14 November 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. met with members of the Filipino American community during his visit to Los Angeles on November 06. 

The Ambassador first met with some representatives of the second generation Filipino-Americans coming from various fields and areas in Southern California, including San Diego. Newly-elected San Diego District 6 City Councilmember Chris Cate also attended the meeting. Councilmember Cate is the first Asian-American elected into the City Council in the last fifty years. This is all part of the efforts of the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General to reach out to the second and third generation Filipino-Americans.

Ambassador Cuisia gave the attendees updates about the economy, government and current issues of the Philippines. One way that helps second generation Filipino-Americans to know more about the Philippines is by joining the annual Ambassador, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour. This has been the experience of the Filipino American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPro) delegates who joined the tours and got to discover more about their roots and their heritage. The meeting was also a good venue for the second generation Filipino-Americans to get-to-know each other and to network.

The Ambassador also met with leaders of various Filipino-American organizations. Ambassador Cuisia discussed the essential element of unity in the Filipino-American community’s drive to translate its enormous presence into a potent politicial, economic and sociocultural influence.  The ambassador gave a compelling narration on the successful benefit concert for Typhoon Yolanda/ Haiyan victims held at Washington D.C. The various organizations that came together and worked towards the achievement of a common goal for the benefit of fellow Filipinos in need in the Philippines. Ambassador Cuisia ended his remarks by emphasizing that, “We can do more if we work together.”  END