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| (Left to right) Dr. Raynard Jay Canoy, Mr. Antonio Maigue, Mr. Hans Kevin Madanguit, Mr. Robert De Ocampo, DOST Undersecretary Leah Buendia, and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel |
On June 25, 2025, the Embassy of France held the 3rd Alumni Awards Ceremony, in celebration of the annual France Alumni Day.
The Embassy of France awarded 5 notable Filipino alumni in recognition of their impact on their respective sectors: researcher and AI proponent Dr. Reynand Jay CANOY for innovation; startup founder Robert DE OCAMPO for entrepreneurship; women’s and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Hans Kevin MADANGUIT for social impact; marine scientist and professor Dr. Hazel ARCEO for sustainable development; and conservatory-trained flutist Antonio MAIGUE for culture and the arts. The ceremony also marked the 10th year of cooperation between the French Embassy and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and saw the granting of an institutional award to the DOST, represented by Undersecretary for Research & Development Dr. Leah BUENDIA, alongside a roster of DOST scholars.
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| French Ambassador Marie Fontanel with the Filipino alumni awardees, the French diplomatic corps, the French Chamber of Commerce, heads of the Filipino education sector in Commission of Higher Education chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis and DOST Undersecretary Buendia, and members of the France Alumni Philippines Association (FAPA). |
Over 50 Filipino alumni were joined by the French diplomatic corps, the French Chamber of Commerce, and heads of the Filipino education sector in Commission of Higher Education chairperson Dr. Shirley AGRUPIS and DOST Undersecretary BUENDIA. Key members of the France Alumni Philippines Association (FAPA) came in force to spearhead the event, with newly-inducted president Dr. Daniela LAUREL at the helm.
The evening culminated in a camaraderie-filled networking cocktail, during which Antonio MAIGUE serenaded guests with his interpretation of Debussy’s “Syrinx” (La Flute de Pan), followed by a duo performance of Edith Piaf’s Hymne à l’Amour with his pianist wife Mai GANSOLIN-MAIGUE.
Campus France baptized its first edition of France Alumni Day in 2023 to spotlight the network of international students who have their alma mater in France. This annual alumni rendezvous, manifest globally in 2025 across 170 events and activities from May 12 to June 30, follows a pre-determined theme, this year’s being “Talents to Change the World.”
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| FAPA president Dr. Daniela LAUREL |
The France Alumni Philippines Association (FAPA) is a non-profit organization that aims to connect and support Filipinos who have studied in France. Launched in December 2018, FAPA serves as a platform for professional networking, career development, and social interaction among alumni of French higher education institutions. It also works to strengthen ties between France and the Philippines.