathausplatz

Text & images by Anton Miguel De Vera

hristmas is coming, the bells are ringing, and the city of Vienna and its people are certainly aware of it. Grand Christmas decor can be found in almost every curve of Ringstrasse, with lights hanging on every tree, and impressive swinging ornaments, glistening as you pass by. Following this decorative path of Ringstrasse, you may find yourself at the most festive event at one of Vienna’s annual landmarks in front of the Rathaus: the Viennese Christmas Mar-

Feature

ket (in German: der Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz), one of the numerous but also the biggest Christmas market you can find in Vienna. From the very entrance of the market arched a welcome sign greeting visitors “Frohe Weihnachten” or Merry Christmas in English. As you enter, you can find dozens of stalls filled with either Christmas-themed goods and products such as ornaments and winter clothing, or tasty food with a twist of Viennese in it—all of which were mouth-watering. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the Wiener Weihnachtsmarkt am

The Vienna Sausage Hot Dog stall at the Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz

Rathausplatz after not being able to visit last year due to the pandemic lockdown. Things certainly have changed in the past year, but the Christmas market has not changed one bit in terms of creating a festive environment in Vienna. The best part of my visit this 2021 in the Wiener Weihnachtsmarkt to me was indeed, food. With almost every corner of the market, it was almost impossible not to encounter a food stand that might attract you. I indulged myself with some Vienna Sausage Hot Dog and I had a few bites of Raclette cheese spread on a piece of bread. Afterwards, I had a warm mug of red Glühwein, a spiced mulled wine served mostly during Christmas which is arguably, a MUST to drink when visiting the Viennese Christmas market) as it adds this festive and cozy feeling. To top it all off, I had sugar-coated peanuts to soothe my sweet tooth. Adding all of it up, I only spent under 20 €!

A stall filled with various glass-blown ornaments for sale at the Wiener Christkindlmarkt Am Rathausplatz

Not too bad, for a full-course meal with a variety of choices. Another thing that stood out to me was the various stalls showcasing glass-blown ornaments for sale. I thought that they were beautiful to look at as they sparkle from the reflection of the surrounding Christmas lights. You end up staring at them for a long time, feeling mesmerized in a child-like wonder.

Feature

NORWAY

AURORA BOREALIS: A Northern Lights Hobby Text & images by Joseph B. Bantolo

came to Kirkenes, Norway 20 years ago, late spring of April 2002 when the midnight sun was starting to shine the entire day. We lived in a rented apartment beside the hospital where my wife, a nurse who came three years earlier, works. Our living room has two glass walls looking out to “Bøkfjord.” My first six weeks were amazing and challenging, as if I was on another planet where the sun never sets, with 24-hour daylight. Then came wintertime - three months of darkness and freezing cold. I could not forget my first winter out in the snow, minus 15-degree clear winter skies on a November night, when the Aurora Borealis appeared. Goosebumps enveloped my whole body from the intensity and brilliance. I was magnetized and frozen on my feet, at the same time excited that this curtain of wonderful green lights waving above me so magically are made by a Heavenly Creator. I thought then how this wonderful scene could reach the world. I researched about the northern lights and dreamed to take pictures of this phenomenon. In mid-December 2006, I took my first shots of the Auroras using a DSLR camera, Nikon D70. I was enormously proud to have captured them. It drove my interest to learn the best time to hunt for the lights considering weather, temperature, and phases of the moon. 10

Business

Did you know that they are more active before and after a full moon? Somehow, I had this magical connection that “tonight, Aurora will appear.” But it could be challenging and time consuming. The Arctic regions of the Nordic countries, Finland, Norway, north Sweden, Iceland, parts of Siberia, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and the south pole are the best places to hunt and view them. Friends visiting us have been lucky because the Aurora appeared right above our home. When they stepped out, it was there waving at them. The former Philippine Ambassador to Norway was on an official exit visit and spent her winter experience hunting the famous northern lights. Recently, a group of 24 pilgrims from Oslo and another from Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila visited Kirkenes and were amazed to experience before their eyes how the lights danced and changed colours from green, to red, to yellow, and purple. Best Northern Lights spots in Norway The counties of Norland, Troms, Finnmark and Svalbard or Longyearbyen are the best places in Norway to hunt the northern lights. Kirkenes is a small town on the boundaries of Norway, Finland and Russia. In Finnmark the towns of Alta, Kautokeino, Karasjokk, Hammerfest and Kirkenes are the most visited places to hunt and see the northern lights. Kirkenes, an old mining town from the early 1900s is a melting pot of

FIRST CAPTURE of the Aurora Borealis on 4 November 2006. Experience the power of nature raised into the heavens. Green rainbows of waving curtains over Bøkfjord and Jakobsness. —JOSEPH B. BANTOLO

east Finnmark because different people meet here and interact with each other. Kirkenes has an international airport, and the last port of destination of the famous Hurtigruten coastal cruise travel, a six-day tour along the coastal towns of Norway from Bergen in the south crossing through the Arctic Circle to the northeast town of Kirkenes with a cruise ship. In wintertime there is a possibility to view the auroras right on the deck of the ship while sailing along the coastal channels and fjords. Arctic Nordic Adventures Winter activities are mostly derived from the traditional culture of the Sami people: dog or reindeer sledge, ice fishing, skiing and winter fireball in the wild while viewing the auroras. In the winter cottage adventure, you can experience the native winter bath, “dampbad”, a sauna where the water in the pool is heated but outside there is an open space. People soak in the pool then run or roll over the snow and back to the pool. Some exchange stories and drink wine or beer while viewing the auroras. Aside from traditional skiing

and outing we also have the modernized way to travel through ice and snow by using the snowmobile. From February until April people are more active because the sun begins to appear again after almost two months of total darkness. Interested in the Aurora Borealis? For Filipinos or anyone who would like to experience and hunt the northern lights, the best months and times are between the last week of September and last week of March. The weather is a principal factor in viewing and hunting the auroras. If the weather does not cooperate, we travel and outside Kirkenes to find suitable clear skies. The temperature could be incredibly challenging because it drops fast down to minus 25 degrees or more during the hunting time. We start around 6:00 pm up to midnight, transportation is sometimes necessary, and proper warm clothing a must. It takes about two hours to properly experience the excitement as long as there is a strong solar CME (corona mass ejection). Thank you, and please enjoy my photos.

Join my FB group

THE PINOY AURORA HUNTERS CLUB - NORWAY For group tour, arctic Nordic adventures, connect here.

VIPKIRKENES For accommodation, check out the Thon and Scandic Hotels, and also smaller budget hotels. The Kirkenes Snow hotel is a good alternative. Here’s a Filipino-owned restaurant

BANGKOK RESTAURANT KIRKENES This hobby has become a passion for me, for life, in my advocacy to connect people around the globe through the Aurora Borealis. For information on how to come and visit the Arctic regions of the Nordic countries, connect with me on https://www. facebook.com/JBoreales2015/ or https://www.facebook.com/ groups/582378063023986.

Feature

The colourful Christmas Star of Manila is hanging on my door. The last time we visited our relatives in the Philippines in December 2019/January 2020. Most of them live in Manila. It was the first time I saw so many and so colourful Christmas lights. Adrian Wetzlmaier, 8 years Austria

By Ralph Chan Illustrations by Adrian Wetzlmaier, 8 and Chili Ada, 11

AUSTRIA

Have a Merry and Inclusive Christmas 12

Feature

hristmas is here, a time to gather with loved ones and to celebrate. A season that many of us look forward to, especially children. Families visit the Christmas markets, parents drink a punch, children bake vanilla crescents. Many people enjoy this season, but not all. For example, people who suffer from mental disorders such as social anxiety, depression, or panic attacks. The Christmas season can be a real source of stress and worry for people with care responsibilities or mobility restrictions. At Christmas parties, we often forget to pay attention to the needs of people with disabilities (PWD), mental health problems or addictions. How can we make the Christmas season but also Christmas celebrations for everyone inclusive? This is a question that we Filipinos do not deal with, although we like to celebrate. Perhaps this is because having a disability or mental impairment is still taboo and, for some, even shameful. This article aims to shed some light on how to make the Christmas season and Christmas celebrations more inclusive for everyone. Inclusion is a process

The term inclusion describes a state of diversity. It means creating an environment that is inclusive for all and where all people have equal rights. Inclusion means belongingness, i.e., society adapts to people’s needs and not the other way around. This is often confused with the term integration, which is more popularly known and therefore more used. The difference is that integration is a process of growing together. Individuals or groups adapt to the majority. In contrast, inclusion responds positively to diversity and people’s needs. All people are included and treated equally, regardless of religion, ethnicity, disability, culture, etc. Ultimately, the question of inclusion is about identifying and removing personal and social barriers to improve the presence and participation of all people in particular those at risk and marginalized. Inclusive Christmas for people with disabilities and mental health problems How do we interact in a more inclusive way? The first step is to be present and allow everyone to participate in social life. Physical barriers should be avoided as much as possible. Rooms and locations should be designed as barrier-free and open. PWDs are meant to receive support, but without infantilizing them, i.e., helping in a needs-oriented manner. For example, if a wheelchair-bound guest does not have enough freedom of movement at a Christmas party, he often stays in the same place and only talks to the person sitting next to him. It should therefore be ensured that a person in a wheelchair can comfortably fit under the table. This improves their experience and helps them to feel included in conversations. With regard to a

THE INCLUSIVE CHECKLIST • Encourage sharing traditions with others • A multicultural festival • Gift exchange should be optional • "Make it possible not to come without judgment • Enjoy a variety of dishes • Choose a diverse music playlist • Offer alcohol alternatives • Bring families with you

visit to the Christmas market, this means that PWDs should have the opportunity to visit it without worrying about built-in barriers and to take part in all activities. To do this, however, the activities must also be designed according to the needs. For people with physical disability who cannot move without aids, the organizers should find ways to enable them to participate. In this case, inclusion does not mean setting up an extra group or extra activities only for them, but rather that they can do the same things together with people without disabilities. Some people struggle with mental health problems or addictions. At Christmas it becomes more evident that some suffer from social anxiety or drinking problem. They struggle with different anxieties and during the Christmas season it often gets worse when they real-

ize they are alone. How can we help and include them in our Christmas parties and activities? When planning activities, we should tailor the plan to suit their needs. At the same time, it is important to understand that some simply do not want to or cannot participate for diverse reasons. Sometimes the impression arises that those who do not attend or cancel, are simply antisocial. As the organizer, you shouldn’t take this personally. Some of them may just be overwhelmed by the Christmas stress. How to be diverse and inclusive for everyone Inclusion also means being open to the new and the unknown. Intolerances and misunderstandings often arise due to different religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Celebrations can be used as an occasion to bring everyone closer together to better understand each other. Diversity and inclusion can be celebrated by researching and highlighting the unique practices like traditions and their meanings. These can be celebrated with a variety of food, music and rituals that can be part of a modern and integrative Christmas party, for example. Inclusion also means that attending a celebration should always be voluntary and never mandatory. Nobody should feel pressured to attend the celebration or feel guilty for not wanting to attend. The same goes for exchanging gifts. The exchange of gifts should be voluntary and without obligation. While celebrating holidays is fun for many, others choose not to join in celebrating because of their religious beliefs. We should be respectful to these people. For example, believers of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) do not celebrate Christmas. Instead of wishing them a Merry Christmas, we

Feature

For my painting, I applied a one-point perspective method and used an acrylic paint on acrylic paper as my medium. The place that inspired me to make this painting is Calle Crisologo in Vigan because my grandmother always tells us about old structures and places that are part of our cultural heritage, and my ancestors came from there. This is the place where I want to visit one day. Chili Ada, 11 years old, Philippines

should wish them Happy Holidays as a non-denominational greeting. Inclusivity can be celebrated, for example, through the provision of different dishes at a Christmas party. Food is something we all enjoy, regardless of origins or beliefs. Because of this, food is great for Christmas parties. A potluck can be held asking all guests to bring a favourite dish of their choice. This is a wonderful way to learn about different types of cuisines and other cultures in a fun and non-threatening way. In addition to the food, attention should also be paid to the choice of drinks. Alcohol plays a big role at Christmas parties. It’s a good idea to plan a twopart party, one without alcohol and

Feature

then in an after party where alcohol is available. Like food, music is another fun way to make the Christmas party more inclusive and varied. You can hear Christmas music everywhere on the radio and in shops, but mostly the same. It is advisable to play festive music from other cultures as well. Classical music and jazz music would be a great option for the party playlist too. In many cultures, the family is at the center of Christmas. We should encourage each other to invite families to Christmas activities, create a family-friendly environment and involve everyone. Make Christmas pleasant for everyone!

My reflections and wishes for 2022 We live in a time characterized by diversity and inclusion. The message of this article is that we Filipinos should be more open about diversity and inclusion issues. We should also raise awareness about mental health and not downplay people who suffer from it. Especially during the Christmas season, we should be aware and respond to the needs of people with disabilities and mental health problems. Di ba ang Pasko ay para sa lahat? Andito tayo para sa isa’t isa. Binabati ko ang lahat ng isang Maligayang Pasko, Happy Holidays at isang matagumpay na Bagong Taon 2022.

SWITZERLAND

Eve’s Art

Story by Lily C. Fen Art by Evelyn Steiner, Lucerne

hat if one woman had sketched a lifetime into a dozen secret books? Would that merit as art? I would say it is, especially when confronted with Eve’s images that had given me goosebumps, the day her works on paper were made known to me. Evelyn Steiner is one who is wellloved by her husband, children and grandchildren. One who speaks of family, but not much of her art, until a colleague of ours had prodded her to do so. She’d been sitting at the writing table, regaling me with family tales that would make it to our community book, Bending without Breaking: Thirteen Women’s Stories of Migration & Resilience. But she never spoke about the stirring sketches hiding in her handbag. In this story, delve into one woman’s artistic work. What is art, really, but that which lends the viewer a glimpse of something remarkable? What is art, really, but that which lends the viewer a glimpse of something remarkable? Says Eve, “Art was a hobby of mine during my younger days. I began seriously sketching when I got married and lived in Switzerland. I found the panoramic points of view in the region fascinating, particularly the architecture and the outdoors. “I always had my sketchbook and pens with me whenever my husband, Toni, and our kids and I, went away on

What is art, really, but that which lends the viewer a glimpse of something remarkable? holiday. These were the times I could work on my scenic vignettes. Since then, I have accumulated more than a dozen books filled with art from our travels. They have become a kind of diary in pictures, tracking the views of places to which I had been, and when.” E. Steiner began sketching in earnest in 1980, continuing on until the present day. She now has a collection of nearly thirty sketch books. It began with her wanting to commit to memory the view from St. Croux in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. This

Art

beautiful piece was done in 1980. E. Steiner hiked up Atlanka in Ticino, Switzerland in 1984 with her family. Always with her drawing book with her, she managed to jot down the views she saw of the church and its surroundings. ATLANKA

Many years later, as the pandemic was to surprise everyone, she turned to color, experimenting with acrylic. STORMY AT SEA * COUNTRYSIDE

Eve was having lunch with a friend, Amelia Pinkas, in Lucerne. Having spotted a photograph at her friend’s home that caught her eye, she immediately brought pen to paper. Hence the 16

Art

title, “Luzern by Amelia Pinkas.”

FAR

DISTANCE MOUNTAIN

Although Eve painted this copy herself, its original was an image on a ship’s dining room wall. She found it a worthwhile exercise to do a study of the painting while on a cruise down the River Rhein to Vienna / June 2019 Eve did a quick sketch of a small church set against a backdrop of foliage during her stay at Saas Amagell in Canton Saasthal. THE CITY OF PIRVE DE LEDRO

ALGHERO

Almost all sketches were originally done on 21x15 cm. Connect with E. Steiner at evelyn.b.steiner@gmail.

GERMANY

Discovering Art Styles with Sandra Torrijos, Germanybased Filipina artist Text by Rebecca Urbancik Garcia

t's the most of the wonderful time of the year... Although many of us experienced another holiday season far from family, we are thankful for technology and the possibility to enjoy each other’s company virtually. This is the period where we find the time to unwind, slow down and catch up on some R&R. For some of us, this may be in the form of trips to the mountains, a grand tropical vacation (escaping winter temperatures), or simply enjoying the comforts of our homes, reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the New Year. Despite the busy year end, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sandra Torrijos, a Filipina artist based in Düsseldorf, Germany since 2004. Originally from Quezon City, Philippines, Sandra studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines with a focus on Visual Communications. Sandra was active back in the 1980s to 1990s, involved with the Women’s movement, working with NGOs and organizations focused on women.

Art

Thanks to her involvement with these organizations, Sandra empowered herself and started creating pictures or paintings, themed mainly about women and empowerment in the early 1990s. Her style was influenced by German expressionism. Artists like German expressionist Käthe Kollwitz and conceptual artist Joseph Beuys have been a source of inspiration since Sandra’s early beginnings as an artist. Sandra finds herself between Germany and the Philippines — staying several months in each location respectively. Most of her projects are based in the Philippines with her last solo exhibit featuring wood sculptures and watercolor paintings — most of which were brought in from Germany — and were showcased at Crucible Art Gallery in SM Megamall in 2018. She maintains a gallery in Düsseldorf, where she exhibits her works and hosts small Filipino events. When did you start becoming interested in art? I was already interested in art as a child. I always wanted to do something with my hands — playing outside, building things. In high school, some friends were drawing and I wanted to do it too. In biology class, our teacher selected three girls to copy plants from a book. I was one of them. I also remember copying a detailed anatomy of a grasshopper under the candlelight during a typhoon. I did not have formal lessons except one to prepare for the talent test. I knew I had something to express, my thoughts...so in college, I studied Fine Arts. Who / what are your biggest influences? What influences you? Every person has different sensitivities.. What touched me most during the course of my travels and growth as an artist were "primi18

Art

ABOVE

TOP LEFT

Bohol

ANI (Harvest) 2010 - Mosaic -

TOP Dakila Mosaic

UP Los Banos

tive art", folk art, Romanesque churches and sculptures, icon paintings, mosaics, stained glass paintings. There is something simple, direct and eternal about these works that touched my heart and communicated in silence. All these came from the intention of the maker and how they were given forms and colors. Without having seen some of the mosaics here in Europe, I would probably have not created "Dakila" for the University of the Philippines Center for Women & Gender Studies in Diliman, Quezon City and “Ani" at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna. Can you tell us more about your art style? Do you have any Philippine inspired works or artists that you look up to? My art form varies from sculpture, paintings and installation works. Recently, I am more preoccupied with painting, and styles can change based on the mood and themes: political, spiritual, playful. There are many excellent Philippine artists. I am fortunate to have met Brenda Fajardo, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Julie Lluch and many more contemporary artists. Works of Juan Luna, Virginia Ty Navarro, Hernando R. O'Campo, Napoleon Abueva are definitely memorable. I understand you have been based in Germany since 2004, is there any particular reason you chose Düsseldorf? It must be fate that I was brought here through a fellow traveller. It is here in Germany that I have matured more emotionally and spiritually by way of prayer, meditation, reading, works and in association with kindred spirits.

“Karoling”

Can you tell us more about your latest projects, such as the Philippine Consulate artwork / Christmas card design? It was last summer [when] I met Ms. Rhoda Steegmaier here in the gallery which we fondly call Mutti's Haus or Galerie M. She was introduced to me by a dear friend. I showed her my works and since then, we were in constant communication as she broached the idea to do a Christmas card design. By the end of September, I had already three paintings for selection. Then, Rhoda communicated this to Vice Consul Ms. Fatima Mueller of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and the rest is history. Do you have any special projects / collaborations / exhibitions planned in the future? Last year to celebrate my birthday, I prepared a very small exhibit for some friends. I could not open it to more people due to Covid protocols. I am busy painting again and am preparing gifts for the children of my friends in the Women's movement. This 2022, hopefully another exhibit.

If you ever find yourself in Düsseldorf, be sure to include Sandra’s studio as one of your stops. Special thanks again to Sandra for her time and for sharing her beautiful pieces, that spark joy and a festive mood during this holiday season.

CONTACT ARTIST:

du88eldorf@yahoo.com Art

SWEDEN

Filipina serial entrepreneur brings Filipino food to the Swedish table Text & photos by Katrina Larida

eet Lorielle Phillips (former Lorielle Fajardo Barlis), a Personal Chef, serial entrepreneur and business owner. Known to her family and friends as Elle, she grew up in Parañaque City and was educated at University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila. “Life begins the moment you realise you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” - Elle Phillips It was almost two years ago in February, the coldest month of winter in Stockholm when I met Elle Phillips at a dinner organized by The Philippine Embassy of Sweden. I was seated next to her and I could not help but be drawn to her warm and bright spirit. She reminded me of my grandmother who could warm up an entire room because of her big heart and enthusiasm. Every time I go to Elle´s workplace at A House, she is a people magnet, sometimes they rush over to chat with her about work or private life. That´s Elle 20

Business

in a nutshell. She brings warmth around her not just through her personality but also through the Filipino food she makes. I had the pleasure to interview Elle about her entrepreneurial journey for the last three years, which added flavour to her life in Sweden. You have started Elle´s Kusina in 2018, what was the seed that made you start and why did you start it? “Building a Filipino food brand Elle’s Kusina (registered business under Elle Phillips Catering) is my dream. For more than 11 years of working in the airline and hotel industries in Manila and Singapore, I was keen to resume my very successful career to one of the impressive hotels in downtown Stockholm. However, after moving to Sweden with my husband

and daughter, I felt that I needed to change my course in life. I took some time off to focus on the next steps in my career. During this time I rediscovered my passion for cooking and that spark made me start creating sumptuous matlåda or lunch boxes for my husband. In Sweden, a typical lunch at work involves eating together with colleagues at the pantry or restaurant. So it did not take long for his colleagues to notice the food I made for him. A few taste sessions later and I was providing lunches for a number of my husband’s colleagues, weeks later, the number of orders multiplied. Now, Elle’s Kusina has been catering to different corporate events and functions including well known Swedish companies like King and Spotify.” “In 2019, I expanded my com-

pany and created another brand called Stockholm Charcuterie. It is a Stockholm-based luxury charcuterie company specialising in artisan boxes, styled platters, & lavish grazing tables. This includes gift boxes and stylish catering for private events and functions.” You have ventured into a new business in 2020, Tzocolaté. Tell us about it? What is it about and what do you want to accomplish? “Tzocolaté is a Swedish brand dedicated to bring Filipino fine crafted chocolates to Sweden. The company was founded by me together with a couple of other Filipinas. We promote our Philippine-made artisanal chocolates and distribute these award winning products in Sweden and the rest of Europe.” After starting three businesses in a span of three years, what are you going to do NEXT? “The next stage for Elle’s Kusina is to have its own cafe or bistro. As for Tzocolaté, we want to position ourselves to be the major importer of premium quality and luxurious Filipino brands to Europe. “

What about Elle´s Kusina, Stockholm Charcuterie and Tzocolaté most feeds your soul? What small details in your work that make you realize why you do what you do? “To give inspiration to other Filipinos. I want them to realize that they can also make a difference and that we can be proud of our Filipino culture and heritage.” “I want to give inspiration to other Filipinos. I want them to realize that they can also make a difference and that we can be proud of our Filipino culture and heritage.” What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome? “Starting my own business was very challenging in the beginning. Being an immigrant, brownskinned and a woman did not make it easier to be an entrepreneur. I had to find my way around it. I made a lot of mistakes, faced so many challenges and heard a lot of Nos before I started getting recognition. Despite all the challenges, I am so proud of what I have accomplished. “ How do you define success? “To me, success is when you are

able to inspire others and have the capacity to help those who seek guidance. It also hits differently when nobody believes in you but proves them wrong.” How do you manage failure? “I never define anything as a failure no matter how bad it may be. I only see it in two ways; an achievement or a lesson learned.” What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in the past year? “Life begins the moment you realise you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” Give us your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. “Don’t give up or be disheartened. One must acknowledge that the learning process will lead to something great. Remember that if a door closes, another door opens somewhere, or even better another big window.”

You can follow Elle´s entrepreneurial jouney on her instagram accounts: @elleskusina @stockholm_charcuterie and @tzocolate

Business

Here are some books available at the 8Letters online bookstore.

Beyond the Bansalan Skies A memoir by Filipina social entrepreneur Leila RispensNoel, founder of Wimler Foundation. She is now based in the Netherlands.

ww.8lettersbooks.com

Diaspora Journey: Stories of Philippine Migration to Hong Kong

Takipsilim: Mga Kuwentong Mitolohiya sa Pilipinas

A collection of personal essays from Filipinos who traveled, worked, and treated Hong Kong as their new home.

An anthology featuring ten paranormal romance stories by Filipino authors, featuring creatures from both higher and lower local mythology.

PHILIPPINES

A Conversation with a Creative Entrepreneur Roots & Wings sat down for a quick chat with Cindy Wong, founder of 8Letters Bookstore and Publishing House

Text by Michellan Sarile Alagao Images by Cindy Wong

entrepreneurial adventures while dreaming up inspiring stories to write.

indy Wong moved from the Philippines to Hong Kong when she was a young girl. She studied at the University of Hong Kong while working in a full-time corporate job, which she eventually left to become a creative entrepreneur. She founded several businesses, including 8Letters Bookstore and Publishing in 2016. 8Letters aims to promote talented Filipino indie artists, in the

Business

local and global publishing scene, and boost the evolving Philippine independent publishing industry. Cindy is also the author of several books. She now resides in Siberia and continues to pursue more

When did you first realize that you wanted to be an entrepreneur? I’ve always been a businessperson. Since I was seven years old, I’ve been selling all kinds of products and services, from selling comics, to making assignments and projects for my classmates, to selling jewelry, and even a house and lot! My purpose was to earn extra money and sometimes I was bored

— selling was fun. I didn’t use the word “entrepreneur” until later. I didn’t realize that was what I was doing (being an entrepreneur). When I knew that I wanted to be a writer but saw that there were no doors opening for me, I realized that I would have to make a pathway for myself. That’s when I started 8Letters Bookstore and Publishing. All I wanted, at that time, was to create a community. My intention was not to make money, in the beginning. But eventually I realized that, okay, this is a real business. There’s an opportunity here for me to be sustainable and also, I need to earn money. So I realized that I wanted to be an entrepreneur after I started 8Letters. It’s interesting that you realized you wanted to be (or already were) an entrepreneur right after you wanted to be a writer, since creativity has often been connected to being an entrepreneur. How has your creativity guided the direction of your entrepreneurship? Yes, I was a writer before I was an entrepreneur. As I mentioned, there was no pathway (for my writing), so I needed to create one. I’m a storyteller, so I wanted to create a “happy ever after” or a good ending for myself. For me to do that, I needed to start an adventure for myself, and create my own success story. Yeah, definitely. I can see how — as a writer and storyteller — entrepreneurship is an “adventure” for you! And every adventure has challenges. So what are some of the challenges you face as a Filipino entrepreneur in Europe? Book launch at the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong. Since my business is in the Philippines,

I’m operating everything remotely. I just need to have an Internet connection wherever I am. Because of the pandemic I cannot go back there as much as I want to, or as frequently as I did in the past, so medyo mahirap ang communication. I do work with trusted employees so my presence isn’t as needed in the Philippines, however I have to make sure that communication goes smoothly and that everything works well. We do video calls but it’s still different when it comes to managing your employees and meeting clients. I understand — Zoom is great and all, but sometimes a face to face meeting is necessary. Yeah, but one of the things I love about being an entrepreneur is the freedom and flexibility I have to do these things. I can operate my business while in Russia, and I can help people wherever I am or whenever I want to. And I work with the things that I love, like books, writing, writers, words and literature — and, you know, we’re just getting started. There are many things that we can still do. There’s a lot of potential for growth. There are challenges as well, but we just need to figure them out. Every day we face new challenges so it’s fun! Hindi siya boring. You’re not restrained within the four walls of your office, like how I was in the past when I was still

working in the corporate world. Cindy Wong, author and entrepreneur. That’s a great point and being an entrepreneur is definitely more exciting and challenging nowadays! Since you are in publishing, what significant changes have you seen in your business, compared to pre-pandemic times? Interestingly, the business actually grew during the pandemic. I think it’s because people have more time to read, reflect, and write. People want to be more creative so that’s good for us; that’s good for our publishing company. We will need to wait and see (what else happens), but now that we see what we were not able to do and what we were missing in the past, I said okay, this is the time to do all those things. We saw some needs and we responded to those. I would say that we’ve made some mistakes and we’re still experimenting along the way. That’s the good thing about being a creative and an entrepreneur, right? Everything is part of the learning process. We’re taking things as they come and it doesn’t always run smoothly, but I have to wake up every day with the same motivation and inspiration; I think: I’m doing this for the writers, the artists, the creatives. And I’m happy to report na hindi pa nawawala yung inspiration na ’yon. I’m still inspired. I’m still motivated to continue.

Business

MANILA

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Culture

Text by Marthy Angue Image by Alexander Fulcher, 9

n 1521, the eastern and western ends of the world met on an island chain in the fringes of the vast Pacific. Strangers bearing strange goods and stranger gods, meeting each other at shore, wondering how different must these other strangers be? When blood mixed with blood at the Compact, we decided we must not be so different to bleed the same. When we drew each other’s blood not soon after, well, we proved for certain that we both die the same. Through Feast and Ritual, Barter and Battle, the rounding of the Earth - and perhaps all human fortune - was sealed on Philippine islands. Five hundred years later, we celebrate Christmas with a child who has been with us for just as long - the iconic Santo Niño de Cebu - and may very well be the symbolic clasp holding the extremities of the Earth together. This carpenter’s son decked in royal finery, this Flemish masterpiece paraded with Austronesian devotion, this sacred point-of-contact for both Conquistador and Revolutionary - here they find quiet if tenuous resolution. It is said that in the 44 years between Magellan’s death and the arrival of Legaspi, how the Christ Child arrived to Cebu had all but been forgotten. The Child, they believed, had always been in Cebu and belonged to the Cebuanos. Legend has it that attempts to enshrine it in Manila were met only with a strange disappearance followed by an even stranger reappearance back in Cebu. Some say you can still see cut marks on the icon’s legs where the friars once sawed it off to keep it from leaving. Clearly, it did not work. Perhaps this is what it means to call the Philippines home. We, the English Speaking, Hispanic-named, K-Pop-loving Indios of South-East Asia; we who cross oceans and continents to find our fortunes for the families we leave behind, all this finds similarly tense resolution in being Filipino. And while we may find it easy (almost instinctual) to dismiss the foreign as imposition or the local as inferior, all attempts to “purify” Filipino culture along any single direction has fallen flat. This is like purifying a Noche Buena to have only Sinigang. It’s purely Filipino, certainly, but is it not also Filipino to think there’s something missing? This is, of course, not to say that all’s well that ends well. All is certainly NOT well and one hopes that we aren’t quite at the end either. Centuries of Empire has taken from us so much of who we could have been and given back so much to be unsure of having. Is our enduring faith worth how it was used against us by

the Friars, one might ask. Is English worth the Philippine American War? Then again, I’m asking this in English as someone who identifies as fairly devout. You can only question your identity so much before realizing it is a tricky thing for a hammer to hit itself. Is it better then to simply let go of the tension? To just embrace our halo-halo? To go into another new year celebrating Sinulog to BTS and giving Ikea gift certificates in ang pao? Honestly, maybe. This is not to forget the harsh realities of the last 500 years but it is also not to necessarily BE a harsh reality. We may not be some notion of “pure” but we are definitely something. We’re pancit with quezo de bola. We’re watching Christmas movies on Netflix while drinking lagundi tea. We’re greater than the sum of our pre-colonial and colonial histories combined (at least, if that’s what we’d like to be.) We’re that kind of something. And if the Santo Niño has found a home here with us, we may be something truly special. READER ENGAGEMENT

Parol at Christmas in Philippines by Alexander Fulcher 9, Vienna

This Parol is a star decoration we see every year in the Philippines during Advent and Christmas time. They are hung usually outside the balcony or front porch of the house. These Parol are all beautiful and colourful. My Mom told me it is a symbol associated with Christmas. I think every home has at least one Parol. I think it is a symbol of light and love. It reminds me and my Mom of Philippines. It reminds me of my Lola (grandmother) and Titos (uncles) who I miss a lot. It reminds me of my cousins who I love to play with. It reminds of how happy and friendly everyone is. It reminds me of Christmas.

Culture

FRANCE

Text by Jeffrey Cabuay Image by Agtang Sipat

could never forget when Christmas time arrived, we received these giant boxes all covered up by brownish packaging tape with the name of my mom written on it. I could not remember if it stayed there for days until she was prepared to open it but she never opened it without the children around them. What I remember so vividly was the smell the boxes were giving off when they were being opened. I did not know what it was but it was something I would not normally smell in the Philippines. It smelled something from nature. It smelled fresh. It smelled like apples; I think. Whatever it was, it transported me to a place where nobody but me could be in. I was in my fantasy, my beautiful imaginary world. I was imagining that maybe that is how the US smelled like. It was not the things inside that were more important to me but the feelings, experiences, and enjoyment of opening those boxes and seeing and hearing the people around me. To this day, these were the moments that I cherish and remember. These giant boxes are called the “Ba26

Culture

The ordinariness of these grocerybought goods is by design... These goods ‘map’ migrants back into the household economy by reproducing their labor and participation in their absence. Clement Camposano ANTHROPOLOGIST

likbayan Box”. The term Balikbayan stems from the Filipino words “Balik” meaning “to return” and “Bayan” meaning “home” referring to Filipinos working abroad who come back home. The balikbayan box came about in the 1980’s when a new service offered the Filipinos a way to send souvenirs or “pasalubong” to their families in the Philippines in bigger-sized boxes instead of smaller mail parcels which usually costed more. These souvenirs took longer to arrive since it usually was freighted by sea. People sending it did not mind since they knew that they could send more things using these boxes. It was my Tita Susan living in Los Angeles who sent these balikbayan boxes to be distributed amongst us and to the extended family. For as long as I can remember, my tita has been in the US for years and years. She did not have much nor was she obliged to send us these balikbayan boxes but she did give and gave a lot. It was a pêle-mêle of all sorts of gifts and souvenirs tightly packed in those big boxes. Anything and everything from chocolates to towels to electronic gadgets. It was not the price of the gift that mattered but the

sentiments that go with sending those precious things. Some of the things inside are items that we could buy in the Philippines, but those were not the same. These were more valuable because of the sentiments and values they represented. Every time I get the opportunity to meet the Filipino community, I make it a point to bring my children with me. They not only hear me speaking in Filipino but see me interacting in the culture of my origins. I can remember bringing my son, Raphael, to the home of Mr. And Mrs. Fricke. Nora is Filipina and is married to his German husband, Juergen. We were greeted with the typical Filipino hospitality and welcome, which included some drinks and food. To my son’s delight, he was able to taste, for the first time, Sky Flakes condensada flavored crackers. The sweet milk-flavored cracker is not something that one usually finds here in France. Proudly, I told my son that what he was eating is a Filipino product and something that I ate when I was younger. I also got to discover that Nora was providing a balikbayan box service to Filipinos wanting to send pasalubong to the Philippines. During our bike back home, my son asked me, “Papa, why are Filipinos so

generous? They are so welcoming and always share their food with us for us to eat and give us some more for us to bring home.” My eyes sparkled and my heart was joyful. At that very instant, I realized that my son never stepped foot in the Philippines and that the only experience that he has about the Philippines is me, my mom and the Filipino community here. So, I would say that I am still lucky to be able to socialize with the Filipinos even when I’m very far away from the Philippines. Best of all, I could share this experience with my children who grew up in a foreign land. As an intercultural communications consultant, what I find curious and interesting is that even when people live abroad for a long time, they still carry with them all or a part of the culture of their origins. Living far away from our loved ones for years on end may be difficult for most people. It is in sending goodies that Filipinos living abroad connect with their families. It is a sign of thoughtfulness and selflessness which says “I did not forget you and you are always in my thoughts”. Although these things could not replace the person’s presence, the fact that the things put inside the box were the result of one’s hard work and sacrifices represented their generosity and love towards their kin. Emotion plays a big part in completing the balikbayan box. The sender would imagine the smiles and reactions as their families “receive” the items meant for them. “The ordinariness of these grocery-bought goods is by design... These goods ‘map’ migrants back into the household economy by reproducing their labor and participation in their absence.” - anthropologist Clement Camposano Tina Fallarme, occupying the position of EMEA Partner Operations at Facebook (now called Meta), made Ireland her new home a few months ago. She wonderfully described her version of the balikbayan box in her Facebook posting. see above screenshot

Culture

Jhett Tolentino: Life is what you make it Text by Virgilio A. Reyes Jr., former Philippine Ambassador to Italy

hett Dizon Tolentino, Filipino winner of three Tony awards and one Grammy award by age 40, has defied all odds. At age 44, his glittering career would make one think he was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth.

Film

On the contrary. Born and raised in an indigent family in Iloilo City, he grew up with no reassurance that he would finish high school, let alone college. His father Artur Tolentino whose father Antonio was originally from Bataan, a jeepney driver, and his homemaker mother Gloria Dizon from Sorsogon, informed him upon graduation from elementary school that as they were burdened with educating his older siblings, they did not have the means to send him to high school. Barangay Calumpang in Iloilo, where the family lived, was one of the most impoverished areas in the city. Showing initiative and pluck that are hallmarks of his personality and career, Jhett at the young age of 12, found a way to finance his schooling. The Parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal received funding for needy students from the Meguko Society, a student organization of the Jesuit-run Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. Admittedly only an aver-

age student, Tolentino nevertheless persisted in finishing high school, at which point the scholarship ended since it was only meant for that level. He was able to persuade the Meguko Society to sponsor him as well through college at the University of Iloilo. Though wishing to major in Tourism and eventually to work as an airline crew member, Jhett chose to study Accounting since his proposed field was not offered at that university. But his accounting skills would propel him towards international jobs in Hong Kong and San Francisco after a five-year stint in the Philippines as bookkeeper, accountant and corporate secretary. He established his credentials first in these fields. Doing double or even triple-time as sales and marketing man, waiter and babysitter in the San Francisco Bay Area, he then decided to move to the New York Tri-state area for a mortgage and finance job in 2004. It was here where he discovered his talent and affinity for the theatre profession. Ever the pragmatic person, he obtained training as a nursing assistant in 2006, which stood him in good stead when the market crashed in 2008; he entered the healthcare profession full time. To amuse

himself, he began writing reviews of theatre shows in his blogs, his entrée into this vital area of New York entertainment. The rest is history. In 2013, he won as producer the Tony for Best Play - Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike with Sigourney Weaver; in 2014, he won the Best Musical with A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and the Best Play Revival of A Raisin in the Sun with Denzel Washington. He produced the cast album of The Color Purple, which won the 59th Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. He then entered filmmaking with his own autobiographical Life Is What You Make It. In 2019, he produced Isabel Sandoval’s feature film, Lingua Franca which premiered at the 76th Venice Film Festival and was nominated for the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award. Jhett Tolentino is making his feature directorial debut in the upcoming rom-com, Asian Persuasion starring Dante Basco and Toni Gonzaga. As is his wont, Jhett Tolentino will surprise us all once more. Life, after all, is what you make of it.

Editor’ Note Roots & Wings would like to congratulate Grammy and Tony award-winning producer Jhett Tolentino for his Best Short Documentary ‘Life Is What You Make It at the 2019 New Vision International Film Festival (NVIFF). ‘This a prestigious film festival, with a strong emphasis on discovering and encouraging new independent talent, supporting visionary films and bringing together all elements of film-making and storytelling.’

Film

CZECH REPUBLC

“Sine Halaga” Film Festival, A Showcase of Films Telling Stories of Filipino Culture and Values An Interview with Sine Halaga Film Festival Director Elvert Bañares By Rebecca Garcia Urbancik

D "The key message should be going back to our values - the social values that helped make us a great nation."

Film

irector Elvert Bañares is an award-winning independent Film Director, Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Film Producer and Educator. His art, designs and films were exhibited & screened in five continents, more than 70 international festivals in more than 30 countries around the world. He has been a Consultant of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Cinema Values Reorientation Program and twice served as member of the NCCA National Executive Committee on Cinema (2004-2006 and 2017-2019). Elvert was also Festival Director and Programmer of the 1st & 2nd ASEAN Film Festival and the pioneering festivals - eKsperim[E]nto Festival of Film & New Media and CineKasimanwa: Western Visayas Film Festival. He was the first ever Regional Manager of Cinemalaya in all of Visayas; Founder of Western Visayas Film Grants Program & Education Showcase, the first and only film grants based in the regions, and currently Festival Director of Bakunawa Young Cinema and Sine Halaga Film Festival. I had the pleasure of meeting “Direk” (Tagalog shorthand for Director) Elvert during the first ASEAN Film Festival that took place in Prague, the Czech Republic in 2012, and consequently other film related events. Elvert and I

have kept in touch over the years and glad to be able to chat with him on his latest and inspiring project — the Sine Halaga Film Festival. What is “Sine Halaga”? How did it start? Is the Film Festival an annual event? Sine Halaga is a national film festival and educational program that features films – we have 12 for our first edition – that explore core Filipino Values. It is a project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Negros Cultural Foundation (NCF) that springs from the NCCA Study on Filipino Values. Respondents in the said study were asked “What do the Filipinos value at present?” and the results listed 20 identified core values that Filipinos deem important. The film festival and its components explore, discuss, study and re-orient the audiences from all over the country as to the values explored by the films through its stories and characters. We plan to have it as a biennial festival with the first year for the production of the films and the second year for the implementation of its educational programs, spreading the films to as many Filipino and worldwide audiences as possible. What sets “Sine Halaga” apart from other film festivals? Sine Halaga is very unique, because compared to other festivals, it runs the whole year for free with its education-

al components. It is the only film festival in the Philippines and perhaps in Southeast Asia that has specific structured programs for educational use. While the films can be accessed by everyone for entertainment purposes, the films are clearly aimed for pedagogical use. So after our festival’s launching, we have already launched our website (sinehalaga.com) and Sine Halaga Guro Club. We are about to launch the 12-episode Sine Halaga Lecture Series with different guest lecturers and hosts and the 12-episode Weekend Show called “GOOD TAKE!” featuring the directors, actors and film artists from all the 12 films. Finally, in December and/ or during the new year (2022), we will release study guides for educators. All of these are free resources courtesy of NCCA and NCF. “Sine Halaga is very unique, because compared to other festivals, it runs the whole year for free with its educational components. It is the only film festival in the Philippines and perhaps in Southeast Asia that has specific structured programs for educational use.” That’s amazing! Could you tell us more about the films featured in this year’s “Sine Halaga” Festival? The 12 stories selected by our appointed Board of Jury were filmed during the pandemic in 2020 and we’re proud to say that Sine Halaga is the only festival that was able to finish all its films – thanks to the dedication of the selected filmmakers and their teams and, of course, Team Sine Halaga. How are the films selected? There was a national call for storylines/ sequence treatments and they were selected by an appointed Board of Jury that included film critic, author and educator, Dr. Roland Tolentino; film critic, author and anthropologist, Prof. Tito Valiente; film and television director, Director Jeffrey Jeturian; Screenwriter, director and educator, Prof. Roy Iglesias; Educators and co-authors of the NCCA Study on Filipino Values, Prof.

Arvin Villalon and Prof. Joey Soliman; and filmmaker and educator, Director Sari Dalena. The jury is tasked to select the films that shall be given a full film grant to produce the winning stories. How long will the festival run? The film festival runs the whole year as the films remain for free on our Sine Halaga website. The reason for this is to make sure that the festival will reach as many Filipinos as possible, and that the films are available online and free for any educator who would want to use our films for teaching. Where can viewers watch the films? Our films are available on Sine Halaga’s website wherein [viewers] can also access the trailer, the featurette and the link to Sine Halaga Guro Club. Also, Sine Halaga’s website is under the NCCA Learning Hub. Here, teachers are given free access to organized lesson plans and syllabi for those who want to teach Filipino Art & Culture.¨ Apart from the pandemic, were there other challenges that you faced in making the festival? How did you face these challenges? This project started its implementation before the pandemic and immediately after the last day of juror deliberations, where winners should have been announced the following day (March 16, 2020), lockdowns were imposed. It was then that the challenges [started piling] up. But as its National Project Director, I told Ms. Tanya Lopez (our Project Manager) that this should be a perfect catalyst to combat the grim nature of the pandemic which she agreed. In 2020, it was a time of anxiety, sorrow and desolation. [Each] Filipino filmmaker and artist should step up and, under strict health protocols, create something that should inspire the nation… And they did. The grant also provided work for so many Filipinos with each film employing more than twenty people each. Imagine the help this gave to the families

THE SINE HALAGA FILMS Bakit ako Sinusundan ng Buwan Directed by Richard Soriano Legaspi

Black Rainbow Directed by Zig Madamba Dulay

Dandanso’y Directed by Arden Rod Condez

Hadlok Directed by Ralston Jover

Looking for Rafflesias and other Fleeting Things Directed by James Fajardo

Lorna Directed by Noel Escondo

Masalimuot Ya Tiyagew Ed Dayat Directed by Jan Carlo Natividad

Mina’s Family History Directed by Christopher Gozum

Sa Balay ni Papang Directed by Kurt Soberano

Salog ning Diklom Directed by Jordan De la Cruz

Ugbos ka Bayabas Directed by Manie Magbanua Jr

13 Feet Directed by Carlo Obispo

Community

that year. While the project may be a blessing to many, it is also an investment of the Filipinos. Educational materials are priceless. Films with these kind of stories do inspire and heal people. We are very proud of the accomplishments of our teams, our filmmakers and their teams. As the Festival launched internationally early September 2021, what key message(s) do you hope viewers from around the world take away from each of the films? The key message should be going back to our values — the social values that helped make us a great nation. These values must be taken collectively as they are interconnected. For example, we cannot be completely responsible if we are not honest. If we value one’s self, then it should follow that we value others too. If life and purpose are important for us, then we must value family, education, faith, health and livelihood. Science is as important as the arts because our culture puts value in a good balance between creativity and research. With the current proliferation of hate and divisiveness, Sine Halaga proves to be a timely project and one that needs to be owned by every Filipino. “The key message should be going back to our values - the social values that helped make us a great nation.” Personally, how do you see the film festival’s future? Our analytics show one of the largest reaches of any film festival in the country, reaching 4.7 million in just five months and with some of the highest online views for any film-related event. These numbers break pandemic records and are very encouraging. So I go by our accomplishments and leave it to the NCCA and NCF to decide the next editions. But if we see these kinds of feats during a time when everything is difficult to accomplish, I 32

Film

am very sure that the future is bright for Sine Halaga. What are your hopes, dreams, wish list in the future for Sine Halaga, for film festivals and the film industry in the Philippines in general? There’s much to cover. Our team learns from the multiple problems and challenges we face day by day – not to mention our geographical distance (I live in Manila and our team members are based in Visayas and other parts of Luzon). In the next edition, we would like to add specific sections for women and minority filmmakers and their stories. Because of our blind selection, we couldn’t cover female filmmakers (though half of our films have strong female characters). We want to explore more indigenous stories and folklores, [and we’d like] to gear up for printed publications and textbooks. I have a long wish list…but it is not enough to just wish. Together with our team, we are already writing and preparing the templates of each of our wishes so when the time comes, all we need to do is just get the right collaborators and cultural workers to implement them. I have stopped wishing grander things for the film industry. Instead, we need to start doing our own contributions for the industry, for filmmakers/artists and for our audiences. By targeting wider access to the films and by using the films for education, we are cultivating very young audiences and affecting their tastes. As a result, we try to bring back their love for our local stories and for our values. Congratulations to the Sine Halaga team, the filmmakers, actors, the NCCA and all participating organizations on a successful first edition of the film festival! May we continue to share our love and support for Filipino stories and values that are close to our hearts - wherever we are… Happy watching!

An Ode to St. Nick

Poem by Kristianne Pearl De Leon

helped the ones in need, gave the children alms to feed; you are worthy of it, a day to celebrate your good deeds. kindness feels bizarre, for lands staring from afar, how does it feel to be so popular? this month helps us cope; remembering the months we lost hope, your day is our escape from dreadful days; St. Nick, we are grateful for your kind ways.

Christmas is a great time to give joy and love to everyone. to my friends and to my family. every Christmas we put up Christmas tree and decorations. everyone helps each other and be happy to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.” Xavier D. Nermal, 10 Bacolod, Philippines

Literary

This Christmas I Hope Poem by Esther Tidoso This Christmas I Hope… … for more peace A little release From all that’s happening … for more reevaluation Of our inner situation For what is your heart beating? … for more smiles Despite the trials Are you still living? … for a Christmas miracle The holidays to be bearable We keep on praying … the reality checks remind us to keep ourselves in check Let’s all be grateful … we focus not on our limitations But be thankful for this mission That is forgiveness, love and giving … you hang up the star on the tree so high Ornaments so beautiful, you sigh Precious memories, decorating ...the lights to shine brighter And our arms spread wider Jesus is born, let’s greet Him … ‘tis season to be joyful ‘Tis season to be peaceful

Literary

Philippine Embassies and Consulates Roots & Wings e-Publications have 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

Westend Carree

H.E. Deena Joy D. Amatong

Emergency (+45) 2273-3933

Grüneburgweg 16-18, 1st Floor

Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim

Email: copenhagen.pe@dfa.gov.ph

60322 Frankfurt Am Main

20th and 21st Floor, ARES Tower

Facebook: @PHinDenmark

Federal Republic of Germany

Donau-City-Strasse 11, A-1220

WWW.COPENHAGENPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Tel (+49) (0) 69 8700 66900 Hotline (+49) (0) 151 6248 7425

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

FINLAND

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

Emergency Tel (+43-6991) 232-2034

Embassy of the Philippines, Greater Helsinki

Email: frankfurt.pcg@dfa.gov.ph

Email: vienna.pe@dfa.gov.ph

Vice Consul, ad honorem Mdme. Teresita

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

vienna.pm@dfa.gov.ph

Zurbano Ruutu

PHinFrankfurt/

WWW.VIENNAPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Ukonkivenpolku 3e, Fi-01610 Vantaa, Finland

WWW.FRANKFURTPCG.DE

Tel (+358) 407 071 817

WWW.FRANKFURTPCG.DFA.GOV.PH/

BELGIUM

EMAIL: TERESITA.RUUTU@SAUNALAHTI.FI

GREECE

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

FRANCE

Embassy of the Philippines, Athens

297 Avenue Moliere, Brussels, 1050 BELGIUM

Embassy of the Philippines, Paris

H.E. Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec

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

H.E. AILEEN MENDIOLA RAU

26 Antheon Street, Paleo Psychico 154-52

Emergency Tel (+32-4) 8860-9177

Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim

Athens, Greece

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

4 Hameau de Boulainvilliers

Tel (+30210) 672-1883

brusselspe@gmail.com

45 Rue du Ranelagh

(+30210) 672-1883

Facebook: @PHinBelgium

75016 Paris, France

672-1837

WWW.BRUSSELSPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Tel (+331) 4414-5700

Emergency (+30-697) 968-2921,

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

(+30-697) 968-2921

CZECH REPUBLIC

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

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

Embassy of the Philippines, Prague

Email: paris.pe@dfa.gov.ph

ATHENSPE@OTENET.GR

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Ombra T. Jainal

parispe.dfa@gmail.com

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 H.E. Ambassador Frank R. Cimafranca

GERMANY

1026 Budapest, Gabor Aron utca 58

224-216385

Embassy of the Philippines, Berlin

Budapest, Hungary

Emergency Tel (+420) 607-850-764

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

Tel (+36-1) 391-4300

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

Luisenstrasse 16, 10117 Berlin-Mitte

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

praguepe@gmail.com

Federal Republic of Germany

phbuda@philembassy.hu

Facebook: @PHinCzechRepublic

Tel +49 (0) 30 864 95 00

Facebook: @PHLinHungary

WWW.PRAGUEPE.DFA.GOV.PH

Emergency +49 (0) 173-521-5703

WWW.BUDAPESTPE.DFA.GOV.PH

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

DENMARK

philippine-embassy.de

ISRAEL

Embassy of the Philippines, Copenhagen

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

Embassy of the Philippines, Tel-Aviv

H.E. Ambassador Leo M. Herrera-Lim

PHinGermany

H.E. Ambassador-designate Macairog S. Alberto

Arne Jacobsens Alle 13, 1st Floor, 2300

WWW.PHILIPPINE-EMBASSY.DE

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