EVEN now that he isn’t a public servant anymore, former Councilor George Goking Sr. continues to help the city by interacting with foreign counterparts in international gatherings.
In his capacity as current president of the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan Alumni Association, Goking led the group’s delegation during the recent World Union of Jesuit Alumni 2026 held July 29 to August 2 in Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The event marked the first time alumni from a Jesuit educational institution in the Philippines participated in such a prestigious international event.
Because the event ran five days long, Goking was able to interact with delegates from other countries such as Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Uruguay, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda, invited them to know more about his hometown of Cagayan de Oro City and even encouraged them to invest here.
After nine years of being chairman of the City Council committee on commerce, Goking termed out in 2025 but this did not prevent him from continuing to lobby for the city both in local and international circles.
The participation of the XUAAA, Inc. leadership and the Philippine delegation opened new possibilities for international collaboration, stronger Jesuit alumni networks, and a deeper sense of belonging to a global mission.
“We came to Yogyakarta as delegates. We leave as brothers and sisters in one global Jesuit alumni community. We came carrying the stories of our universities, our chapters, and our communities. We return carrying new friendships, new partnerships, new dreams, and a renewed call to serve,” Goking said.
