More than 100 community leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and creatives representing over 30 organisations from across the UK came together on 10 October for Sandigan 2026: UK Filipino Community Leaders’ Summit, marking Tinig UK’s sixth anniversary. Held at The Abbey Centre in Westminster, the event provided a day of networking, collaboration and learning focused on strengthening Filipino leadership and influence in the UK.
In a message of support, Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro “Teddy” Locsin Jr commended Tinig UK for helping make our voices “heard in schools, councils, workplaces, and British media where decisions about our lives are made.” Apart from being reliable workers, he told the audience:
“I want us to be known for something more: how kindly we treat one another within our own community, as if they were family and close friends.”
Teodoro “Teddy” Locsin Jr,
Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Opening the summit, Tinig UK founder Liezel Longboan encouraged participants to think beyond representation and consider how Filipino organisations can work more strategically together.
“Visibility is only the beginning. The next step is influence.”
Liezel Longboan, Tinig UK Founder and Director
She challenged attendees to reflect on how Filipino leaders and organisations could collaborate more closely to create meaningful change for kababayans in need of support. She also thanked everyone who has supported the organisation over the years, from the directors to contributors.
An intergenerational panel featuring Unison Nursing Officer Louie Horne BEM, former councillor Raymond Padilla, artist Christopher Reyes, and business owner Christie Brown drew on their diverse leadership experiences to spark a lively, audience-led discussion on building stronger connections across the Filipino community sector.
In the afternoon, attendees participated in a series of targeted workshops designed to equip them with practical skills:
From Belonging to Leadership: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Supporting Our Filipino Communities: Led by Oliver Soriano, the first Filipino chief executive nurse in the UK, who opened up the Philippine Nurses Association UK’s training programme to those working outside of health and social care.
- How to Apply to The National Lottery Community Fund: National Lottery Community Funding Officers Gigi Yacoub and Jaymie-Lee Tapsell demystified the application process for The National Lottery Community Fund.
- How to Raise Funds: Challenges and Good Practices: London Catalyst director Rosario Guimba-Stewart broke down actionable fundraising methods for charity officers and volunteers.
Intentional Capacity: From Burnout to Community Care: Facilitated by Chi Sandford and Norwyn Crame of the Kanlungan Migrant Centre.
Sandigan 2026 was brought to life by the wonderful performers Danica Fronda and Mikko Fulgencio!
Danica’s spoken word performance, touchingly dedicated to her parents, and Mikko’s impactful musical set uplifted the voice and talents of Filipinos in the UK.
Tinig UK’s first volunteer and a second-generation Filipino Briton, Naomi Edge, also moved many attendees when she shared how writing for the organisation’s website since the pandemic had deepened her sense of pride in her Filipino heritage.
Closing the event, Dr Cristina Juan, Head of the Philippine Studies Programme at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), urged participants to think beyond cultural celebrations and community festivals. She encouraged attendees to engage with questions of accountability, transparency and leadership if the Filipino community in the UK is to grow stronger and more influential.
A recurring message throughout the day was that gatherings such as Sandigan are important not only because they celebrate Filipino heritage, but because they create space for honest conversations about the challenges, aspirations and responsibilities that come with building a stronger and more connected migrant community.
