Notable AFS alumni - Philippines

AFS ALUMNI ARE MAKING AN IMPACT ACROSS INDUSTRIES, IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS AND AT THE FOREFRONT OF IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL CAUSES. FOR SOME, HELPING OTHERS IS THEIR LIFE’S WORK. FOR MANY, VOLUNTEERISM AND SOCIAL ACTION ARE CENTRAL TO THEIR PERSONAL VALUES.

IN OVER 70+ YEARS OF AFS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS, OUR ALUMNI HAVE GONE ON TO ACHIEVE SOME IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THEIR CAREERS. HERE IS A (BY NO MEANS EXTENSIVE) LIST OF SOME OF AFS ALUMNI ARE:

“My years with AFS have taught me that there are different ways of achieving the same goal. That is extremely important to build a global consensus for environmental objectives. Although everyone wants a healthy planet, different cultures see different paths for achieving that goal.”

—Pedro de Castro da Cunha e Menezes (Brazil)

Who are AFS's notable alumni?

AFS alumni are making an impact across industries, in the private and public sectors and at the forefront of important international issues and social causes. For some, helping others is their life’s work. For many, volunteerism and social action are central to their personal values. In over 60+ years of AFS study abroad programs, all the impressive accomplishments of our alumni are too many to list.

Growing up in a household with poor living conditions, Antonio “Tony” Meloto was motivated on eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity among people through the creation of a multi-billion peso house-building NGO, Gawad Kalinga. The Gawad Kalinga became a multi awarded Community Development Foundation that focuses on building integrated, holistic and sustainable communities in slum areas. In 2006, he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his embodiment of the ideals of courageous service to the people and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

Lina Laigo received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from PWU and her Master’s Degree in Communications in Social Development from the University of Chicago. Her previous careers include becoming the appointed Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), managing the guidance and counseling centers of three campuses in PWU, serving as the Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children, and establishing the PWU Institute of Family Life and Children Studies.

Through his dedication, Art Valdez was able to revive a near-bankrupt trucking company in Negros and even managed to bring in 1,500 sakadas from Negros to harvest sugarcane in Cagayan Valley before the rainy season. In 1966, due to leadership skills, he was appointed as the undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication by former President Fidel Ramos. Aside from leading the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition, he represented the Philippines in the Middle East when he was sent as a special envoy in 2007.

Devoting his time and resources, Hector Dimacali has helped AFS Philippines in delivering its goals and aspirations towards a peaceful world. He is currently the Vice-President of the AFS Philippines, Chairman of Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Director of First Sumiden Circuits, Inc., First Batangas Hotel Corporation and First Philippine Realty Development Corporation, and President and General Manager of the First Philippine Industrial Park, Inc. He asserts that “the continuous pursuit of organizational excellence through excellent people management practices, quality systems and processes, and world-class facilities and services” enables companies to rise up to needs of the times.

Former Miss Universe third runner-up, Shamcey Supsup-Lee once dreamt of becoming a teacher. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of the Philippines and topped the architecture board exam. Advocating for “free and quality education for all”, she believes that this could be achieved through imparting experiential learning and its hands-on methods. Currently, she is balancing her life as an entrepreneur, a wife and a mother of two.

Acclaimed allergologist and immunologist, Dr. Manuel Canlas was named among the Ten Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines in 1984 for his medicinal practice. The TOYM is an institution that selects outstanding men and women between the ages of 18 to 40 for their selfless dedication to their vocation resulting in significant contributions to the welfare of their countrymen and the advancement of their fields of endeavour.