15 September 2014 - In an effort to cultivate the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) youth’s potential and leadership skills for community engagement, the Philippine Consulate General launched a Leadership and Mentoring Seminar (LMS) for the second-generation Fil-Ams, entitled “Empowerment for the Emerging Generation” last September 6 at the Philippine Center in New York.
Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon said during his opening remarks that the idea of an LMS for the youth came about after the successful leadership seminars held last year for the first-generation leaders. “It is time to repurpose the Filipino organizations,” the Consul General said, “and we are looking at you, young Fil-Ams to transition leadership to; after all, you are the future of the Filipino community.” He also recognized the initiatives that the student organizations and young professionals’ groups have accomplished in the recent years, and expressed his enthusiasm in reaching out and working more closely with them.
The attendees, mostly from New York and New Jersey Filipino student organizations, were given a whole day of enriching lessons from management experts and leaders in their respective fields.
Published writer and educator Professor Luis Francia gave the participants a historical background on the Philippines and shared his insights on the Filipino immigrant story in the “Understanding the Filipino” module. His lecture framed the mindset of the young leaders on the situation of the Filipino community in the US and suggested that “it’s time to register ourselves as a cultural force.”
Management consultant and life coach Jeffrey Stern shared more transferrable skills to the students. He first gave a lesson on how to properly project oneself through “Effective Public Speaking” where some of the participants practiced their skills in delivering speeches.
Mr. Stern then imparted success strategies to the young ones, in his “Leadership and Motivation” session, where he shared techniques in target-setting and attaining one’s goals, some from personal experiences with his family, especially his national athlete children.
More practicable tips and lessons were the topics for the afternoon session that followed lunch.
Certified Public Accountant and active community member from Connecticut Ms Jocelyn Santiago tried to increase the participants’ knowledge in accounting and bookkeeping for non-profit organization during her lecture.
Restaurateur and innovator of Filipino food Nicole Ponseca gave valuable guidelines and planning secrets during the “Events Management” module, where she drew most of her tips from daily operations of Maharlika and Jeepney as well as the annual Evening in Manila and Balut-Eating Contest at the Hester Street Fair, both of which she organizes.
To process and digest the lessons of the day, a panel discussion moderated by Filipino American Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) alum and NaFFAA State Chair Steve Raga followed. Ms. Iris Zalun, President of Pilipino Unity for Progress (UniPro); Mr. Zultan Bermudez, President of JCI Philippines New York; and Mr. Ner Martinez, Board Member of the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. all threw ideas on how to increase engagement of their members, and to reach out to the whole community through their organization’s activities. All of the panelists understood that young student leaders find it difficult to assimilate themselves into the community – except for their peers and other student boards – but also invited them to join the mainstream organizations.
In closing, Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz, who works closely with the second-generation sector said, “Your involvement as Filipino-Americans do not end when you graduate college and leave your Filipino student clubs,” and encouraged the participants to find their interest and seek community organizations that will help them in their personal goals and increase their affiliation with their heritage.
Similar seminars are planned for other cities in the US Northeast with significant young Filipino-American populations. END