Ten young Fil-Ams named ’18 FYLPRO delegates to PH

Last year’s delegates with some FYLPRO alumni. AYALA FOUNDATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Ten young Filipino Americans have been chosen 2018 FYLPRO (Filipino Young Leaders Program) delegates.

The 2018 FYLPRO delegates will be traveling in a week-long immersion trip to Manila this November and will have the opportunity to interact with Philippine government officials and leaders in the fields of business, arts and culture, and civil society.

The program is a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy led by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI).

1. Amanda Bantug (Washington, DC)
2. Baron Cabalona (Chicago)
3. Anthony Dela Rosa (Miami)
4. Lauren Lalicon (New Jersey)
5. Catherine Luib (San Diego)
6. Charlynne Mae McGinnis (Honolulu)
7. Melissa Palma (Chicago)
8. Joshua Price (Maumalle)
9. Brian Tajo (San Francisco)
10. Meriden Villanueva (Los Angeles)

The ten leaders have carried out “inspiring work in their communities driven by their passions for the Filipino culture and the advancement of Philippine interests and advocacies in the United States. They now join a prestigious network of 70 young, Filipino-American leaders across the nation to collaborate, exchange ideas, and continue to inspire a wave of diplomatic innovation,” according to a FYLPRO press announcement.

“Our family has grown and I am beyond honored to lead amongst exceptional peers,” said Dondi Leonidas Quintans, FYLPRO president. “We are thrilled to welcome the 2018 Delegates into our program and to show them a side of the Philippines only a select few are privileged to experience. We hope our future partnerships will lead to collaborative, imaginative, community-driven, and long-lasting advocacies between the Philippines and the United States.”

“It was not without difficulty that we selected the 2018 delegates among many outstanding applications. But it gives me great pride to know through the FYLPRO selection process just how talented, driven and inspiring the young leaders of the Filipino diaspora community are,” said Ambassador Romualdez.