For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org
January 20, 2022
(Updated August 1, 2022)
Filipino Young Leaders Program Raises $8,500 for Typhoon Odette Relief
The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Ayala Foundation, Inc., has raised $8,500 for Typhoon Odette Relief.
The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, Typhoon Odette also known as Typhoon Rai internationally, slammed into the country on Dec. 16-17, 2021, leaving more than 300 dead and impacting more than 700,000 people across the Visayas and Mindanao.
In response, FYLPRO partnered up with the Ayala Foundation, Inc.’s direct relief efforts on the ground by raising money to help get food and water to the most devastated areas.
“This devastating typhoon has upended so many lives. We are all connected to someone impacted by Typhoon Odette. So we knew we had to help,” said FYLPRO 2022 President Leezel Tanglao. “We hope that the money raised by our generous donors will help our kababayans rebuild and recover.”
In December, FYLPRO launched a crowdfunding campaign which drew donations across FYLPRO’s alumni, members, affiliated networks and the general public.
In addition, FYLPRO 2021 President Louella Rose Cabalona secured a $2,000 match from Marie Cunning, a 2022 FYLPRO board member over the holidays.
“A big thank you to our FYLPRO family, our networks of friends, and our matching donor Ms. Marie Cunning for embodying the true spirit of bayanihan, coming together to help thousands of families devastated by Typhoon Odette in the Philippines,” said Cabalona. “I commend the quick mobilization of our long term partners Ayala Foundation, Inc in providing food, supplies and water to affected communities in Visayas and Mindanao. Through them, we are able to let our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) know that, in these difficult times, they remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
All donations go directly to Ayala Foundation’s on the ground relief efforts across the regions impacted by Typhoon Odette.
In June 2022, the Filipino Community of Carson (California), added an additional $500 to the recovery relief efforts.
“Through the power of shared purpose, the Ayala group has so far provided food and water for at least 26,300 families severely affected by Typhoon Odette,” said Ruel Maranan, president of Ayala Foundation. “The generosity of the Filipino American community, through the efforts of FYLPRO, expands our capacity to serve more families as they make their way toward recovery and resilience.”
About Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO)
FILIPINO YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM (FYLPRO) is a network of high performing, next-generation leaders who advance the Philippines and the Filipino people through their advocacy and expertise in various industries.
We continually expand the pipeline of Filipino young leaders in the diaspora. By connecting them to the motherland, we foster collaborative multinational relationships that create innovations and support the socio-economic progress of the global Filipino community.
For more information:
# # #
