For Dr. Maria Luningning Ortega, an active member of the Association of Filipino Teachers and Educators in America (AFTEA), the organization’s international conference is more than a professional gathering. It is a platform that connects Filipino educators across borders and strengthens their shared mission.
“AFTEA continues to create opportunities for collaboration, research, and professional growth among educators,” Ortega said, pointing to the organization’s long-running effort to bring together teachers from the Philippines and the United States.
That mission was on full display during AFTEA’s 5th International Research and Education Conference, held June 26 to July 5 at the City University of New York’s LaGuardia Community College.
The conference, organized in collaboration with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), carried the theme “Sustainability Through Innovation: Rethinking the Futures of Education in the Age of AI.” It drew participants from the Philippines, New York, neighboring U.S. states, and Vietnam.
Founded in 2006 in Woodside, Queens, AFTEA is a nonprofit organization composed of Filipino educators in public and private schools in the United States and affiliated institutions abroad. The group focuses on advancing teaching through research, professional development, and international collaboration.
AFTEA President Dr. Roger Cuerquez said the conference reflects the organization’s mission to strengthen the teaching profession while promoting Filipino and American values. The multi-day event featured keynote speakers from leading academic and research institutions.
Among them were Dr. Mark Gregory Robson of Rutgers University; Dr. Maria Savva of CUNY LaGuardia; Dr. Chamberlain Nwanne of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Dr. Elmer-Rico Mojica of Pace University; and Dr. Griselda C. Quintana, a college president in the Philippines.
Featured speakers included Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II of USTP, who delivered a video message, Dr. Nelson P. Cabral of Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University, and Dr. Nerissa Linell Joie T. Calub of the New York City Department of Education.
Participants presented research across several areas, including teaching and learning, educational leadership, artificial intelligence in education, and community development.
Top papers and presenters were recognized during plenary sessions through the Dr. Roberto N. Padua Memorial Awards.
Among the winners for best research paper were Dr. Purity V. Mata of Cebu Technological University-Carmen, Dr. Sunday Vince V. Latergo and Dr. Noel S. Marañon of Philippine Normal University-Visayas, and Dr. Astrid L. Sinco of Xavier University.
Additional awards were given across multiple presentation tracks, highlighting innovation in STEM, AI in education, and the social sciences.
Beyond academic sessions, delegates participated in benchmarking and cultural activities designed to broaden global perspectives. These included visits to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, tours of historical sites in Boston and New York City, and a trip to Niagara Falls and Washington, D.C. Delegates also visited the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
A gala awards night held June 29 at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel recognized educators for their contributions to research and teaching. Participants said the conference provided both professional growth and international exposure.
“AFTEA is a true gateway to global opportunities,” said Dr. Alma B. Manera of Cagayan State University, who credited the organization’s support in helping facilitate her participation.
AFTEA has hosted international research conferences since 2017, building a platform for Filipino educators to share best practices and collaborate across borders, Ortega noted.
The organization continues its outreach beyond conferences. On July 27, AFTEA Deputy Vice President, Dr. Roy Mirafuentes, led a professional development workshop in Zamboanga City on applying cognitive science and thinking routines in teaching. The initiative also included financial assistance for students with disabilities, reinforcing AFTEA’s commitment to inclusive education.
Organizers said the next International Research and Education Conference is scheduled for 2028 in New York, with Saint Paul University Philippines as co-host.
As global education systems adapt to rapid technological change, AFTEA leaders said initiatives like the conference aim to equip educators with the tools and partnerships needed to navigate the evolving landscape.
