To mark its 6th anniversary, Tinig UK is hosting Sandigan 2026: 1st Filipino Community Leaders’ Summit, taking place on Saturday, 3 October 2026.
This landmark event will, for the first time, unite Filipino community (FilCom) leaders across civil society, business, healthcare, the arts, law, and other sectors to address pressing issues facing migrants and celebrate the growing contributions of Filipinos across the UK.
Anchoring on the Filipino word “sandigan” which means “pillar” or “stronghold”, Sandigan 2026 aims to bring together representatives from over 200 Filipino organisations, big and small, registered with the Philippine Embassy .
Uniting a flourishing diaspora
Filipinos currently represent the largest Southeast Asian community in the UK, with over 200,000 living and working across the country. While long recognised as a vital backbone of essential services — particularly within the NHS, social care, and hospitality sectors — the community’s influence is rapidly expanding into business, politics, the arts, and elite sports, highlighted by high-profile figures like singer Beabadoobee and Olympic gymnast Jake Jarman.
Despite this growing impact and the presence of hundreds of active charities and associations, local leaders rarely have a dedicated space to connect, collaborate and address systemic issues together.
Sandigan 2026 is Tinig UK’s response to address this gap.
“Tinig UK has always been about building collective strenght,” said Liezel Longboan, founder and strategy lead of Tinig UK. “We’ve been hearing Filcom leaders’ desire to meet and discuss collective concerns. This summit creates the long overdue space for our community leaders to connect and collaborate and to shape the future of Filipinos in Britain.”
Summit highlights
Sandigan 2026 will feature an interactive and collaborative activities designed to inspire action and long-term partnership among attendees:
Multigenerational Panel Discussion: Prominent leaders from the arts, healthcare, business, and non-profit sectors will reflect on the community’s historical progress, current achievements, and structural challenges.
Workshops & Advisory Sessions: Expert-led discussions focusing on strategic leadership, mental health and wellbeing, employment rights, legal advice, and financial literacy.
Grassroots Networking Hub: Dedicated spaces connecting regional groups, associations, and charities from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.
Cultural & Heritage Showcase: A celebration of contemporary Filipino identity, creative arts, and culinary heritage.
Event registration
Sandigan 2026 invites all FilCom leaders and officers, advocates, entrepreneurs and allies to take part in shaping the future of the diaspora.
Spaces for delegates are limited. Click here to register.
For sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
