AFS IPP Dapitan Community

28/04/2026

Curious about our Partial Scholarships? 👀

Get all your questions answered at the upcoming AFS Philippines Info Session happening on April 20, 2026 (Monday), 6:00 PM via Zoom.

Learn more about the AAI Partial Scholarships, including available countries, program details, and application process. This is a great opportunity to explore how you can make studying abroad possible with AFS Philippines!

Simply scan the QR code or check the link in the comments to secure your spot!

28/04/2026

28/04/2026

We are thrilled to announce that the AFS Effect+ for the Classroom program has entered its final phase for the 2025-26 program cycle.

This year, 300 dedicated educators across 51 countries have undergone a rigorous journey:
- Chapter 1: Developing personal Global Competence via the AFS Global Competence Certificate
- Chapter 2: Integrating SDG education into the classroom using the AFS Educator Toolkit.
- The Finale: Facilitating student-led social impact projects focused on the UN SDGs.

Students are now preparing their submissions for the 2026 Sir Cyril Taylor Young Leaders Awards, an initiative honoring the namesake of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, whose generous support makes the Effect+ program possible.

At AFS, we celebrate the dedication of these educators who are not just teaching—but empowering students to solve real-world challenges. Stay tuned for the project reveals!

02/03/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥: 𝐀 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

On February 14, 2026, while the world celebrated Valentine’s Day, our AFS Exchange Student from Panama, Diego Isaac Pinzon Cruz, spent the day discovering the heart of his new home through a meaningful Heritage Tour in Dapitan City.

The journey began at the Dapitan City New Government Center and continued along the Heritage Trail, tracing the footsteps of our National Hero, José Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. Each stop unfolded stories of courage, intellect, and patriotism, allowing Diego to immerse himself in the rich history that shapes the Shrine City today.

Leading the tour was AFS IPP Dapitan Community Chapter President Mx. Melvin R. Inding, together with School Coordinator Ms. Rica O. Rosal, Volunteers Coordinators Ms. Cynthia Rosal and Ms. Marry Ann Maghinay, and Ms. Filamie Joy Sami, AFS IPP Dapitan Student Volunteer and JRMSU Student Global Ambassador. The heritage experience was further enriched by the insightful guidance of Ms. Sophia Bagolboc, Museum Curator of Rizal Park and Shrine.

Beyond the historical landmarks, the day offered Diego his first true cultural immersion as he experienced riding a local bao bao for the very first time. More than just transportation, it became a memorable introduction to the everyday rhythm and charm of Filipino community life.

From classroom lessons to cobblestone paths of history, this Valentine’s Day was not only about celebration, but about connection. Connection to culture. Connection to history. Connection to people.

In Dapitan, love is not only in the air. It is in our heritage, our stories, and the bridges we build across cultures.

𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐬, 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨.
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 🌏✨

24/02/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬

The long voyage across continents has led to this unforgettable day. Last February 13, 2026, Diego Isaac Pinzon Cruz officially arrived in the Shrine City of Dapitan, touching down at Dipolog Airport to begin his intercultural journey with 𝐀𝐅𝐒 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 under the vibrant 𝐀𝐅𝐒 𝐈𝐏𝐏 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

With warm smiles and open hearts, the welcoming team stood ready to embrace him into his new home. Leading the reception was Community Chapter President Mx. Melvin R. Inding, together with Advisor and Hosting Coordinator Mr. Ali Del Rio, School Coordinator Ms. Rica O. Rosal, the enthusiastic JRMSU Global Ambassadors / AFS IPP Dapitan Angels, and his gracious Host Family, Sir Jovito Anito and Atty. Pamela Rubi-Anito.

From 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 to 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧, this arrival marks more than a change in geography. It is the meeting of cultures, the sharing of traditions, and the building of lifelong friendships. For the next ten months, Dapitan becomes Diego’s classroom, community, and second home — a place where he will live, learn, serve, and grow.

Today, a student arrives.
Tomorrow, a cultural bridge is strengthened.

𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧, 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐚𝐜. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐅𝐒 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰🌏✨

21/02/2026

13/02/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

The journey across oceans has led to this very moment. Today, 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧, stepping into a new chapter filled with discovery, friendship, and intercultural connection.

As his plane touched down at Dipolog Airport, anticipation turned into reality. Smiles widened, hands reached out, and the vibrant spirit of 𝐀𝐅𝐒 𝐈𝐏𝐏 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 came alive to welcome him home. From Panama to Mindanao, this arrival is more than a change of place. It is the meeting of histories, cultures, and dreams.

Dapitan, rich in heritage and heart, now becomes Diego’s home for the next ten months. Here, he will not only study, but live, share, learn, and grow. His arrival marks the beginning of stories that will bridge 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, woven together by the AFS mission of intercultural understanding and global citizenship.

Today, a traveler arrives.
Tomorrow, a cultural bridge is built.

𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧, 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐅𝐒 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰.

10/02/2026

Some places welcome you.
A rare few transform you.
And then there are places that change you by teaching you how to belong.

Recognized as a 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 and a 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, Dapitan is a town where history is lived, not displayed. Shaped by the legacy of 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝘀é 𝗥𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹 and generations of culture bearers, it is a place where values, faith, and community life remain strong. You arrive curious. You leave connected. In between, you grow through people, stories, and shared humanity. You do not simply find Dapitan. Dapitan finds you.

For more than a decade, 𝗔𝗙𝗦 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 has made this town a meaningful home for intercultural learning. Known for its rich culture and deep history, 𝗗𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, making it an ideal environment for exchange students and volunteers. Here, learning happens beyond classrooms through host family life, local traditions, and everyday interactions grounded in care and respect.

One such story is 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗲 “𝗕𝗲𝗻𝘇” 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗴 from 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱. Through shared meals, faith, traditions, and the sincere warmth of her host family and the local community, Dapitan became a place of belonging and a meaningful chapter of her journey.

Also part of this shared experience is 𝗘𝗴𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗻 Ö𝘇𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗲ş from 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘆. Though his stay in Dapitan was short, it was rich in meaning. He experienced Filipino hospitality, school life, cultural practices, and the genuine kindness of the community, leaving with lasting connections and understanding.

Under the leadership of 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗥. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 of 𝗔𝗙𝗦 𝗜𝗣𝗣 𝗗𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, these stories continue to grow through volunteerism, service, and global friendship. We look forward to welcoming more exchange students and volunteers who wish to learn, share, and grow in a town where culture, history, and humanity come together.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻?
Because here, intercultural learning is lived, felt, and remembered.

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Photo was taken at 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘆 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 in 𝗗𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻, a heritage house that celebrates local history, arts, and community stories. Balay Hamoy serves as a cultural space where the past and present meet, making it a fitting place to capture moments of intercultural connection and shared learning.

03/02/2026

Your chance to explore the world starts here! 🌏

Join our AFS PHI Scholarships 2026 Info Session and get all the details you need, including how to apply, requirements, processes, and insider tips to boost your chances!

Learn about amazing opportunities like the Asia Kakehashi Project+ and AFS AAI partial scholarships!

Don’t miss out—save your spot now. Just scan the QR code to register!