TFC, CFO join hands for the 2nd Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora

QUEZON CITY, Philippines - March 27, 2013 - PRLog -- ABS-CBN Global Ltd. through The Filipino Channel (TFC), in its continued mission to accompany Filipinos in their journey through life overseas, sponsored the Commission on Filipinos Overseas’ (CFO) 2nd Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora with the theme Two Years Thereafter: The Best of the Philippine Diaspora and tagline Balikbayanihan Para Sa Inang Bayan.  This year’s summit recently held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, Philippines revisited the past diaspora programs and identified highlights and areas for more participation from overseas Filipinos (OFs).
 
CFO staged the 2nd Global Summit in partnership with its co-convenors Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC) headed by business tycoon and philanthropist Atty. Loida Lewis, U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG) with Atty. Ted Laguatan as spokesperson, and the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD).  The summit proper opened with the inspiring rendition of the Philippine National Anthem and The Prayer by Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 Grand Champion Marcelito Pomoy.
 
ABS-CBN Global Ltd.’s Philippine Country Manager Edson Aguiflor said, “We are honored to have joined hands anew with CFO for this key gathering of overseas Filipinos.  Being part of this enhances our knowledge and understanding of issues relevant to OFs and responding to these with community leaders is very much aligned with our mission to serve the Filipinos worldwide.”

CFO Secretary Imelda Nicolas expressed that “TFC is the natural partner for this 2nd Global Summit.  We have been partners with TFC for years and this summit further strengthens our ties as organizations in the service of OFs in every part of the world.”

Like TFC, CFO also tapped other institutions that share CFO’s mission to promote and uphold the interests, rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos as well as preserve and strengthen their ties with Filipino communities overseas.  These organizations include the National Federation of Filipino-American Association (NaFFAA) represented by Atty. Rodel Rodis; the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFID) headed by Mr. Gene Alcantara; and the Embassy of the Philippines to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) headed by Ambassador  Grace Princesa.

Sec. Nicolas stressed that, “Consistent with our theme, we want to start a different revolution.  Every OF can be more than just a balikbayan and instead be more of an active participant of the country’s development.”

President Benigno Aquino III recognized the role of OFs in his video message played during the summit saying, “I am fully aware of just how difficult life away from our motherland. I know what it’s like to be away from my family and friends.”  He added, “Many of you have left your hearts in the Philippines. But while some of you have built new lives in foreign lands, you have maintained a strong presence here through programs like the Diaspora to Development (D2D) initiative.”


OVERSEAS VOTE

Atty. Lewis of GFDC acknowledged this contribution and noted that the Philippine government has amended current laws to make programs friendlier for overseas Filipinos and allow them to participate more in the country’s political life.  In the last elections, she pointed out that the Vice-presidency was decided only by 800,000 votes. Lewis posed the question, “Do you see then that if at least 2 million Filipinos overseas register and vote, we can be a decisive and crucial factor in the Presidential elections of 2016?  We can decide who can be the next President.”  

TFC is also in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the promotion and propagation of the Overseas Voting Act.


DIASPORA, PHILANTROPHY AND REINTEGRATION

During the Summit, two days of fruitful sessions with the expertise of guest speakers identified other issues that concern overseas Filipinos and possible solutions to these.

On the Diaspora Philanthropy and Medical Mission Coordination workshop of the summit, Bantay Bata Resource Mobilization Manager Elvira Yulo, who represented Program Director Tina Monzon Palma in the session on using media and technology to leverage on assistance, said, “With the help of TFC, overseas Filipinos find out ways to be able to help their less fortunate kababayan in the Philippines.”  

In the workshop on Return and Reintegration, ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Head Ging Reyes said that “While I had the safety net of ABS-CBN and did not have to look for jobs unlike other overseas Filipinos, I had to cope like any other Filipino distant from home.”

Other sessions included Diaspora Investment and Entrepreneurship; Global Legal Assistance and Advocacy (GLAAD); Alay-Dunong and Balik-Turo (skills and technology transfer); and Arts and Culture Exchange and Tourism Initiative.


FILIPINO ACHIEVERS

During the cultural night of the summit, the USPGG recognized the winners of the Essay Writing Contest on The West Philippine Sea.  Performances also included stirring rendition by Pilipinas Got Talent Season 1 winner Jovit Baldivino, a global achiever himself as he continues to draw crowds in TFC events worldwide.

The CFO and TFC have been long-time partners in serving Filipinos overseas.  TFC is a major sponsor for the 2nd Global Summit for Filipinos in Diaspora.