The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) underscores the continuing importance of the Filipino diaspora as a catalyst for the country’s development and other national priorities at the agency’s 45th anniversary, held at the Mariott Hotel, Pasay City.
“The Filipino diaspora has always been a strategic partner in nation-building,” CFO chairperson, Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II said.
“From remittances, philanthropy, creating trade opportunities, technology transfers, and cultural diplomacy, our permanent and long-term migrants are shaping a better future for the Philippines, in line with President Bongbong Marcos’ aspiration of a Bagong Pilipinas,” Ang added.
A full-day event dedicated to dialogue, recognition, and reflection, the milestone gathering aims to highlight the Filipino diaspora’s enduring role and growing impact on national development. With a theme “𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙤 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙨: 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨,” the anniversary forum featured three panels composed of a distinguished lineup of speakers: diplomats, migration experts, development partners, policy advocates, and overseas Filipinos themselves.
In panel one, Dr. Maruja M.B. Asis will moderate on the topic: “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.” Serving as panelists are Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary Eduardo José A. De Vega, Canadian Embassy Migration Program Manager, Ms. Melanie Pronovost, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Program Manager, Yuko Tomita, and Vice President for Teaching and Research of the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America, Inc., Ms. Rizalina Labanda.
While in panel two, Scalabrini Migration Center Research Fellow, Dr. Karen Anne S. Liao will moderate on the topic: “𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬.” Working with her as panelists are Royal Danish Embassy Ambassador, H.E. Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Filipino-Canadian comedian, Mikey Bustos.
Lastly, in panel three, Dela Salle University Professor, Dr. Ma. Divina Gracia Z. Roldan will moderate on the topic: “𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.” Working with her as panelists are Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary, Dr. Leah J. Buendia, University of the Philippines – Los Baños Adjunct Professor, Dr. Albert Remus R. Rosana, and Filipino-American Film Director Mr. Joel Nathan “Bani” Logroño.
Ang explained the idea behind the multi-paneled forum and the message that they want to convey, that the contributions of the Filipino diaspora to our development goes beyond just remittances.
“Through a series of insightful panel discussions, the forum seeks to explore key issues and opportunities surrounding migration, diaspora engagement, science and innovation, cultural exchange, global partnerships, and the lived experiences of overseas Filipinos and their families that propels our country’s development,” he added.
The Anniversary Forum was also used as a platform to thank the people behind the Commission and its partners in diaspora and development. Ang thanked everyone during the awards ceremony, giving recognition to its loyal employees.
“This celebration will not be complete without giving tribute and honor to the dedicated people behind CFO’s four and a half decades,” he added.
About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
The CFO, established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and other temporary migrants.
CFO works to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary constituents include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, individuals in exchange visitor programs, au pair participants, and children of foreign nationals with Filipino roots.
For more information regarding the event, please contact the Policy, Planning, and Research Division at email address: pprd@cfo.gov.ph
