2023 Immersion Program Deadline Extended – April 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific

The 2023 FYLPRO Immersion Program application deadline has been extended to April 21, 2023.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Recommendation letters are also due April 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email immersion@fylpro.org

Register for an account at https://fylpro.awardspring.com to complete your application.

Missed our Immersion Program info session?

Watch info sessions recordings:
https://youtu.be/jlgVYl6Am1s
https://youtu.be/kOf_8WXErsM
https://youtu.be/8fdpLl1L7Wc
https://youtu.be/4dBsxIUnzXY

For more information about the Immersion Program, read our press release:
https://fylpro.org/filipino-young-leaders-program-immersion-2023-applications-are-now-open/

Read our FAQs: https://fylpro.org/immersionfaqs/

Spot any misleading posts recently? Report them via our Tayo tipline form

Have you seen misinformation and disinformation in your own Filipino American community in the United States? The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a non-profit organization that provides advocacy programs and services to Filipinos all over the world is looking for YOUR HELP.

FYLPRO wants to identify what issues are of utmost importance to Filipino Americans in the US and figure out how they are talking about it and what they are saying. If you have seen any examples of misinformation and disinformation both online and in-person, fill out this form.

This project is an extension of  Tayo, which provided vital, trustworthy, and culturally relevant information to help Filipinos navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

*Misinformation: False or misleading information, unintentionally, presented as fact. When one believes something is accurate, but in reality, it is not.

*Disinformation: False or misleading information purposefully distributed. When one knows something to be untrue but shares it anyway.

Questions? email: tayotips@fylpro.org

Send your tips: https://bit.ly/TayoTips

2023 Tayo Fellowship Program: Applications Now Open

Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) Tayo unit is seeking its fourth cohort of fellows to join the ongoing operations of Tayo and engage in a new initiative dedicated to training young Filipino American leaders how to hold courageous conversations in their communities and combat anti-Asian violence. The fellowship is a virtual program and will run from June 4 – August 20, 2023. A tentative, expenses-paid,  in-person fellowship convening is slated for early August. We are unable to offer monetary compensation at the moment, but please see the below list of other benefits this position offers. 

 

About Tayo

In October 2020, FYLPRO launched a web help desk, “Tayo” designed for seniors, unemployed individuals, and front line workers with information to make decisions to safeguard their health and well being during the pandemic. Firmly believing that we are the agents of change, and the custodians of our own community, FYLPRO mobilized experts, content creators, and service providers in the areas of medicine and medical research, mental health, government assistance and response, transportation, and social services to provide credible, timely, and community-specific information.       

Since the Fall of 2020, previous FYLPRO Tayo Fellows collectively engaged in the following projects:

  • Researched and authored over 500+ articles on Tayohelp.com website
  • Developed assets and executed social media campaigns on Tayo’s multiple platforms
  • Produced a range of short to long-form culturally-relevant videos 
  • Conducted environmental scan of Filipino American organizations and initiatives in the Greater Los Angeles area
  • Conducted interviews to identify needs of Filipino Americans during COVID-19
  • Produced interactive community event, “Together sa Tayo” to bring together Filipino Americans during COVID-19
  • Presented/contributed to national conferences and conversations such as:
    • White House Youth Updated Vaccine Roundtable with the Second Gentleman
    • National Council on Mental Wellbeing’s Annual Conference
    • American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo
    • Asian American Research Center on Health (ARCH) 2022 Mentored Research Symposium
    • NYU Health Disparities Symposium
    • FYLPRO 10 Year Anniversary Program
  • Supported Tayo COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Design & Webinar Dissemination Efforts
  • Curated a viral dance video and Tik Tok series for the Department of Health & Human Services’ #WeCanDoThis Campaign
  • Curated COVID-19 PSAs for the Filipino community in English & Tagalog
  • Trained as wellness coaches for the AAPI community through the National AAPI Mental Health Association
  • Trained in Junkipedia data misinformation monitoring through Civic Listening Corps
  • Organized vaccine clinics in Arkansas, Hawaii, Texas, and Florida
  • Participated in leadership sessions with FYLPRO alumni, discussing topics such as:
    • Combating Misinformation with Leezel Tanglao
    • Self-Care is Community Care with Krystle Canare & TJ Simba-Medel
    • Navigating the Workplace as a Pinay with Anna Marie Cruz, Lauren Lalicon, Ryann Tanap, Jessica Velasco
    • Graduate School: The Decision, Application & Lessons Learned with Melissa Dargan, Brian Tajo, Christal Simanski, Earl Valencia
  • Leveraging Your Community Experience in the Job-Search Process with Frederick Docdocil and Philjay Solar                                                                                                                                                                                        Why you?

As someone who cares about the Filipino American community, you want to empower seniors, unemployed individuals, and frontline workers with the information they need to safeguard their health and well being. You are frustrated with the misinformation, and lack of relevant updates and trustworthy information that directly impacts the Filipino American community. You want to be surrounded by other Filipino American young leaders across the country working together to enact change.

About the Role

As a Tayo Fellow, your goal will be to create relevant information to help Filipino Americans safeguard their health, well being, and economic security during the pandemic. You will play the vital role of identifying important information and creating content that makes it understandable, accessible, and actionable for our communities.

 

On a weekly basis you will:

  1. Identify credible sources of information such as policy think tanks, government agencies, professional and industry associations, business associations, and social service providers.  
  2. Attend and participate in information sessions, webinars, and briefings to gather relevant information and updates and summarize the findings
  3. Proactively track developments in the subject area for which you are responsible
  4. You will write short and long form content weekly
  5. Attend a weekly Tayo coordination meeting on Sundays from 5pm-6pmET/4pm-5pmCT/3pm-4pmMT/2pm-3pmPT/12pm-1pmPT
    1. If you are unable to attend these meetings, separate accommodations can be arranged
  6. Attend bi-weekly 1:1 supervisor check-in
  7. Estimated 3-5 hours per week

Desired Qualifications

  • Interest in Filipino and  Filipino American community organizing
  • Interest in content creation and generating accessible, easy to understand material
  • Ability to write for Limited English proficiency populations
  • Leadership experience in a Filipino or pan-Asian group is a plus
  • Policy or public health research experience is a plus

Join Us For Our New Initiative!

In light of the rise in violence and exacerbated mental health challenges faced by our communities during the pandemic, Tayo recognizes the importance of “kwentuhan” or sharing stories to garner the insights and lessons of the collective. That said, it is our hope to share Tayo’s current playbook for holding courageous conversations with current Filipino American young leaders and co-curate a training program that could be taught and shared with Filipino American youth across the country. 

How Might you Benefit from Participating?

As a writer and content creator, you want to hone your skills, by working with leaders in media, technologists, and subject matter experts.  You have an interest in deepening your knowledge by working directly with experts in the fields of Medicine and Medical Research; Mental Health; Government Assistance; Law and Policy; Transportation, Travel, and Mobility; and Social Services for Senior citizens.  Beyond the COVID-19 crisis, you will have, through FYLPRO, a network of young Filipino professionals who are well positioned in their respective fields, and want to help you navigate your career, by connecting you with mentors, and advocates for you.

In addition, other benefits will include: sponsorship to membership of a professional association of your choice, opportunity to publish and write for the FYLPRO website and contribute to the final published article of project findings. 

You will also have an opportunity to connect with FYLPRO’s membership which includes a network of Filipinos who are leaders in their respective fields.  You can learn more about the FYLPRO COVID response team here: http://fylpro.org/covidresponseteam/

For students at education institutions, we would be happy to sponsor field study units.  Please consult with your academic advisor prior to applying for this program, to see if it qualifies for units at your institution of learning.

Questions? Contact TJ Simba-Medel, FYLPRO Fellowship Director – tjsimbamedel@fylpro.org

How to Apply

Due 4/30/2023 at 11:59pm ET 

Application Form   

FYLPRO’s Tayo at Congressional Briefing on Digital Civil Rights

FYLPRO’s Tayo made its debut in the public policy space at a Congressional Briefing on March 9, 2023 at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Coordinated by Free Press and the Disinfo Defense League along with sponsors Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY) and Senator Ben Ray Lujan (NM), “A Roadmap for Protecting Digital Civil Rights” featured remarks from moderator Free Press co-CEO Jessica J. González, speakers United We Dream’s José Muñoz, The New Georgia Project’s Ranada Robinson, Common Cause’s Yosef Getachew, and FYLPRO president and Tayo co-founder and Project Director Leezel Tanglao.

Leezel shared the story of how FYLPRO’s rapid response to the global pandemic gave birth to Tayo and its efforts to disrupt public health misinformation and build infrastructures to support the long term resilience of the Filipino community in the face of ongoing institutional neglect and disinvestment.

FYLPRO executive vice president and Tayo co-founder and Product Counsel Mark Calaguas and FYLPRO 2013 delegate Rachelle Ocampo, EdM attended the briefing held at the Senate Visitors Center at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Filipino Young Leaders Program Immersion 2023 Applications Are Now Open

 

UPDATE April 14, 2023: APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 21, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Pacific

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2023

Filipino Young Leaders Program Immersion 2023 Applications Are Now Open

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is pleased to announce the return of its signature immersion program this summer.

The annual immersion trip has been the signature piece of the partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Ayala Foundation and FYLPRO since 2012. The program was deferred the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It returned in 2022 during Thanksgiving week.

This year, the immersion program is scheduled to take place the last week of August. 

The week-long program brings 15 young leaders from across different industries to the Philippines where they meet with business, community and civic leaders in an effort to bridge and strengthen ties between the United States and the Philippines.

“Every year is another opportunity to level up and leave a lasting impact,” said FYLPRO 2022 President Leezel Tanglao. “We’re looking forward to welcoming another cohort of Filipino leaders ready to grow and serve the community.”

The immersion program is scheduled to take place the week of August 27. 

Last year, the immersion program committee decided to raise the eligibility age limit to 45 to account for those who might have aged out during the last two years. Previously, the program age eligibility was 25 to 40.

It has been a life changing and transformative trip for many of the 99 alumni thus far. It has led to the creation of many businesses, collaborations and partnerships serving Filipino and Filipino American communities. 

For those interested in applying visit: https://fylpro.org/immersion-application/

Applicants must complete the application form, pay a $20 processing fee, essay questions and obtain recommendation letters by April 14, 2023 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time deadline (April 21, 2023, 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time last day for recommendation letters to be submitted). 

About the 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: 

http://www.fylpro.org 

About the Ayala Foundation, Inc.

As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino. Ayala Foundation is committed to community development, working closely with communities in identifying compelling developmental needs and providing suitable solutions with measurable outcomes. It implements programs under the following themes: Education, Sustainable Livelihood, and Love of Country.  

About the Philippine Embassy in the United States

The Philippine Embassy’s mission is to promote and protect Philippine interests in the global community. Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as “Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991”, gives mandate to the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the three (3) pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy, as follows:

  • Preservation and enhancement of national security
  • Promotion and attainment of economic security
  • Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas.

 

Research Participants Needed for NIH National Heart Lung Blood Institute – Heart Truth Curriculum Evaluation

Participants Needed!

NIH National Heart Lung Blood Institute 
Heart Truth Curriculum Evaluation

Do you care about the heart health of Filipino and Filipinx/a/o American communities?

FYLPRO’s Tayo is recruiting participants to chikahan about the NIH NHLBI Healthy Hearts, Healthy Families curriculum in 90-minute focus groups.

Receive a $75 stipend for participation!

Eligibility
– Over 18 years old
– Have Filipino heritage or identify as Filipinx/a/o American
– Lives in the US
– Community health worker/barangay health worker 
– Health professional or health professional student (nursing, nutrition, PT/OT, medicine, etc)
– Persons living with heart disease, caregiver of persons living with heart disease

Contact research@fylpro.org for more information

Principal Investigators: Melissa Palma, MD, MPH and Angela Ebreo, PhD

Filipino Young Leaders Program Announces New Leadership for 2023

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

December 19, 2022

Filipino Young Leaders Program Announces New Leadership for 2023

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Ayala Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce its 2023 Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Executive Committee:

Leezel Tanglao ‘19, President (Dallas, TX)

Jan Paul Ferrer ’14, President-Elect (Chicago, IL)

Mark Calaguas ‘16, Executive Vice President (Chicago, IL)

Chachie Abara, Secretary (Ewa Beach, HI)

Sabrina Sayoc, Treasurer (Philadelphia, PA)

Board of Directors:

Louella Cabalona, ‘12 (Chicago, IL)

Fred Docdocil, ‘19 (Carson, CA)

Daniel Galeon, ‘22 (Montvale, NJ)

Jean Gavina, (Chicago, IL)

Genevieve Jopanda, ‘22 (San Francisco, CA)

Agnes Lopez, ‘22 (Jacksonville, FL)

Constancio Paranal III, ‘22 (Honolulu, HI)

Joshua Ang Price, ‘18 (Little Rock, AR)

Bryan Ramos (Atlanta, GA)

Mark Lim, Ex-Officio (Washington, D.C.)

Joanna Duarte, Ex-Officio (Manila, Philippines)

The new leadership will assume their roles in January 2023, taking the helm of the nonprofit FYLPRO to fulfill its mission to identify young Filipino-American leaders and reconnect them with their cultural heritage and history; provide professional development to empower them to positively impact their communities; and give them the tools and networks to nurture and grow Philippines-US relations in the areas of government, business, and philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives.

The election of 2023’s board officers marks the first time that directors will have staggered one year and two year terms to ensure sustainability and continuity. Other changes include extending the president term to two years, beginning with 2022 president Leezel Tanglao’s term. Tanglao’s term will end in December 2023. The vice president’s role, currently occupied by Jan Paul Ferrer, will be renamed to President-Elect. Ferrer will become president in 2024. A new position, executive vice president will oversee operations, membership and programming and will serve as liaison to all committees. The EVP role does not fall in the line of succession. Mark Calaguas assumes this two year role starting in 2023.

FYLPRO 2022 President Leezel Tanglao is looking forward to continuing to build on the momentum of 2022, with the return of the immersion program, expansion of Tayo and other key programs serving the Filipino community. 

“I’m excited to continue our mission to bridge, represent and discover,” said Tanglao, who is the Senior Digital Director at the Dallas Morning News and is the project director of FYLPRO’s Tayo. “After celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2022, we’re only at the beginning of taking FYLPRO to the next level.”

The members of the 2023 Board of Directors are FYLPRO alumni and non-alumni from across the nation in multiple industries including business, banking, nonprofits, education, journalism and law. 

Along with representatives from the Philippine Embassy and Ayala Foundation, Inc., this body will advise and support the executive committee during their terms in office.

Established in 2012 by the Philippine Embassy in the United States in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), FYLPRO annually identifies outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States and provides them invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to distinguished network captains of industry and government.

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:

http://www.fylpro.org

# # #

 

Filipino Young Leaders Program Signature Immersion Trip Returns After Two Year Hiatus Due to Pandemic

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

December 2, 2022

Filipino Young Leaders Program Signature Immersion Trip Returns After Two Year Hiatus Due to Pandemic 

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) signature immersion program made its return to the Philippines after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in late November.

The trip comes as FYLPRO, a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. 

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

The 15-person 2022 cohort includes a five-time Hugo Award winner, an administrative judge, emergency room physician and Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker. They now join 84 FYLPRO alumni who have gone through the immersion program.

The 2022 FYLPRO Delegation included:

  1. Michelle Amor – New York, New York
  2. Grace Arupo Rodriguez – Roseville, California
  3. Joshua De Leon – Long Beach, California
  4. Daniel Galeon – Montvale, New Jersey
  5. Genevieve Jopanda – San Francisco, California
  6. Michele Josue – Glendale, California
  7. Agnes Lopez – Jacksonville, Florida
  8. Angelo Mathay – Raleigh, North Carolina
  9. Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos – Sicklerville, New Jersey
  10. Constancio Paranal III – Honolulu, Hawaii
  11. Melissa (Michi) Trota – Chicago, Illinois
  12. Danicole Ramos – Waialua, Hawaii
  13. Angelico Razon – Pasadena, California
  14. John Victoria – Arlington, Virginia
  15. Neil Wingkun – Houston, Texas

This year’s cohort includes new regions represented with delegates from Raleigh, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida. It is the first year the FYLPRO immersion cohort included delegates over the age 40 after the age eligibility was raised to 45.

The delegates traveled to the Philippines the week of November 20-25 for a week-long immersion trip. 

Their immersion trip kicked off with a walking food tour of Binodo and a visit to the Ayala Museum. 

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

The delegates also met with the U.S. Ambassador of the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff in a special reception with Fulbright Philippines and Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) alumni.

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

They also heard from speakers from various industries such as health, tech, legal, and business including Roland Ros (co-founder of Kumu), Dexter Ligot-Gordon (co-founder of Swarm), Ellene Sana (Center for Migrant Advocacy), Coco Alcuaz (Executive Director, Makati Business Club), Paul Pajo and Bea Sanchez (Plentina) and Len Cabili (Founder and Creative Director, Filip+Inna).

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

During business day, the Makati Business Club and American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines hosted a special networking luncheon where delegates shared their Filipino American stories. 

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

On government day, the delegates had a courtesy call with Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, had lunch and meet and greets with former Counsel Generals, traveled to Pasig City to meet with Mayor Vico Sotto and visited the Philippine House of Representatives. 

Photo Credit:  DFA OPCD

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

On community  day the delegates spent time with the farmers at Calauan, Laguna – a partner site of the ayala foundation initiative to implement sustainable livelihood projects.

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

After spending time with the farmers, our delegates spent some time with our media partners GMA Pinoy TV and toured their studios and sets. 

 

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

Following the tour of GMA studios, our delegates had the chance to spend time with GMA officials including GMA International First Vice President Joseph Jerome T. Francia, director Direk Mark Reyes and journalist Howie Severino at dinner. Severino gave a quick baybayin lesson to the delegates. 

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

On the last day of the program, the delegates met with their mentor and had a courtesy call with the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez right before they wrapped up their trip with closing ceremonies.

Photo Credit: FYLPRO

For a look at this year’s immersion program, view this video edited by 2022 Emmy Award Winning Director Michele Josue: https://youtu.be/HjJyi-pQmzo

This year’s trip marks the next evolution of the immersion program as FYLPRO works to illiterate and add more elements to the program’s offering to bridge, represent and discover.

“While the delegates only had only one week, it was filled with transformation moments that will last a lifetime,” said 2022 FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao. “I look forward to seeing all the collaborations and great things to emerge from the delegation as this is only the beginning of their journeys to connect deeper to the community throughout the diaspora.

FYLPRO was established in 2012 by Former Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Victoria J. Cuisia in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) to annually identify outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States and provide the delegates with invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to distinguished network captains of industry and government.

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, visit fylpro.org.

About the Ayala Foundation, Inc.

As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino. Ayala Foundation is committed to community development, working closely with communities in identifying compelling developmental needs and providing suitable solutions with measurable outcomes. It implements programs under the following themes: Education, Sustainable Livelihood, and Love of Country.  

About the Philippine Embassy in the United States

The Philippine Embassy’s mission is to promote and protect Philippine interests in the global community. Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as “Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991”, gives mandate to the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the three (3) pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy, as follows:

  • Preservation and enhancement of national security
  • Promotion and attainment of economic security
  • Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas.

 

###

 

See below for delegate’s short bios

2022 Immersion Delegates

Michelle Amor joined Lev, a digital commercial real estate fintech startup, in 2021 to help launch the firm’s new direct-lending business. Now, she is a Manager within Lev’s strategy and innovation team, Lev Labs. Prior to Lev, Michelle worked as a Fixed Income Credit Trader at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and has held previous roles at firms including J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo, and Balyasny Asset Management. Michelle has been on the board of the Filipino American National Historical Society’s Metropolitan New York Chapter for four years, She currently serves as Treasurer and was previously the Chair of Communications. She also currently serves as Treasurer of the National Federation of Filipino American Association’s New York State Chapter. In addition, she works for Steven Raga’s campaign for New York State Assembly, District 30. Michelle received her BA in Financial Economics at Columbia University in 2019. At Columbia, Michelle served as the President of Liga Filipina (2018) and the Social-Cultural Chair (2017). Prior to college, Michelle danced with American Repertory Ballet, Arch Contemporary Ballet, and the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts.

Grace Arupo Rodriguez serves as the Assistant Deputy Director of Legal Affairs at the California Department of Consumer Affairs, which is the umbrella entity that administers more than 3.4 million California licenses in more than 280 license types from accountants, architects, boxers, engineers, dentists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists to veterinarians.  Grace served as the first Deputy Director of Legal Affairs in the then-newly created Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development from 2013 to 2017 and was instrumental in re-structuring various tax credit incentives for California, including the Film Tax Credit and the California Competes Tax Credit (formerly the Enterprise zones). She also assisted with the implementation of the Office of Travel and Tourism’s expanded tourism assessment fee.  Grace previously served as the Senior Deputy Counsel in the Sacramento City Attorney’s Office from 2012 to 2013, working on bond financing of public works projects. As another first, Grace was the first Corporate Counsel for the California Independent System Operator (California ISO) from 2007 to 2012 (the California ISO is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines for the grid serving 80 percent of California and a small part of Nevada). Grace began her professional career as a transactional attorney at Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento’s largest regional law firm. 

Josh De Leon is an organizational changemaker, local political leader, and community organizer, currently based in Southern California. As a senior consultant for a diversity, equity, and inclusion firm, he collaborates with major companies to assess and transform their culture and processes. He was elected as an assembly district delegate representing his hometown to the statewide party; becoming one of the first Filipinos in the district to ever hold that role, and has deep ties to grassroots activism in the area. He serves on the board of FilExcellence, with a mission to support, empower, and elevate the Filipino/a/xs globally, as well as the nonprofit Rising Organizers. Josh previously has worked in or alongside NGOs, government agencies, private companies, and education programs, and will bring that interdisciplinary and multisectoral background to FYLPRO. He holds a master’s degree from Stanford University.

Daniel Galeon IV currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Christine and their 3 children – Daniel Antonio, David Ricardo and Gabriella Rose. He is a Product Risk Strategist at Stripe, a developer-oriented commerce company, where he leads risk governance for the financial services business vertical. Previously, he was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs in both their Asset Management and Global Markets businesses, where he designed and led programs for operations, electronic trading, and prime services. He also held analytical and product roles at First Quadrant LP, Blackrock and Fisher Investments. Daniel is an active member of the Filipino-American community. He currently serves on the National Executive Board for the International Society of Filipinos in Finance & Accounting and was previously the President for the New York Chapter. He also serves as the President of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of New York. Daniel is a firm believer in higher education and is actively involved in outreach and admissions for Yale University, UC Berkeley, and The Riordan Programs at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Daniel obtained a B.A. with Honors from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He also studied at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati, Philippines.

Genevieve Villafranca Jopanda is the first American born of Ilonggo and Karay-a parents. She is a leadership executive with over 20 years of business operations experience across non-profit, corporate, and political and government environments. Genevieve has the most recent immediate impact at the California State Treasury where she served as Chief of Staff/ Chief Deputy Treasurer and top advisor to the elected State Treasurer. There she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of numerous state programs and divisions including upwards of 450 geographically dispersed staff across the state overseeing more than $2 trillion in transactions and an investment portfolio of over $100 billion within a typical year.

Michele Josue is an Emmy award-winning Filipino filmmaker. Her debut MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE is the winner of 10 Best Documentary and Audience Awards from festivals worldwide and the 2016 Daytime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Special Class Special.” Michele is the Creator and Director of HAPPY JAIL, the Netflix Original documentary series about the world-famous Filipino “Dancing Inmates” that won the 2021 Silver Telly Award for Series Documentary for Television. Michele was selected as a 2021 Film Independent Fast Track Fellow with NURSE UNSEEN, her upcoming documentary about the unsung Filipino-American nurses risking their lives on the frontlines of the pandemic while facing a resurgence of anti-Asian hate in the streets.

Agnes Lopez is a Filipino-American editorial and commercial photographer whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, MIT Technology Review, The Local Palate, on the Food Network, in cookbooks, and advertising campaigns for national brands.  For the past five years, Lopez has been hard at work directing her first documentary, JAX Filipino Chefs, following the journey of a group of Filipino-American chefs as they set out to change the culinary scene of her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida with their food. Her portraits of Filipino World War II veterans and Holocaust survivors, The Faces to Remember Project, is a traveling exhibit that has been featured at galleries and museums across Florida. Lopez recently launched a new talent agency, Pose Well Models, that focuses on providing a diverse and inclusive roster of models for today’s brands and ad campaigns.

Angelo Mathay is an Administrative Judge at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission based in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he adjudicates employment discrimination claims filed by federal employees in three southeastern states. He completed a detail as a Trial Attorney with the Immigration and Employee Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, providing the office assistance with investigations related to citizenship status discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, national origin discrimination, unfair documentary practices during the employment eligibility verification, Form I-9 and E-Verify, and retaliation or intimidation. Previously, he worked at various immigration law and policy-related organizations in Washington, D.C., such as the National Immigration Law Center, Migration Policy Institute, and The Pew Charitable Trusts. Before coming to North Carolina, he was a Program Officer with the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City, where he managed part of the immigration legal services and the food security portfolios.

Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos, EdD, MSN, WHNP, is an assistant professor and an Engaged Civic Learning Faculty Fellow at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ. She practices as a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She is an award-winning author and educator, and a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). Dr. Nagtalon-Ramos currently serves as the treasurer of FAANP’s Executive Committee, a member of the Editorial Board of the Women’s Healthcare Journal, and was recently elected as a Board member of the Filipinx/a/o Community Health Association (Fil-CHA). She is an active member of the Philippine Nurses Association of America and the Philippine Community of Southern New Jersey.

Constancio Paranal III is a lawyer specializing in the field of cybersecurity law. While in law school, he served in various government institutions including the Office of the General Counsel of the University of Hawai’i, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Hawai’i, and the Office of the Attorney General of Guam. In private practice, he worked in the field of Family law and Criminal Defense. Outside of legal practice, he is a faculty fellow at the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. In addition, he helps the City and County of Honolulu at the Office of Economic Revitalization, with the goal of promoting innovation and technology to support the city’s future economic growth post pandemic by creating “good jobs.” Constancio was born and raised in the Philippines. He is an alumnus of De La Salle University – Manila and was recently admitted to the Asian Institute of Management. Outside of work and school, Constancio and his spouse run their own non-profit organization, the Finley Fort Foundation, in memory of their beloved frenchie, Finley. During their spare time, they love to check new restaurants in town with their new baby frenchie, Franklin. 

Danicole Ramos is from Waialua, Hawai‘i on the North Shore of O‘ahu. He is in his final year of law school at the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law. He also serves as Military Equal Opportunity Officer in the Hawai‘i Air National Guard, working to promote an environment free from personal, social or institutional barriers that could prevent Air Force members from rising to their highest potential.

Angelico “Iko” Razon (he/him) is an internist, pediatrician, and public health professional. His father is from Pampanga, and his mother is from Cebu. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Harvard College, medical degree through UCLA’s PRIME-LA Program, master of public health at Harvard, and master of science in health policy research at the University of Pennsylvania. After combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and the National Clinician Scholars Program at Penn, Iko served as an Attending Physician with the Adult Care & Transition Team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a Medical Specialist at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in the Division of COVID Containment. Iko is now an Assistant Professor at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine in the Department of Health Systems Science. He also serves as the Operations Chair of the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine (CYFAM), a FYLPRO Legacy Project. Iko loves painting, dinosaurs, cooking, dancing, and storytelling. 

Michi Trota (she/her/hers) is a writer, editor, and fire performer who is a five-time Hugo Award winner, British Fantasy Award winner, and Ignyte Award finalist. She is the Features Editor of Prism, a former Editor-in-Chief of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), and the first Filipina Hugo Award winner. Michi has been a guest on NPR programs and a speaker at multiple venues including the Chicago Humanities Festival. Her publications include the WisCon Chronicles Vol. 12 co-edited with Isabel Schechter (Aqueduct Press) and the Wing Luke Museum 2018-19 exhibit Worlds Beyond Here: Expanding the Universe of APA Science Fiction. Michi performs with the Raks Geek/Raks Inferno Fire+Bellydance troupe and lives with her spouse and two cats in Chicago.

John Victoria has always believed in the importance of service, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, from his childhood to his training as a U.S. Naval Officer. With these core values, John founded Polianna, a digital marketing agency focusing exclusively on helping home service contractors profitably grow their businesses online with a specialty in local SEO and website development. He’s helped home service companies cross 8-figures in revenue, add hundreds of additional inbound calls every month, and build truly consistent lead flow in their business by implementing effective internet marketing strategies. John is also the host of the HVAC Financial Freedom podcast and the bestselling author of The HVAC Marketing Machine. 

Neil Wingkun works as an emergency physician in Houston, Texas, at Houston Methodist Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center.   During COVID, Neil served on the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) public health committee, helping to improve public health awareness with discharge planning in the emergency department.  Outside of his clinical duties, he serves as the Chief Mentorship Chair for Council for Filipinos Americans in Medicine (CYFAM).

Giving Tuesday: Support FYLPRO

Consider donating to FYLPRO this #GivingTuesday and beyond.

The 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.

In its 10th year, FYLPRO continues to build its network to provide a space for partnerships and collaboration across the diaspora.

Some of the major programs and events we’ve launched and continue to build on this year:
*Tayo – which started as a virtual help desk for Filipinos during COVID19 is now pivoting to an innovative data hub that empowers Filipinx/a/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable future. Since launching in fall 2020, Tayo has amassed more than $300K in grants from Booz Allen Foundation, CDC Foundation, Department Health and Human Services, Northwestern University
*Act to Change Youth Ambassadors – We launched a collaboration with Act to Change’s Youth Ambassador Program to mentor high school students on anti-bullying and mental health peer education
*Tayo Fellows – Our 3rd cohort of fellows completed a successful TikTok vaccine campaign and coordinated vaccine clinics in Little Rock and Honolulu
*Launched Call center pilot and national vaccine survey
*Conferences – Tayo has presented at several conferences including Independent News Sustainability Summit, Collaborative Journalism Summit, Bulosan Filipinx Studies Conference, National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator Expo, Asian American Research Center on Health Mentored Research Symposium
*Tayo is part of “Power, Platforms and Politics: A Landscape Report on Asian Americans & Disinformation” – launched August 4
*USAI Impact Mentors – We graduated our 2nd cohort of mentees and mentors
*Immersion Program – The return of our signature immersion program and with the increase of the age eligibility from 40 to 45, we saw one of most competitive cohorts to date
*Roadshow – We traveled to Guam, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and Houston hold in person networking and inspiring talks from local community leaders
*Programming – We expanded programming both in person and virtual to offer webinars around topics such as cybersecurity, genealogy and how to travel the world on points and miles
*FYLPROFridays – Board member Annalisa Burgos launched her weekly series
*Legacy project Project Ligtas Bata – launched at our 10th anniversary celebration on June 22

And much more….

Support FYLPRO today:

https://bit.ly/FYLPROGivingTuesday 

Filipino Young Leaders Program’s Tayo Announces Act to Change Youth Ambassadors & Virtual Mental Health Workshop for High School Students

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Krystle Canare

krystle.canare@fylpro.org

November 28, 2022

 

Filipino Young Leaders Program’s Tayo Announces Act to Change Youth Ambassadors & Virtual Mental Health Workshop for High School Students

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) Tayo is pleased to announce its collaboration with Act to Change’s Youth Ambassador Program to mentor high school students on anti-bullying and mental health peer education.

 

The 2022 FYLPRO Act to Change Youth Ambassadors (in alphabetic order) are:

  1. Abigail Chan (Freshman, Chicago, IL)
  2. Chris Deng (Senior, Chicago, IL)
  3. Tricia Derecho (Senior, New York, NY)
  4. Leyao Annie Dong (Senior, Shanghai, China)
  5. Vivian Kusnoto (Freshman, Chicago, IL)
  6. Alessandra Pador (Senior, Los Angeles, CA)

 

Over the past eight weeks, FYLPRO served as one of three mentorship sites for Act to Change’s Fall 2022 Youth Ambassador Program. Mentored by FYLPRO Tayo’s Michelle G. Garcia and Christian Flores, ambassadors participated in bi-weekly workshops around Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) mental health. Guest speakers included Dr. Joyce Javier of Filipino Family Health Initiative and daughter Noelani Joo, who spoke about addressing anti-asian hate in school and how to navigate these difficult situations as a family. Michelle G. Garcia representing Thriving Asians, facilitated a workshop on “Mental Health as a Foundation for Success for Filipinx/Asian American Young Leaders,” encouraging students to explore how their cultures & communities support their wellness, and how they can leverage their power as leaders & role models in shaping mentally healthier Filipinx/Asian American communities.

 

“Each of the students has worked hard these past weeks envisioning how Filipinx/Asian American communities can be more supportive, and honing their skills as peer educators & supporters to actualize those visions,” said Michelle G. Garcia, Co-Mentor for FYLPRO’s Act to Change Youth Ambassadors. “It’s been an honor to mentor and learn from FYLPRO’s youngest leaders yet, and I can’t wait to see the meaningful impacts they continue to make in our communities”

 

Tomorrow Tuesday, November 29th at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT, the FYLPRO Act to Change cohort will share their insights and showcase their skills as peer educators in an online mental health workshop titled, “Mental Health Explained: Asian Edition,” geared towards their high school peers. The workshop is free and open to any high school student interested in joining the conversation on AAPI mental health. To register for the workshop, go to: tinyurl.com/fylpro-yap-register

 

To support their continued growth, the cohort will meet with previous Act to Change cohorts this December in Chicago, IL for a mental health summit sponsored by the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). Over the two-day summit, students will engage in topics around AANHPI mental health, suicide prevention, resiliency and the power of allyship. Students will learn from national mental health experts and community leaders while building community with each other. 

 

“FYLPRO is rooted in empowering youth leaders and we do so by helping them care for their mental wellbeing,” said Krystle Canare, FYLPRO Tayo Mental Health Advisor and Policy Director of NAAPIMHA. “By modeling the way, we hope these dialogues around mental health become the norm.”

 

######

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, visit fylpro.org.

 

About Tayo

Tayo, a project of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), is an innovative data hub that empowers Filipinx/a/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable future.

For more information, visit tayohelp.com.

 

About Act to Change

Act To Change is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to address bullying, including in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Act To Change’s Youth Ambassadors Program (YAP) engages and empowers Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth by providing them the resources and tools they need to end bullying in their communities through meaningful conversations, diversification of libraries, and faculty and school administrator engagement.

###

See below for ambassador’s short bios

2022 Act to Change Youth Ambassadors

 

Abigail Chan (Freshman, Chicago, IL)

I am a freshman in high school from Chicago Illinois. Mental health and AAPI anti-bullying matter to me because I am Asian myself and have always felt like I couldn’t open up about bullying having to do with asian hate because it wasn’t really talked about. Not just that but I do struggle with my mental health and that sometimes ties into my internalized racism. So I want to be able to let people that they’re not alone in feeling this way and find ways to combat this kind of hate. This also ties in with my reasons in wanting to be a leader. I want to be able to work with others and encourage others to work towards solutions for ongoing issues and hate. My goals for this program is to be a better ally for other communities and be a better advocate for the asian community. I enjoy drawing, crocheting, and writing when I don’t have a writing block. I can be a bit shy at first but once I get comfortable in an environment I talk a lot more.

 

Chris Deng (Senior, Chicago, IL)

I’m Chris, a high school senior, and I live in Chicago, IL. The continued stress from academics made me realize I needed to take mental health more seriously. It’s important to be a Filipinx/AAPI young leader because when I’m aware of the issues that plague Asian Americans and know how to respond to them, I can be there to listen to and help others who go through similar struggles. My goals with the ATC YAP Program are to learn and become confident in my ability to speak about the injustices. When my college applications aren’t eating away at my sanity, I enjoy playing Minecraft with friends, watching everything funny on Youtube, and practicing the piano.

 

Tricia Derecho (Senior, New York City, NY)

I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m from New York City but I was born in the Philippines. Filipinx/AAPI anti-bullying and mental health is so important to me because as someone who struggles with mental health, I want to be able to reach out to other Filipinx who are undergoing similar issues that I face. My goals in the Act to Change Youth Ambassador Program is to help enact change in my communities and push administration to ensure a safe environment for people of color. I enjoy reading and making collages for fun.

 

Leyao Annie Dong (Senior, Shanghai, China)

I am a senior from Shanghai, China. As an avid student activist in my school community, I’ve recognized how systematic forces like the Model Minority and Forever Foreigner myths concretely impact the wellbeing of AAPI students, making them more susceptible to bullying. I applied for this role to further amplify the inseparable connection between racial/ethnic identity, their corresponding social statuses and assumptions, and the everyday experiences of marginalized students—the social and systematic realms are too often detached from conversations surrounding bullying.

Having said so, my goal for the ATC YAP Program is to add greater nuance and impact to my existing initiatives at school, such as running the biweekly Pan-Asian affinity space. I’d also like to enhance my project development skills while elevating my understanding of the lived realities of Filipino communities and students. I’m excited to expand my activism to a greater national scale!

In my downtime, I love painting, writing poetry, playing volleyball, running, and reading! My guilty pleasure is reading fascinating articles on JSTOR…I also love having conversations, regardless of topic, so feel free to reach out!

 

Vivian Kusnoto (Freshman, Chicago, IL)

I am currently in freshman year of high school. My family is originally from Indonesia, and we live in Chicago, Illinois. Although I have been lucky to not have gotten bullied for being Asian, seeing others being mistreated just because of their nationality is not something to be taken lightly and often makes me feel helpless about not being able to do anything about it. Mental health is an important factor in this, as a person’s mental state will help create a positive influence on how to live their life. Being an AAPI young leader not only helps boost confidence and overall leadership skills, but also gives you a chance to be able to help balance the injustices and hate that is targeted around Asians. My goal here is to be able to educate others about mental health surrounding Asians and how it can affect day-to-day life.

 

Alessandra Pador (Senior, Los Angeles, CA)

As a Senior from Los Angeles, CA, Filipinx/AAPI anti-bullying and mental health matters to me because I am a Filipino woman. Being surrounded by such a strong Filipino community throughout my childhood, I grew a connection to my culture, and wanted to share it with my peers. Seeing and experiencing all these microaggressions and straight up hate crimes, triggers a sense of purpose in me that I need to fulfill because I want people to understand our perspectives, as Filipinos and part of the AAPI community, and how we feel. My overall goal is to build a strong foundation to support my AAPI Association at school and teach my classmates about embracing culture and why we shouldn’t shy away from where we came from, even if we are scared. I enjoy playing the piano, crocheting, and learning new things.