CFO Meets with PSO Alumni to Discuss Potential Network Formation and Annual Gathering
Pasay City | 3 February 2026
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) met with six Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO) alumni for a kumustahan luncheon and discussion of the potential formation of a PSO alumni network on 3 February 2026 at the CFO office in Pasay City. Four of the six alumni attended the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), and are currently pursuing their undergraduate degrees in local universities; one from Al Taj International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), and one from the Philippine-Emirates Private School (United Arab Emirates); the latter two being employees of the CFO.
CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II presented the Commission’s commitment in supporting PSO alumni initiatives, proposed the formation of an alumni network, and led discussions that primarily tackled alumni experience in reintegrating to the Philippines after completing basic education in PSOs, majority of whom have grown accustomed to Arabic culture prior to return for collegiate studies — citing stereotyping prejudice, day-to-day transportation, interaction difficulty with local peers, and academic credit alignment issues, among others.
Proposed initiatives to address the aforementioned have been raised by IPSJ alumni, particularly on widening PSO alumni digital presence by producing a variety of media relevant to matters of reintegration. Furthermore, they shared how their participation to the 2019 Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) aided in their pursuit of being in touch with their Filipino culture, language, and roots.
The luncheon concluded with initial planning on a consultative meeting with PSO alumni prior to the conduct of the Association of Philippine Schools Overseas (APSO) Annual Conference on 11-13 June 2026, regarding a proposed annual gathering tentatively set in the latter months of 2026.
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As Secretariat to the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas (IAC-PSO), per Executive Order No. 252, series of 2000, the CFO implements timely initiatives going beyond regulation, and promote engagement with overseas Filipino youth in the diaspora.
Photo credits: Mr. Gerardo N. Carual (OSec)
