DC delegates excited to go on FYLPRO immersion in PH

WASHINGTON, DC – Two of the most vibrant, driven and accomplished Filipino American young professionals of Metro DC will be part of the 6^th batch of delegates to the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), representing Washington, DC in the immersion program to be held on October 8-14 in the Philippines.

Christal Simanski, president of the Filipino Young Professionals Organization of Washington, D.C. (FYP-DC) expressed her enthusiasm for being selected to this year’s FYLPRO batch.

FYLPRO delegate Christal Simanski. CONTRIBUTED

“As the president of the Filipino Young Professionals organization, I am always seeking out ways to elevate young professionals to achieve success in their careers. Being a FYLPRO delegate this year will enhance my leadership skills, which will help the community grow,” said Simanski.

Simanski is an advocate of human rights and international migration, with her proposed legacy project focusing on human trafficking.

“I am looking forward to the immersion program in the Philippines and later implementing my legacy project of combating human trafficking. There is tremendous value in learning from industry leaders in government, business and nonprofit. Their insight on important issues facing the Philippines and more importantly garnering where the Filipino-American community can contribute to the growth of the Philippines is what makes FYLPRO unique and I am truly honored to be a delegate this year,” she added.

FYLPRO delegate Ryann Tanapi. CONTRIBUTED

Also representing Washington, DC is Ryann Tanap, who looks forward to the opportunity of meeting and learning from Philippine leaders through the FYLPRO immersion program.

“I am honored to have been selected for the 2017 FYLPRO delegation. I look forward to traveling back to my family’s homeland this October, where I will be in the company of Filipino and Filipino American leaders, movers and shakers,” said Tanap.

As a writer and advocate for suicide prevention and multicultural communities, Tanap expressed interest in learning more about how she can better serve the greater Filipino community.

“After losing my mentor, a fellow Filipino American, to suicide, educating others on mental health and self-care is something I strive to do each day. As a mental health advocate, I’m motivated to share my passion for promoting awareness to help those who may live and struggle in silence,” Tanap emphasized.

“Young Filipino Americans have always been a source of leadership and talent in their respective communities here in the United States. I am confident that FYLPRO 2017 will not only shape both Christal’s and Ryann’s identity as Filipinos but will also allow them to have meaningful engagements with the Philippine Government and firsthand understanding of current issues affecting our kababayans back home,” said Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick Chuasoto.

Simanski and Tanap will join eight other outstanding Fil-Am young professionals from across the United States in this year’s FYLPRO immersion program in the Philippines.