ABOUT OUR JOURNEY
Mission and Vision
The organization aims not only to strengthen the Filipino spirit in a foreign land but also to recognize and appreciate the beauty of other cultures, especially that of Korea. Moreover, the organization commits itself to the following:
- Assisting Filipino students in settling into their new life in Korea through the sharing of personal experiences and passing on helpful “survival tips during the various stages of their stay;
- Encouraging social and intellectual exchange, fellowship and community between and among Filipino students in Korea;
- Instilling a firm sense of nationalism and service to the country among Filipino students in Korea;
- Promoting positive Filipino identity, culture, and tourism to the international community in partnership with the Philippine Embassy and other Filipino organizations;
- Maintaining close ties with the students in the Philippines, especially those who have plans on studying in Korea; and
- Serving as an accurate source of information about Korea in general and educational opportunities and limitations in the said country in particular.
Organization History:
PIKO started out in the summer of 2005 when the Labor Attaché in the Philippine Embassy suggested that an organization of students is formed as there are already active Filipino migrant organizations in Korea. From 2005 to 2006, Dr. Dennis K. Gomez and his Filipino colleagues at Seoul National University (SNU) tried to build a network of Filipino students and academicians all over South Korea. In late 2006, they met up with a group of 50 students and set up an Interim Steering Committee before holding the first formal election of the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea, Inc, or PIKO, Inc. (Organization of Filipino Scholars, Inc). Finally, in December 2006, PIKO held its first-ever General Assembly. PIKO had the vision that it can expand to promote the more active participation of Filipino academicians in cultural activities in Korea.
On its 13 years of existence, PIKO has been serving Filipino students all over South Korea. Also, the organization has connected with more students because of the creation of nine regional chapters from the different parts of the country, namely: Busan, Cheonan, Daegu, Daejeon-Chungbuk, Gwangju, Jinju, Seoul, Suwon-Yongin, and Wonju.
And to continue its vision and mission, the organization continues to conduct activities that promote unity and camaraderie, exchange of information, and studies between students. Other activities were dedicated to cultural events as well as social issues that concern the Filipino community, and the Philippines.
The organization will remain adaptive to changes in the Korean and Philippine societies to carry on its duties to its members, the Philippine Embassy, the Filipino communities, and the Republic of the Philippines. The organization will continue to strive to become a better platform for students to express their thoughts and ideas. And PIKO will continue to raise the Philippine flag high and proud.
2021-2022 Executive Committee:
- Alfredo Alcantara Jr., President (Combined MS & Ph.D. in Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University)
- Joseph Vermont Bandoy, Vice President (D.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
- Reibelle Q. Raguindin, Secretary (Combined MS & Ph.D. in Energy Science and Technology, Myongji University)
- Bianca Valeen O. Pilipina, Business Manager (Global MBA, Chung Ang University Seoul Campus)
- Angela Demegillo, Treasurer (International and Area Studies, Pusan National University)
- Kenneth Lagamayo, PRO (MS in Oceanography, Inha University)
- Jeremiah Evangelista, PRO (Techno-MBA, KAIST - Seoul)
- Regional Representatives
- Deondre Martin T. Ng, Chungbuk-Daejeon (Ph.D. in Electronical Engineering, KAIST)
- Mei Lin Valencia, Seoul (Ph.D. in Addiction Science, Sahmyook University)
- Paula Cammayo, Jinju (Ph.D. in Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University)
- Jasper Madalipay, Jellado (Ph.D. in Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
- Maria Victoria Faith Garcia, Busan/Ulsan/Jeju (Ph.D in Health Science and Technology, Inje University)
- Arxel Elnar, Cheonan (MS-PhD in Animal Biotechnology Major in Animal Material Engineering Chung Ang University - Anseong Campus)
- Lara Jeunesse Villaruel, Wonju (Yonsei University-Mirae Campus)
PIKO Advisers:
- Lyza Maria Viejo (Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, South Korea)
- Jasmine Lee (President, Filipino-Korean Heritage Association)
- Aileen Park (Research Fellow, Asian Center for Women’s Studies, Ewha Womans University)
- Jeoffrey Calimag (Professor, Ulsan University of Global Management)
- Jubert Marquez (PhD in Medicine, Inje University)
