Christian Bautista performed for overseas Filipinos at an Independence Day concert at Morden Park in London.

Pinoy OFWs in London and Barcelona celebrated Philippine Independence Day with Asia’s Pop Idol Christian Bautista, who sang their favorite love songs in a concert sponsored by The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Globe Telecoms.

“I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to spend Independence Day with my fellow countrymen in Europe,” said Christian.

The women of Harana (L-R): Florence Aguilar, Karla Gutierrez, Ana Feleo, and Deeda Barretto

Overseas Pinoys in the Netherlands will finally get to listen to some really good classical Filipino music as the the Philippine Opera Company brings its hit “Harana” show on a tour of the Dutch republic from June 8 to 15, 2009.

“Harana,” which has garnered good reviews from audiences and local critics, will have a special performance at Theater de Compagnie in Amsterdam on June 11, 7:30 p.m. The show takes its audiences through a spectacular cultural journey showcasing the very best of Philippine music, from the indigenous Cordilleras and pre-colonial period to contemporary and fusion.

Pinoy-British band Firefalldown is busy carving its niche in the London music scene, but for two of its Pinoy members, the Philippines will always be home.

Good Filipino food, the wonderful sense of community, and the warm welcome are some of the things they miss about the  Philippines, share vocalist/guitarist Jon Blaylock and bassist Joel Sablayan, who are proud of their Pinoy roots. British drummer Andrew Hodgson completes the trio.

When she is not weaving award-winning short stories from her home in southern France, Filipina expat Apol Lejano-Massebieau is busy creating unique treasures–fabric jewelry, soft toys, pillows, scented sachets, and many other lovable creations–that find their way into the hands of kindred lovers of lavender and handmade crafts in the US, Australia, and other parts of Europe.

Dutched Pinay writes about her travels in Europe.

Before the trip to Barcelona, I have been researching low-key places to go outside the city. I know for sure that the busyness of Barcelona will dauntingly suffocate me, and it did. Don’t get me wrong, Barcelona is a wonderful city. The testimony that millions of visitors visit yearly makes Barcelona one of the most sought-after cities to holiday in the world.

Filipino journalist Nico Sepe, now based in UK with his wife marine biologist and environmentalist Maeve Nightingale, is running his first photo exhibit at the Barbican Theatre in Plymouth from May 8 to June 22, 2007.

Entitled Parallels: In Between Realities, the exhibit features photos taken …