21 October 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York held a Leadership Management Seminar (LMS): Empowerment for the Future for the Filipino-American community leaders of Connecticut and nearby areas of New York (Bronx and Westchester) on October 05 at the Worthington Hooker School, New Haven, Connecticut.
Seventy-nine (79) participants representing 22 organizations attended the LMS, which was the third that the Consulate General had conducted in a year, following the previous seminars held in New York on February 23 and in Philadelphia on March 09.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., said, “I am optimistic that the LMS will provide a venue for community members and in particular, leaders of Filipino American organizations to learn more about the latest leadership and management practices and also the important regulations which have a direct impact on the way their organizations are managed. The Consulate General is conducting this LMS on the firm belief that an informed community is an empowered community.”
Six modules were taken up at the seminars.
Deputy Consul General Zaldy Patron talked about the topic Overview of the Philippine Conditions, with focus on the economic resurgence of the Philippines and the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals and growth industries.
Mr. Gil Vendiola, a certified public accountant and managing director of an accounting firm in New York City discussed Managing Financial Responsibilities in an Organization.
Complementing his topic was Atty. Reuben Seguritan, a member of New York Bar who served as general counsel of various Filipino American organizations, who lectured on Managing Legal Matters in an Organization.
Ms. Imelda Jones, senior event manager of Waldorf Astoria in New York shared her thoughts on Best Practices in Event Planning.
Mr. Joselito Mecua, Protocol Officer of the Consulate General gave some pointers on Protocol 101: Basics of Ceremonial and Social Protocol.
Lastly, Dr. Ramon Henson, an organization and management consultant in New York and New Jersey and a professor at Rutgers University, did a presentation on Becoming an Effective Change Leader.
A panel discussion on the topic Engaging the Emerging Generation of Filipino-Americans followed the speakers’ presentations. Five first and second generation Filipino Americans exchanged ideas and perspectives on the role that new generations of Filipino Americans can play in the community and the challenges in getting them involved. The panellists were Dr. Gino Ang (an anaesthesiologist and entrepreneur), Atty. Sylvester Salcedo (practicing lawyer in CT), Ms. Marissa Magno (Compensation Professional of the Human Resources at KKR, New York) and Christopher Dee (a junior student at Yale University who works for College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines, a group that helps local high school students around Metro Manila apply to US colleges). Mr. Zultan Bermudez, Chair of the Filipino American Human Services Inc. (FAHSI), moderated the discussion.
The community organizations that gave extra support for the LMS included the Philippine American Association of CT, CT Association of Filipino American Families, Pilipino Association of CT, Inc., Federation of Filipino Association in CT, Filipino Amateur League of CT, Kasamahan ng mga Pilipino sa Westchester County at Ibp., Connecticut Association of Philippine Physicians, Philippine American Women’s Association of Connecticut, Bayanihan Club of CT, and Knights of Rizal. END