UA&P Full Professor and University Research Office Executive Director Dr. Veronica Esposo Ramirez delivered the keynote address at the Couples for Christ (CFC) Missio Amare Migranti (MAM) 2026 Annual Planning held on November 15, 2025, in Pasay City.

Speaking before MAM leaders and delegates, Dr. Ramirez honored the sacrifices of the Filipino diaspora, inviting the audience to recognize the impact of migration on countless families. She traced the long and complex history of Filipino migration—its roots, challenges, and contributions—emphasizing that today’s Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have significant contributions to host countries while also uplifting their families and communities in their home country.

Despite the challenges that OFWs face overseas, Dr. Ramirez underscored their resilience and success, saying, “Filipino migrant workers are vital agents of global development.”

Her keynote called for a shift in perspective — one that views migration not merely as an economic necessity but as a driver of human development and social transformation. She emphasized that migration, when treated with dignity and holistic care, can be “a powerful social force—capable of reshaping communities, relationships, and national identity.”

The keynote address formed part of a two-day planning workshop attended by 60 CFC MAM participants from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In the planning workshop, the participants set an agenda on how MAM’s initiative can further strengthen formation programs and reintegration efforts for migrant families. Missio Amare Migranti is the rebranded migrants program of CFC.

Dr. Ramirez (seated, center aisle) with the Couples for Christ Missio Amare Migranti participants.