COMMISSION on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Ang II was recognized as Asia’s Modern Hero for his work in strengthening the Philippines’ relations with Filipino communities overseas.
Ang received the “Advancing Philippine Diaspora Relations” award during the Asia’s Modern Hero Awards 2026 presented by the Golden Icons Foundation, which cited his leadership and contributions to deepening engagement between the Philippine government and Filipino communities around the world.
In accepting the recognition, Ang dedicated the award to the men and women of the CFO, and the Filipino communities and organizations working with the commission to sustain diaspora engagement.
“I accept this award not only in my name, but on behalf of the men and women of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, whose work every day brings us closer to Filipino communities around the world,” he said.
The CFO focuses on engagement with permanent and long-term migrants, expatriates, dual citizens, marriage migrants, their descendants and other people of Filipino descent, collectively referred to by the commission as Non-Resident Filipinos (NRFs).
Ang said Filipinos who have established lives abroad can continue contributing to the Philippines through their knowledge, expertise, networks, resources and experience.
“Our work is anchored on a simple but important principle: Filipinos do not stop being part of our national community simply because they have built their lives overseas,” he said.
The commission provides avenues for diaspora participation through programs like Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino and Youth Leaders in the Diaspora.
Ang said the commission’s efforts support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of making migration a choice rather than a necessity, while keeping Filipinos overseas connected to the country and providing opportunities for them to contribute to national and local development.
Sustained diaspora engagement could translate migration experiences into opportunities for families and communities through investments, knowledge-sharing, philanthropy, skills transfer and other partnerships, he said.
“The continuing engagement of our NRFs can help turn migration experience into stronger opportunities for families, communities and local development,” Ang said.
He described the award as both an honor and a responsibility, saying it underscored the importance of strengthening government engagement with Filipinos overseas.
Ang called for more opportunities for NRFs to participate in development initiatives, stressing that the Filipino diaspora should be recognized not only for its economic contributions but also for the knowledge, expertise, networks, philanthropy and experience it can bring to the country.
