22 November 2016 – As the spotlight on U.S.-Philippine relations increases, the delegates for the 2016 Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) prepare for a trip to Manila for their week-long Immersion Program.

Ten selected delegates hail from diverse professional and personal backgrounds, all having a passion to advance the Filipino community, both in the United States and the Philippines. This year’s FYLPRO delegates represent California, Guam, Hawaii, New York, Washington D.C., Washington.

The 2016 FYLPRO Immersion Program, a joint undertaking between FYLPRO, the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States and the Ayala Foundation, Inc will take place from November 23 to December 02. The program is an all-expense-paid trip to the Philippines to meet with top government, business and civil society leaders.

Minister Patrick Chuasoto, the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim and Chair of the FYLPRO Selection Committee, officially welcomed the delegates on a teleconference earlier in the month. The delegates have also expressed how much they look forward to reconnecting, and discovering more about their motherland.

“I am honored to be a part of this immersion trip and thrilled to finally meet everyone,” said Joanne Boston, a 2016 FYLPRO delegate from California. “My batchmates are talented and passionate, and I look forward to seeing how our work will benefit the communities in our respective cities. It’s not every day that one is given the opportunity to make connections with people who can potentially make goals into reality. I already know this will be a life-changing experience.”

The 2016 FYLPRO is made possible with the invaluable partnership of the Ayala Foundation, Inc., the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the generous support of corporate sponsors that include PhilAm Life, SGV, PHINMA Corporation, and Philippine Airlines.

The 2016 delegates are:

Noel Aglubat (New York, NY)
Tiffany Batac (Washington, DC)
Joanne Boston (Daly City, CA)
Mark Calaguas (Chicago, IL)
Brandon Dela Cruz (Honolulu, HI)
Elizabeth Frilles (Honolulu, HI)
Christopher Lapinig (Los Angeles, CA)
Maria Teresa Quintans (Tamuning, Guam)
Donny Rojo (Seattle, WA)
Jhett Tolentino (New York, NY)

Follow the program on social media using#FYLPRO.

ABOUT FYLPRO. FYLPRO is a group of next-generation leaders who have a passion for advancing the Philippines and the Filipino people. FYLPRO was established in 2012 by Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. in cooperation with Ayala Foundation Inc. to provide delegates with invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to a distinguished network of captains of industry and government. For more information on FYLPRO, visitwww.fylpro.org.