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OCTOBER 2025
PRESS RELEASE
CFO’s move to new headquarters a ‘moment of renewal for diaspora service
PASAY CITY — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) on Friday, 3 October 2025 officially inaugurated and blessed its new national headquarters at Nexgen Tower in Pasay City, a move CFO Chairperson, Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, hailed as a "strategic upgrade and a moment of renewal for the entire Commission on Filipinos Overseas."
Ang said the relocation was a "carefully calculated strategic decision" aimed at maximizing convenience for the CFO's constituents.
By situating the office in Pasay City, the CFO is now closer to critical government and diplomatic institutions, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and numerous foreign embassies and diplomatic missions.
"Our new address here in Pasay City brings the CFO closer to the crucial migration gateway," Ang said.
"Aspiring migrants can more conveniently access all the services and transactions required for their migration journey in one area. This is how we provide greater convenience."
Commitment to staff and taxpayers
Ang used the occasion to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the CFO staff during the transition.
“To our administrative staff and our dedicated utility personnel, you are the unsung heroes of this relocation,” he stated, thanking them for the monumental feat of logistics involved in moving the agency to Pasay City.
He also thanked all CFO personnel for navigating the "birthing pains" of settling into a new home with "patience and cooperation," and noted that while a few matters are still being fixed, the majority of the challenge is now behind them.
Furthermore, the strategic decision was cited as being fiscally responsible. The move translates to a 10 percent decrease in the CFO's rental fees, providing "taxpayers their money’s worth." The new facility also offers more adequate parking for frontline services and visiting stakeholders.
He also emphasized that the strategic relocation should serve as a springboard for greater accessibility, supporting the continued push for more extension offices across the country, building on the success of the new Cagayan de Oro branch.
The CFO conducts the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP), and the Country Familiarization Seminar (CFS). The PDOS, also available through online appointments, is a requirement for outbound permanent resident card holders or those with immigrant, resident, or J1 visas. On the other hand, the GCP serves the spouses, partners, and fiances of foreign nationals, while the CFS is specifically designed for Au Pairs bound to Europe.
About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (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, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.
The CFO, which is an agency under the Office of the President, works to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, individuals under the Exchange Visitor Program, au pair participants bound for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.
For more information, please contact Atty. Jan Karlo Magracia of the Office of the Secretary at jkmagracia@cfo.gov.ph.
COMMUNITY NEWS - OCTOBER 20255
Community Events to mark Filipino American History Month (FAHM)
OCTOBER is the mandated celebration of Filipino American History Month but events marking FAHM starts this month, this was announced by Ruben Salazar, of the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago (FAHSC).
The theme for this year is “From Quotas to Communities: Filipino American Migration and Movement”Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the 1935 Filipino Repatriation Act and the 60th Anniversary of the 1965 Immigration & Naturalization Act. For the full description of our #FAHM2025 theme at http://bit.ly/3I6pScu.
(FAHSC and FANHS Chicago invite you to get involved and help us to plan events and to update our display at the FAHSC Museum in celebration of Filipino American History Month--email us at fanhs.greaterchicago@gmail.com or contact Tito Ruben at (630)379-9636.
The following upcoming events posted and updated in our website - https://fanhschicago.wordpress.com/events
- Thu Oct 2 4:30pm to 8:00pm - HaloHalo Project Celebrate FAHM Opening at the Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library 400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605. This project is a celebration of the Filipino-American experience, its traditions, its evolution in the diaspora, and its contributions to the cultural fabric of Chicago.
- Fri Oct 3, 630pm to midnight - SAVE THE DATE Filipino Friendship 50th and FAHSC celebrate FAHM. Crystal Gardens 12416 South Archer Ave Lemont, IL
- Sun Oct 5, 1pm to 4pm - Call for Volunteers at the FAHSC Museum. Call for Volunteers. Tasks include planning & preparing for the FAHM exhibit in October.
- Sat Oct 11 9:00am - 4:30pm - HaloHalo Project Celebrate FAHM at the Sulzer Regional Library, Chicago Public Library
- Sat Oct 18 - DocFilms at University of Chicago would like to host a program screening our NFPF films on October 18- this would be in partnership with Kababayan Association
- Sat Oct 18 to Sun Oct 19 - OPEN HOUSE Chicago. Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is proud to host Open House Chicago (OHC)—a free public festival that instills civic pride through providing access to places of architectural, historical and cultural significance, and highlights businesses, organizations and creative leaders making positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.
- Sun Oct 19, 2pm to 5pm - SAVE THE DATE - Formal Opening of the FAHM Exhibit at the FAHSC Museum.
- Fri Oct 24 to Sat Oct 25 - Symposium on Philippine Lives under Early Spanish Rule at the Newberry Library with special guest Ambeth Ocampo.
- Sat Oct 25 - SAVE THE DATE Journey Chicago presents International Game Day At the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe
Historian Ambeth Ocampo at Newberry Library, Oct 25
PROF. Ambeth Ocampo will discuss various materials documenting Philippine heritage held on Saturday, Oct. 25, 11:00-12:00 pm., at the Rettinger Hall of Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, Chicago 60610.
Newberry houses significant historical materials documenting Philippine heritage. Prof. Ocampo reveals these treasures which include an important 18th-century map of the Philippines, a rare late 19th-century printed copy of the Philippine National Anthem, and manuscripts of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Through Prof. Ocampo's guidance, discover how these archival materials connect Filipino past and present, transforming obscure historical documents into vibrant sources of cultural understanding. For Filipinos today, both in the homeland and abroad, these collections offer unexpected pathways to rediscovering their heritage - one simply needs to know where to look.
Prof. Ocampo is one of the Philippines' most distinguished historians and public intellectuals. A former chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, he is renowned for making Philippine history accessible and engaging through his popular newspaper columns, numerous books, and lectures.
His scholarship focuses particularly on the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal and the Philippine Revolution, bringing fresh perspectives to well-known historical figures and events.
This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Renaissance Studies at the Newberry. This program is free and open to all. Advance registration. Call us at (312) 255-3592.
PIWC 2027 overall chair election, Oct. 5
TWO long-time volunteers of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) will vie for the 2026 chair on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1pm-4pm, this was learned from the PIWC Comelec chair, Edwin Pineda, who disclosed that Geraldine Taguba-Gaden and Lodi Po had both filed the required certificates of candidacy.
The winner will be designated as the chair-elect following Reynel Espiritu who is due to serve as the 2026 PIWC Chairman.
The election will take place at Dunkin’ Donuts, 7039 W. Dempster St., Niles, IL. For details, call Edwin Pineda at (773) 396-6231
AFIRE Piyesta sa Pamayanan for FAHM!, Oct. 11
FILIPINO-American History Month is right around the corner and this year, AFIRE is hosting Piyesta sa Pamayanan on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 11am to 3pm. A community gathering for healing and rejuvenation! Even in challenging times, we know we must also create the spaces for our joy and the care needed to sustain the work. We are prioritizing healing and restoration because our community leaders and members really need it right now. Join us on 10/11 for restorative and healing practices through movement and art. Register at tinyurl.com/afire-piyesta to support planning. HANA Center is located at 4300 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618.
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