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06 June 2026—UP-CIFAL Philippines commemorated its 10th anniversary through “TANGLAW: UP-CIFAL Philippines Professional Courses Alumni Homecoming”, held on 6 June 2026 at SEAMEO INNOTECH in Quezon City. The homecoming served both as a celebration of UP-CIFAL Philippines’ achievements and as a reaffirmation of its commitment to capacitating leaders and practitioners working toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In her welcome remarks, UP-CIFAL Philippines Director Michelle R. Pulumbarit recognized the Center’s decade-long journey and acknowledged the presence of its founding director, Dr. Edna E.A. Co, whose leadership was instrumental in establishing the Center and shaping its flagship professional courses. Participants were encouraged to reconnect with fellow alumni and strengthen the networks built through UP-CIFAL Philippines’ learning programs.
Delivering the President’s Message, University of the Philippines President Angelo A. Jimenez described TANGLAW as both a celebration and a reaffirmation of shared purpose. He reflected on the symbolism of “tanglaw” as a source of light amid uncertainty and complexity, emphasizing the role of UP-CIFAL Philippines in addressing pressing global challenges such as migration, water security, digital governance, cybersecurity, sustainability, and social inclusion.
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Edna E.A. Co, Founding Director of UP-CIFAL Philippines, who reflected on the Center’s establishment in 2016 and its evolution over the past decade. She recounted how the University accepted the challenge posed by the United Nations and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to advance sustainability and the SDGs through capacity-building and executive education.
Dr. Co highlighted migration as the Center’s original thematic focus, reflecting the Philippines’ significant role in global migration. She also discussed the subsequent development of professional courses on digital governance, cybersecurity, water governance, and sustainability in response to emerging development challenges.
She emphasized that the Center’s professional course model, designed to be accessible, interdisciplinary, and practitioner-oriented, has gained recognition across the global CIFAL network and inspired similar initiatives in other countries. Looking ahead, she encouraged the UP-CIFAL Philippines community to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and inclusive approaches to development.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “Bridging Theory and Practice for Real-World Impact”, which featured alumni from the Professional Course on Global Migration (PCGM), Professional Course on Water Governance (PCWG), and Professional Course on Digital Governance and Cybersecurity (PCDGC). The panelists shared how the courses shaped their work in migration governance, climate resilience, water security, digital transformation, and public service. Speakers highlighted the value of interdisciplinary learning, cross-sector collaboration, and practitioner-oriented education in translating knowledge into real-world impact.
The open forum further enriched the discussion, with distinguished migration advocate Ambassador Grace T. Princesa sharing personal reflections drawn from decades of diplomatic service and her experiences as the parent of overseas Filipino workers. She underscored the importance of migration education, protection of migrant rights, and support systems for migrant families.
Long-time migration expert Ms. Paddy Siyanga Knudsen highlighted the Philippines’ leadership in migration governance and emphasized the importance of human rights–based approaches, diaspora engagement, and stronger attention to integration and premigration support.
Participants also engaged in discussions on water resource management, groundwater sustainability, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies, demonstrating the breadth of issues addressed through UP-CIFAL Philippines’ professional courses.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Alex Mejia of UNITAR congratulated UP-CIFAL Philippines on reaching its tenth anniversary and recognized the Center as a unique and impactful member of the global CIFAL network. He commended its commitment to sustainable development, lifelong learning, and professional capacity-building.
As UP-CIFAL Philippines enters its second decade, TANGLAW serves as a powerful reminder of the Center’s enduring mission: to cultivate informed, collaborative, and action-oriented leaders who contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in the Philippines and beyond.