Cristina Liamzon
Ashoka Fellow since 2014   |   Philippines

Cristina Liamzon

Cristina Liamzon is building a global community of empowered Filipino migrant workers through a leadership and education program that encourages them to become drivers of change in the Philippines or…
Read more
This description of Cristina Liamzon's work was prepared when Cristina Liamzon was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2014.

Introduction

Cristina Liamzon is building a global community of empowered Filipino migrant workers through a leadership and education program that encourages them to become drivers of change in the Philippines or in their host countries.

The New Idea

In many countries around the world, Filipinos compose some of the largest migrant worker communities. More often than not, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are employed as low-skilled labor despite having relatively high levels of education. Financial challenges in the Philippines force theseRead more

The Problem

According to a report by the International Organization on Migration (IOM), over 10 million Filipinos – more than 10% of the Philippine population – live and work abroad. Close to half of these migrants are temporary contract workers. 80% of OFWs are working in the service and production industry,Read more

The Strategy

The Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) Program aims to empower OFWs, especially those who are working in what are often referred to as 3D jobs (Dirty, Demeaning and Dangerous/Difficult). LSE’s primary objective is to help marginalized OFWs gain self-awareness and self-confidence toRead more

The Person

As a youth leader, Tina had been active in social issues during her high school days. This continued in the 1970’s as student groups and civil society fought against the corruption and abuses of the Marcos regime. After university, Tina decided to join an Asian network of civil societyRead more

Are you a Fellow? Use the Fellow Directory!

This will help you quickly discover and know how best to connect with the other Ashoka Fellows.