15 July 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York and Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO) alumni urged young Filipino-American professionals to apply for the 2016 FYLPRO immersion trip to the Philippines at reception at the Philippine Center in New York on June 29.
The FYLPRO immersion program identifies 10 outstanding Fil-Am leaders in the U.S. for a week-long, all-expense paid trip to the Philippines to meet leaders in various fields and strengthen the ties between the U.S. and the Philippines. The official dates of the 2016 Immersion Program are November 24 through December 02. This is the fifth FYLPRO Immersion Program since its inception in 2012.
In attendance were FYLPRO alumni Michael Vea ‘12 (New York), Steven Raga ‘12 (New York), Rachelle Ocampo ‘13 (New York), Edward Santos ‘13 (New York); Ryan Letada ‘14 (New York), Jason Tengco ‘14 (New York); and Jennifer Coliflores ‘15 (Rhode Island).
FYLPRO alumni shared their experiences since participating in their immersion trips and provided guidance on the program’s intensive application process. Some alumni shared how the trip inspired them to create “Legacy Projects” or social impact projects such as business enterprises, events and projects that help advance the Fil-Am community in the U.S. with partners made in the Philippines.
“I hope that when I come back here after I retire, we can see a more active Filipino community led by the future leaders, of course, the second generation Fil-Ams.” Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, who will be vacating his post in September, addressed young Fil-Am professionals at the Consulate’s Kalayaan Hall.
De Leon has been very active with the second generation Fil-Am community during his tenure. In an effort to cultivate the youth's potential and leadership skills for community engagement, De Leon began hosting Leadership and Mentoring Seminars for second generation Fil-Ams over the past year. Seminars that were held in Boston, New York, New Haven and New Jersey invited FYLPRO alumni to encourage the second and third generations to assume leadership positions within the community - a trend De Leon believes should continue.
Interested individuals may visit www.fylpro.org to apply. The deadline is Sunday, July 24, 2016, midnight of Hawaii Standard Time.
FYLPRO Immersion Program criteria:
- no younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by November 24, 2016
- ready and capable of traveling to the Philippines, to arrive in Manila on or before November 23, 2016
- have potential or demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community, workplace or other area of involvement; and,
- have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino-American community, or in issues and activities that align with the interest of the Filipino-American community or the Philippines.
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, visit www.fylpro.org. END