Founded on May 12, 2008, Makabayan Georgia, Inc. represents a vibrant community of Filipino-American residents and supporters in Duluth, GA who are passionate about making a tangible difference in their communities, the Philippines, and around the world. The organization's name reflects its core value—"Makabayan" means patriotic—and embodies the commitment to preserve and promote Philippine heritage among Georgia's youth and families. MGI brings together approximately 30 Filipino-American community organizations representing 40,000 community members, creating a unified voice for collective action and mutual support.
At its heart, MGI is driven by the Filipino-American tradition of sharing blessings and giving back. The organization recognizes that the Philippines faces unique challenges from its geographical location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiencing devastating hurricanes, tropical storms, and earthquakes regularly. MGI has responded to major disasters, including raising $75,000 in one month following Super-Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which enabled the organization to repair hospitals, establish livelihood programs for families, install water filtration systems in schools, and distribute essential supplies to thousands of residents. Through its empowerment-focused livelihood programs, MGI transforms even the most vulnerable populations into productive, self-sufficient citizens. The organization's annual community gatherings and civic engagement initiatives foster deep connections among Filipino-Americans while strengthening the broader Duluth and Georgia communities they call home.
Duluth, GA