Philippines

The International Fellowships Program-Philippines Alumni Association (IFPPAA) is an organization of alumni from the Philippines. Fellows who have completed their academic programs and/or have been repatriated to the country from their studies abroad are considered members of the organization.

Vision:

A dynamic community of Filipino professionals who are committed to the attainment of sustainable development, human rights and social justice

Mission & Objectives:

1. Strengthening the professional capacity of Alumni
• Establish a communication network
• Conduct research and other activities for the professional enhancement of alumni
• Raise the profile of alumni through conferences, workshops and training programs
• Create a pool of experts from within the association
• Facilitate exchange visits among alumni in the Philippines and in the Asia/Russia region
2. Empowering communities for sustainable development and social justice
• Raise public awareness
• Mobilize human, technical, and financial resources
• Influence policy makers
• Enhance the capacity of communities through workshops, training programs, and seminars
3. Building partnerships and linkages with other sectors in initiating and directing social change
• Forge linkages with service providers, stakeholders and donors
• Generate a database of resource organizations
• Collaborate with various actors for community development

Equipped with higher academic degrees and meaningful experiences from their postgraduate studies in universities in the Philippines and abroad, the alumni are confident that they can contribute in a significant way towards meaningful and positive changes in their communities and the country as a whole.

The IFPPAA is working to further strengthen the professional capacity of its members to effectively pursue their collective mission of altering the social contexts in their communities to make them conducive to social justice. By conducting research and undertaking socially relevant academic projects, the organization is committed to do its share in contributing towards the Ford Foundation’s goal of social development and justice. Aside from developing a strong solidarity among its members, the initial project of IFPPAA shall also open up possibilities of collaborating with other IFP alumni organizations in Asia and the rest of the world.

On November 20, 2008, the IFP Philippines Alumni Association (IFPPAA) was formally launched at the Torre Venezia Hotel in Quezon City, with 56 Alumni participants. The occasion was graced by members of the IFP Philippines National Advisory Board and National Selection Panel. The IFP Regional Director for Asia and Russia Programs, Dr. Mary Zurbuchen, delivered a talk on the status of IFP alumni associations in other countries in the region.

Organizational Structure

The National Council

The IFPPAA is headed by a National Council which serves as the policy-making body of the association with four officers.  

The Council is composed of five (5) committees, namely:

1. Committee on Project Devaluation and Evaluations
• Head:  Peter Bellen, Cohort 2002
• Member: Michael Caňares, Cohort 2005
2. Membership Committee
• Head: Analyn B. Alenton, Cohort 2005
• Member: Jay Santos, Cohort 2005
3. Finance Committee
• Head: Michael Caňares, Cohort 2002
4. Committee on Capability Building
• Head:  Alih Aiyub, Cohort 2002
• Member: Valeriano Clamonte, Cohort 2004
5. Committee on Networking and Linkaging
• Head: Rosella Camte-Bahni, Cohort 2005
• Member:  Macmod Datugan, Cohort 2005

Each of the prominent regions in the country are adequately represented with representatives from each region. The association works closely with IFP-Philippines in all its projects.

• Northern Luzon
  Rosella Camte-Bahni, Cohort 2005
  Regina Cristina Sampaga, Cohort 2004

• Southern Luzon
  Peter Bellen, Cohort 2002
  Pacita Fortin, Cohort 2005

• Central Luzon
  Jay Santos, Cohort 2005
  Alan Ibale, Cohort 2005

• National Capital Region
  Emanuel de Guzman, Cohort 2002
  Trixie Ann Clemente, Cohort 2005

• Visayas
  Michael Caňares, Cohort 2005
  Robert Estoconing, Cohort 2004

• Southern Mindanao
  Valeriano Clamonte Jr., Cohort  2004
  Marcela Balao, Cohort 2005

• Northern Mindanao
  Annalyn B. Alenton, Cohort 2005
  Rudy Rodil, Cohort 2004

• Central Mindanao
  Macmod Datugan, Cohort 2005
  Ebrahim Abo, Cohort 2002

• Western Mindanao
  Alih Aiyub, Cohort 2002
  Jose Policarpio Jr., Cohort 2004

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (ExeCom) is the implementing arm of the association.  The ExeCom assures that all activities and projects approved by the National Council are being carried out properly.

The Officers
President: Rudy Buhay Rodil, Cohort 2004
Vice President: Carlota Francisco, Cohort 2002
Secretary: Jo-Rex Camba, Cohort 2004
Finance: Jane Austria-Young, Cohort 2004

Recent Activities

Three IFP alumni from Central Mindanao, namely Dr. Alimen (Al) Sencil, Mr. Macmod (Macky) Datugan and Mr. Ebrahim (Ebs) Abo have been actively involved in peace advocacy related activities in Mindanao since 5th of December last year when they organized and conducted a peace forum  at the University Gymnasium, University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Kabacan, Cotabato. Prof. Rudy Rodil, another IFP alumnus and the Vice Chair of the dissolved Philippine Peace Panel talking peace to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) since 1997, served as the speaker of the forum. 

Attended by hundreds of enthusiastic professionals, students, local government officials and community leaders from the Municipality of Kabacan and neighboring communities in Cotabato province, the forum was meant to: (1) update the participants on the Mindanao problem and the peace process; (2) broaden their understanding of the problem, and, (3) solicit their views on alternative solutions that may address the problem.

In January 20 this year, Al and Macky joined a group of 60 religious leaders and peace advocates in the “interfaith dialogue among Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Philippines and the United States of America”. Sponsored by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, the dialogue was held at the D.D. Clemente Hall, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato purposely to exchange views on the role religions may play during the peace process.

Last February 18-19, Al participated in the “Mindanao Civil Society Organizations Peace Summit” held at the El Manuel Convention Center, Cotabato City. Sponsored by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), Kutawato Regional Management Committee (KRMC) and Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), the summit aimed to: (1) enhance awareness of the participants on the general and actual situation of the Bangsamoro, vis-à-vis the peace process; (2) foster unity and understanding among the participants and the organizations they represent, in order to maximize delivery of services; (3) level off directions to complement and optimize programs that are best suited to the needs of the Bangsamoro peoples; and, (4) come up with programs and strategies that can harness peaceful, just and speedy resolution of the Mindanao problem. (AWS)

Upcoming Activities

This 2009, the Central Mindanao IFP alumni group commits to intensify its participation in peace-related activities. In fact, the group has proposed a number of activities for possible implementation in coordination and collaboration with other GOs and NGOs advocating peace. These activities include: (1) Mindanao peace dialogue among students of diverse cultural orientations; (2) exploration of alternative peace formula for Mindanao involving representatives from the Moros, Highlanders and Christian settlers; (3) Interfaith discourse on the establishment of just coexistence in Mindanao; and, (4) inter-organization resource mobilization for Mindanao peace.