HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY, PILYA BLOG MAGAZINE! A Decade of Dedication, Passion and Print
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND PATRONAGE OF PILYA BLOG MAGAZINE! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!
Meet the Filipina Behind the Fiercely Fun “Pilya” Blog Magazine in Germany
“Pilya”—a cheeky Filipino slang word often used to describe a woman who’s naughty, playful, bold, loud, and unapologetically entertaining. It’s not your usual magazine name, but then again, Ces Seidel is not your usual entrepreneur.
Ten years ago in Germany, Ces gave life to a bold idea: a lifestyle magazine for Filipinos in Europe that not only entertains, but celebrates real, inspiring stories of fellow kababayans making their mark abroad. And so, Pilya Blog Magazine was born—unapologetically fierce, proudly Filipina, and unmistakably fun.
Hallochen! Ich heiße Jessa—and let me tell you how I stumbled upon one of the most exciting Filipino success stories in Europe.
I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook (as one does), when a page with a bright, bold logo caught my eye: Pilya Blog. The name alone had me hooked. I thought to myself, “This has to be Filipino!”—and sure enough, it was. My curiosity got the best of me. I messaged, I scheduled, and not long after, I found myself sitting in the office of Ces Seidel herself.
And let me tell you—her energy is just as pilya as her brand.
Her office felt like a creative playground—filled with magazine issues, books, handwritten poems, awards, and artwork that told stories of a decade’s worth of hustle, creativity, and passion. I realized then: behind the glitz and gloss of some of the most loved Filipino stories in Europe was a woman who built everything from scratch.
When she arrived in Germany from Dubai & California, with a passion for writing, she carried a bold vision —to create a magazine that would connect and uplift the Filipino community she encountered. With no immediate backing or audience, she began by giving it away for free, tirelessly experimenting with content and formats just to gain a few loyal readers.
In the beginning, it felt like no one noticed. Like many startups, the value of her work wasn’t immediately recognized. But everything changed when she began spotlighting successful Filipino entrepreneurs in Germany. That’s when people started paying attention.
Of course, the path was never without challenges. Competition was fierce, and if she wanted to stand out, she needed to offer something different—something that would instantly capture attention and spark curiosity. And that’s exactly what she did.
“It was so funny, no?” she giggles, recalling her early days. “I came up with this magazine size because the standard one just didn’t fit in our purses. So I said, ‘Why not make it pouch-sized? Something chic and practical—just like us, Filipinas!’”
And just like that, even the magazine’s size became part of its charm. And speaking of charm, Ces had a hilarious story to share about how Pilya Blog magazines tend to mysteriously disappear.
“I don’t know whether I should laugh or be flattered,” she says with a grin. “One time, I sold a few copies at a party—and then poof, one of them just vanished! Someone must’ve slipped it into their bag.”
It might not be the most morally upright thing to do, but hey—when the stories are that juicy and relatable, maybe it’s no surprise someone couldn’t resist walking off with a copy.
And so the rest were history. Her number of subscribers grew in years and in this year, she will indeed celebrate its 10th year anniversary. 10 years of sharing inspiring Filipino success stories. Placing the country into the limelight and celebrating big minds in different walks of life.
Pilya Blog Magazine is more than just a publication—it’s a movement. A platform that amplifies the voices of Filipinas and Filipinos who dared to dream, migrate, and make a difference. Whether you’re a nurse, an artist, an entrepreneur, or simply someone with a story to tell, Pilya Blog makes space for you. So the next time you see a stylish, little magazine peeking out of someone’s bag—don’t be surprised if it’s Pilya Blog. Because just like its name, it’s fun, fearless, and Filipina all the way.
Written by our newest Pilya blogger, Jessamine Linhardt, BSN, RN from Bayern, Germany
WE PROUDLY PRESENT OUR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE!
A Decade of Dedication, Passion and Print
Elsa Grefaldio Hauser is our 10th Anniversary October 2025 Cover Girl. She is a Business Owner of Get-Well Travel and Travel Agent from Baden Württemberg. It is available soon. SUBSCRIBE NOW.
Plus
INTRODUCING ETHAN JONEL GROSPIETSCH, Boy Wonder in Fashion
IS IT FATE OR JUST A HANDFUL OF LUCK? Charting The Course In Life, Family, And Career Into An Unfamiliar World (Story of Janine Vergara, Filipino Nurse Immigrant) Written by Jessamine Linhardt, BSN, RN from Bayern, Germany
LAUGHTER IN TANDEM STUTTGART WITH DONITA NOSE & SUPER TEKLA BY GO EVENTS INERNATIONAL
SPORTS NEWS: MAHARLIKA LEAGUE GERMANY CUP 2025
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO OUR SPONSORS
THAT’S REALLY PILYAMAZING! Tangkilikin po natin ang sariling atin. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Maraming, maraming salamat po.
Happy 10th Pilya Blog Magazine anniversary Ces. I am happy as one of the first pilya bloggers in your magazine. It was fun. I am so sorry that I will not be able to attend the anniversary party as we have wedding in our family in the Philippines. I will bring one of our magazine at home. Hoping for more years of success.
Your pilyablogger,
Thelma