Embassy town hall promotes PH youth immersion for Fil-Ams

FYLPRO town hall speakers from left, FYLPRO 2016 delegate Jhett Tolentino, Tony and Grammy Award-winning producer; FYLPRO 2012 delegate Gregory Cendaña, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance; and FYLPRO 2014 delegate Jason Tengco, executive director of the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA) are the featured speakers at the FYLPRO Town Hall held at the Philippine Embassy on June 13. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, DC — A town hall meeting discussed the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) June 13 at the Philippine Embassy here as part of the effort to promote the immersion program among Filipino American youth.

The FYLPRO program selects 10 outstanding Fil-Am leaders in the United States for a week-long, all-expenses paid trip to the Philippines to meet leaders in various fields and strengthen the ties between the US and the Philippines. It is a joint project of the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, Ayala Foundation, and the FYLPRO non-profit organization.

“The immersion program gives the delegates the opportunity to re-connect with their Filipino roots, and build mutually beneficial relationships with Philippine entities,” said Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy. “It exposes them to conditions in the Philippines, particularly in the fields of business, government, arts and culture, and social entrepreneurship.”

FYLPRO speakers with CDA Chuasoto and VC Artates — FYLPRO alums Jhett Tolentino, Greg Cendaña, and Jason Tengco with Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick Chuasoto (second from left) and Vice Consul Darell Artates (rightmost) at the FYLPRO Town Hall. CONTRIBUTED

The meeting featured FYLPRO 2012 delegate Gregory Cendaña, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance; FYLPRO 2014 delegate Jason Tengco, executive director of the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA); FYLPRO 2016 delegate Jhett Tolentino, Tony and Grammy Award-winning producer.

The three speakers shared their FYLPRO stories, underscoring the value that the program has contributed to their personal and professional development.

Tolentino’s presentation focused on the highlights of the last immersion program and his legacy project that aims to create opportunities for Filipinos in the performing arts.

Cendaña, whose FYLPRO experience in 2012 marks the first time he traveled to the Philippines, said that the immersion program provided an impetus for him and his family to return and witness the developments in their country of heritage.

Tengco, meanwhile, described the immersion program as an “inspiring opportunity to re-connect with the homeland.”

During the Q&A, the speakers fielded questions on Filipino-American empowerment, political engagement, and FYLPRO legacy projects.

The official schedule of the 2017 Immersion Program is 8-14 October 2017. This is the sixth FYLPRO Immersion Program since its inception in 2012.

Requirements:

1. Leaders no younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by Oct. 8, 2017, the first day of the 2017 Immersion Program
2. Ready and capable of traveling to the Philippines, arriving in Manila by Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 and departing no earlier than Oct. 14, 2017. If selected, the program will shoulder airfare and accommodations
3. Demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community, workplace or other area of involvement
4. Have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino community, or in issues and/or activities that align with the interest of the Filipino American community or the Philippines.

To learn more, visit https://www.fylpro.org/apply/. The deadline for the submission of applications is on 07 July 2017. ###