MANILA, Philippines (January 27, 2015) – Are balikbayans now returning to the motherland for good? Whether it’s for professional growth, familial ties, or personal relations, more and more Filipinos are now buying a one-way-ticket back to the Philippines. And we’re not just talking about Manila.
31-yr-old social innovation consultant and artist Jo Anne Coruña, returned from seven years of studies and work in the U.S. Leaving the rest of her family in the Bay Area, Jo Anne came to the Philippines to give back to the country and start a family. Now, she, her husband, Dr. Chinkin Coruña, a top orthopedic surgeon, and their toddler daughter Sofia are enjoying the simpler life in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. Professionally, Jo Anne works for Ashoka Philippines, the largest global network of social entrepreneurs through which she searches for Filipino changemakers that the foundation could support. In addition, Coruña was so inspired by the beauty and life in the Philippines, she even started the art portal, AllThingsPilipinas.com.
Citing the Philippines recent economic development as trend booster, Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) says, “This is a trend that continues to increase, and that’s good news. We have always encouraged Overseas Filipinos to come to the Philippines whether for a visit or to stay for good.”
“While we appreciate the remittances of our kababayans abroad that contribute to the country’s GDP while helping support their families, their will to share their talents and passions within the homeland is their greatest gift,” she added.
Nicolas also remembers to push and use the term “Overseas Filipinos” instead of “OFWs” to include people who live abroad, but not for work – unlike the OFWs or Temporary Migrants who are expected to return to the Philippines after their employment contract ends. There are also the permanent residents and naturalized citizens of other countries (Permanent Migrants), and those who are abroad not because of employment but may be undocumented (Irregular Migrants).
As of December 2012, of the 10.5M Overseas Filipinos, 47% (or 4.9M) are Permanent Migrants, 40% (or 4.2M) are Temporary Migrants and 13% (or 1.36M) are Irregular Migrants.
For dual Citizen and Silicon Valley visionary Dado Banatao, he spends a significant amount of time in helping the country. As the Chair of Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev), an engineer and a venture capitalist, he works with the Philippine government and academe in creating R&D programs that generates experts in science and engineering enabling the country to build the foundation of a technology-based economy to foster a sustainable high-growth economy. Working with USAID and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), PhilDev conducts symposia and workshops in Innovation and Entrepreneurship for entrepreneurs, senior level engineering students, and university professors. Mentoring startups run by Filipino entrepreneurs is also a recent but growing need that PhilDev is allocating a significant amount of time.
The examples of Banatao and Coruña are exactly what CFO has been working for. With its Diaspora to Development (or D2D) programs such as Alay Dunong (sharing knowledge and skills), Balik Turo (coming home to teach or mentor), foreign medical coordination, arts and educational exchanges, the Commission offers every Filipino overseas not only reasons to go back but also ways to give back.
“It seems that they have heeded our call for the past five years: Magbalikbayanihan tayo. Ang kakayahan at kaalaman, ibalik sa bayan! (Let’s go back and work together for the country. Our skills and knowledge, let’s give back to the motherland!).” Nicolas added.
In line with this call is a major initiative of the CFO: the 3rd Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora from February 25 to 27, 2015 in Manila. With the theme “Vision and Action for the Diaspora, 2015 and Beyond,” the 3-day session is expected to attract hundreds of community leaders from all over the world. They will participate in networking and planning sessions with compatriots who have made the Philippines their home and enhance their engagement in the development of the Philippines.
The Third Global Summit is supported by the The Filipino Channel (TFC), The Medical City (TMC), Vibal Group of Companies, Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and Manila Hotel. Marketing partners are DDB Philippines, LINKPAD Inc. and Creative Minds Strategic Media and Marketing Inc. For more details about the 3GS, please visit www.3gs.cfo.gov.ph, email d2d@cfo.gov.ph or call (632) 552-4795 / (632) 552-4764 / (63917) 587-2164 or follow www.facebook.com/3rd-Global-Summit.
