Filipino Young Leaders Program Announces 2022 Immersion Cohort

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

October 17, 2022

Filipino Young Leaders Program Announces 2022 Immersion Cohort

Washington D.C. – The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), is pleased to announce the 2022 FYLPRO Delegates. 

This year’s class marks the first in person immersion program in more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 2022 FYLPRO Delegates (in alphabetic order) are:

  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

In the 2022 application cycle, several changes were made that yielded an even more competitive application pool including raising the age limit from 40 to 45 and implementing an application administration fee. The immersion program selection committee also instituted a rigorous first blind cut round and a final virtual interview process where applications went through a series of several reviewers over the course of a multiple week process. 

The increased age limit also gave an opportunity to those who would have aged out during the pandemic.

“After a two year hiatus due to the global pandemic, I’m pleased to welcome the next cohort of young leaders to experience the life-changing, transformative experience my 2019 cohort went through,” said 2022 FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao. “This year’s cohort raises the bar across underrepresented industries and locations. I’m excited for them to join the FYLPRO family and network.”

The 2022 cohort includes a five-time Hugo Award winner, an administrative judge, emergency room physician and Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker among this year’s delegates. This year’s cohort includes new regions represented with delegates from Raleigh, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida.

The delegates will be traveling in a week-long immersion trip to Manila, Philippines in November. 

“We welcome the resumption of FYLPRO’s in-person and immersive leadership development experience for the newly expanded delegation of 15 Filipino-American young professionals. There is no better way to cap off the 10th year anniversary than to showcase the growth of FYLPRO to the Filipino-American community,  and to major Philippine partners in the government, non-government, and private sector.” said Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. “I look forward to personally meeting and hosting them in Manila, and learning about their vision and aspirations as Filipino-American leaders.”

The delegates will get the opportunity to interact with Philippine Government officials and leaders in the fields of business, arts and culture, and civil society.

“We are honored to provide a platform for our Fil-Am leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue with movers and shakers both in the Philippines and the United States. We look forward to collaborating with our delegates in creating an impact in the lives of Filipinos all over the world,” said Ayala Foundation Ruel T. Maranan.

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

Folder for headshots: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17lwCa2wmKsyTVE5xbB1AnMvhHVMylS0-/view?usp=sharing

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 lives in Roseville, CA with her supportive husband and witty 7-year-old son. She 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. 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. Grace was the first Corporate Counsel for the California Independent System Operator (California ISO) from 2007 to 2012 (the California ISO manages the flow of electricity across 80 percent of California’s grid and a small part of Nevada). Grace began her professional career as a transactional attorney at Downey Brand LLP. Grace has been active with the Pilipino National Day Association (PNDA)’s Filipino Fork events since its inauguration in 2017, held various board positions, including President of the Asian Bar Association of Sacramento and served as a Board Member from the Alumni Association of the University of California, Davis (King Hall Law School) for two-terms. Grace earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Davis School of Law and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics, with a minor in Accounting from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) graduating from the UCLA’s prestigious College Honors program, cum laude.  

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).

Immersion Program 2023 FAQs

Is this a program organized/supported by the Marcos Administration?

This program is a partnership between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Ayala Foundation and the Filipino Young Leaders Program, a 501C3 non-profit organization based in the United States. As a non-profit, FYLPRO’s activities, partnerships and collaborations are non-partisan and are wholly organized independently. As such, this program does not endorse any political party/candidate both in the United States and in the Philippines. The Immersion program and its related activities are organized and supported by FYLPRO in partnership with the Ayala Foundation. The partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs is non-partisan and they assume no costs in these activities. 

How much does the immersion cost? Is financial aid available?

Immersion program has no cost to the selected delegate. Transportation and housing costs are covered by FYLPRO, the Ayala Foundation and selected partners and sponsors. The possible out of pocket costs are dependent on current sponsorships.

What safety measures is FYLPRO taking during our time in the Philippines?

FYLPRO and Ayala work closely with each site and event selected as part of its official program to ensure each delegate’s safety is a top priority. We are in contact with local authorities and take every precaution to ensure that everyone’s safety is accounted for from the time delegates land in the Philippines to the time they leave. Delegates travel by private, secured transportation to each site with FYLPRO and Ayala representatives present at all times. Business and government day activities are selected in safe and secured areas and spaces.

What can I expect to gain / take away from the program?

The immersion program is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and connect with leaders both in the Philippines and those from the U.S. The week-long program offers a perspective that cannot be replicated virtually. Alumni of the program have gone on to collaborate with other delegates on their legacy projects, launch startups and lead initiatives that have left a big impact on the Filipino community both domestically and abroad.

What commitments are expected from me during the program?

We expect delegates to be fully present during the entirety of the program. We understand it will be jam-packed but expect delegates to be open and respectful to fellow delegates and colleagues they will meet during the program. We expect delegates to adhere to a code of conduct set by the board of directors and anticipate delegates remaining involved with FYLPRO in some way after returning from the immersion trip. 

Is the immersion limited to Manila?

In 2022, the immersion program mirrored past trips which took place mostly in Manila’s Makati business district and a community excursion to a nearby city or province. We are in discussions of expanding locations outside Luzon in future immersion programs.

What are the living and travel arrangements?

The Ayala Foundation will arrange housing. In recent years, delegates have stayed at a hotel located in the Makati area. Flights will be covered as well and previously have been through airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cathay and Eva Air.

Do I have to be fluent in Tagalog / Filipino?

No.

_________________________________________

Application

How long does the application process take?

We recommend starting your application early to not only put together your application materials but also request your recommendation letters. The application system we use, paperform, will automatically save your application in progress but we recommend you draft your responses in a separate document and transfer them over to the application when ready to finish your application in one sitting. The deadline for application is April 14, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The deadline for your recommendation letters is April 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

How do I apply? Is there an application cost?

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

To apply, complete the application form at https://fylpro.org/immersion-application/. Applications must be submitted by April 21, 2023 11:59 p.m. Pacific. A processing fee of $20 applies to each application. To complete your application, you must have two references to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf no later than April 21, 2023. Applications without two letters of recommendation will not be considered.

Am I limited to two letters of recommendation?

No. You may upload more than two letters of recommendation. But all applications must be accompanied by at least two letters of recommendation for consideration.

Who should write my letter of recommendation?

Ideally, someone who knows you well in a professional, academic, and/or personal capacity should write your letter of recommendation. The recommendation writer may not be someone who has a familial relationship with you, whether by blood or by law. We prefer recommendation writers who know you well, rather than recommendation writers who might be a prominent or public figure that do not know you well. It does not matter whether the recommendation writer has any connection to FYLPRO.

What content should my letters of recommendation include?

Letters of recommendation should ideally speak to one or more of the following: your academic and professional accomplishments; involvement in the Philippines, the Filipino diaspora, and/or Filipino American community; and leadership experience and potential to contribute to FYLPRO and/or Filipino communities after the immersion program.

Filipino Young Leaders Program celebrates 10 years, announces return of immersion program after two year hiatus

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 8, 2022

Filipino Young Leaders Program celebrates 10 years, announces return of immersion program after two year hiatus 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), which has selected 10 to 15 high performing next-generation leaders who advance the Philippines and the Filipino people through their advocacy and expertise in various industries every year to travel to the Philippines, celebrated its 10th anniversary last month.

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.

The special 10th anniversary “Reunite and Reconnect” weekend took place on July 21 to July 24, 2022 in Washington D.C. The celebration was coordinated by FYLPRO board members Joyce King, Jessica Velasco and Sabrina Sayoc.

The anniversary celebration kicked off with a mixer on Thursday July 21.  

On Friday, July 22, alumni and members participated in a Capitol tour in the morning and ended the evening with a formal presentation and dinner at the Philippine Embassy. 

The evening program included special guests Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr., Embassy, Vice Consul Mark Dominic  E. Lim, Embassy Consul General Iric C. Arribas, and Nancy Hsiung from the Booz Allen Foundation.

View Embassy Dinner Video: https://youtu.be/fBDRyv6YPiw

“I had the privilege of witnessing how FYLPRO evolved from the time of its launching to when its members started addressing existential questions and challenges such as whether or not it should apply for 501(c)3 organization status or encouraging active participation among the alumni,” said Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr.  “And here you are now, a 501(c)3 organization celebrating its 10th anniversary!”

As part of the program, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Ascalon and 2021 FYLPRO President Louella Rose Cabalona completed the final signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Embassy, FYLPRO, and the Ayala Foundation Inc (AFI) extending the partnership until December 2025. Previously, the MOU was signed via a virtual ceremony in December 2021.

The evening’s program also included the official launch of Project Ligtas Bata (Project Safe Child) and a tribute to Francine Maigue, a member of the first batch in 2012. She passed away surrounded by her family on Feb. 22, 2022 after battling Stage 4 lung cancer. 

Lastly, FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao announced the restart of FYLPRO’s signature immersion program.

“We are excited to bring this life changing program back,” said Tanglao. 

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.

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.

The immersion program is scheduled to take place the week of November 20, 2022. In addition, the immersion program committee has 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.

For more information visit: https://fylpro.org/immersion-application/

Applicants must complete the application form, pay a $20 processing fee, essay questions and obtain recommendation letters by the Sept 5, 2022 deadline (Sept. 12, 2022 last day for recommendation letters to be submitted). 

On Saturday, July 23, the day’s activities focused on professional development and networking with engaging activities and demonstrations by Tayo and Dynamico Space and Q2 general membership meeting.

General membership meeting deck: https://bit.ly/FYLPROQ2meeting

General membership meeting video: https://youtu.be/rWzIvv5qls0

Tayo demo: https://youtu.be/2IfMXZ21d1k

Dynamico demo: https://youtu.be/ZgTCxjuWrXI

The weekend’s festivities closed on Sunday with a final Filipino food brunch at Purple Patch.

Photos from the Embassy

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 

.

###

 

Filipino Young Leaders Program announces return of immersion trip in 2022

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2022

Filipino Young Leaders Program announces return of immersion trip in 2022

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is pleased to announce the return of its signature immersion program this November.

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.

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.

“We are excited to bring this life changing program back during such a crucial and pivotal time in our community,” said FYLPRO 2022 President Leezel Tanglao. “We’re looking forward to sharing this experience with young leaders looking to contribute and give back to the community.”

The immersion program is scheduled to take place the week of November 20, 2022. In addition, the immersion program committee has 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 is the desire of the DFA, Ayala Foundation and FYLPRO to continue this important program to bring more talented young leaders to the Philippines to represent, bridge, and discover their heritage. 

“Although the global COVID-19 pandemic put a pause to the immersion activities organized under the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), the partnership between the alumni network of FYLPRO and Ayala Foundation has only strengthened, as we collaborated on various initiatives, such as disaster relief, for the benefit of Filipino communities,” said Ruel Maranan, president of Ayala Foundation. “As we resume the FYLPRO immersion in the Philippines this year, we at Ayala Foundation are excited to see new possibilities for collaboration and partnership for the greater good.” 

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez reiterated the importance of the program.

“We welcome the resumption of the FYLPRO immersion program after its two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. This clearly demonstrates FYLPRO’s resilience and deep commitment to its vision of advancing the interests and aspirations of the Philippines and the Filipino community,” he said. “We are truly inspired by FYLPRO’s achievements in the past ten years, and we look forward to our continuing partnership in the next ten years and beyond.”

It has been a life changing and transformative trip for many of the 84 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 the Sept 5, 2022 deadline (Sept. 12, 2022 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.

 

Filipino Young Leaders Program Announces Summer 2022 Class of Tayo Fellows

July 21, 2022

For immediate release:

Contact:

TJ Simba-Medel

tj.simbamedel@fylpro.org

Filipino Young Leaders Program Announces Summer 2022 Class of Tayo Fellows

WASHINGTON D.C. – FYLPRO has selected nine talented young leaders from several states in the US to serve as Summer 2022 Tayo Fellows. The Fellows’ role is to support the ongoing operations of the Tayo help desk, its newly launched call center, and upcoming COVID-19 booster campaigns initiatives and vaccine clinics sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Through Tayo, FYLPRO’s Covid-19 Task Force can identify credible sources of information such as policy think tanks, government agencies, professional and industrial associations, business associations, and social service providers and build a database of resources that the Covid-19 Task Force can utilize in furtherance of its objectives. 

All of these efforts bring Tayo closer to its mission and vision of becoming an Innovative data hub that empower Filipina/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable futures. 

It will not be long that Tayo exists to illuminate the lived experiences of the Filipina/o diaspora and will leverage the use of data to amplify our communities narratives and possibilities.

“Our Tayo Fellows play a pivotal role in informing, curating, and executing the adaptive work of FYLPRO’s Task Force through creative, meaningful projects,” said TJ Simba-Medel, FYLPRO Tayo Fellowship Director, “I can’t express enough how important it is to support our young people during these difficult times. The level of dopeness that they’ve displayed while under the inexcusable amount of pressure the world has applied on them, is textbook for dope. Did I say dope twice? I meant dope twice.”

Now in its third year, the Tayo Fellowship Program expands its cohort to several locations in the Midwest and New England area and has accepted a full-time fellow through partnership with the Center for Asian Pacific American Leadership. Through the program, fellows will obtain the unique opportunity to work on misinformation tracking projects and national digital strategy outreach efforts  through FYLPRO’s work with the National Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, respectively.

According to FYLPRO’s Website, the Tayo web help desk is “designed for seniors, unemployed individuals, and front line workers with information to make decisions to safeguard their health and well being during the pandemic. 

FYLPRO COVID-19 Task Force 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.

FYLPRO’s Summer 2022 Tayo Fellows include:

Yna Aggabao (she/her) – Boston, MA

Yna Aggabao is the Senior Social Media Manager in the Office of Communications at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. At Harvard Chan School, she manages the School’s flagship social media channels and provides guidance to those who work with social media for the School’s many departments, centers, student organizations, faculty, and laboratories.

Previously she worked at Partners In Health (PIH) as their Social Media Manager, spearheading their global organic social media program. In addition to managing the main PIH brand social media channels, she oversaw the channels for PIH’s care coordination sites and clinical programs. Prior to PIH, she was the Digital Marketing Specialist at New England Conservatory.

Bianca Barredo (she/her/hers) – Madison, WI

Bianca Barredo is a rising Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Microbiology with a certificate in Southeast Asian Studies. Additionally, Bianca served as the Cultural Chair for UW-Madison’s Filipinx American Student Organization and I currently hold the position of Co-President External. This past spring, Midwest Filipinx American Summit hosted a conference where upwards of 400 Filipinx students from all over the Midwest. Bianca had the special privilege of planning and hosting the closing ceremony and variety show where they showcased the talents of Filipinx and Asian Americans from Fil-Am and UW-Madison Organizations.

Bianca’s hope for Tayo is to efficiently communicate important information about COVID-19 and healthcare, and as a pre-medical student, wants to help the Filipinx population get the necessary medical advice they need! Misinformation is a plague in our society nowadays, so Bianca wants to help the older Filipinx generation navigate their way to finding the correct information. Through this fellowship, Bianca wants to grow their research, professional, and social skills with the help of the TAYO team. 

Samantha Jane Benavidez- Walsh (she/her/hers) – Boston, MA

Samantha Jane Benavidez- Walsh is a doctoral student at Suffolk University, Boston in the Applied Developmental Psychology program. She works in the Youth Development in Context Lab under Dr. Amy K. Marks where she does research exploring colorism within the Filipino community. Aside from this, her work as a guidance counselor in the Philippines and as an intern community facilitator at Somerville Teen Empowerment solidified her interest in promoting positive development in youth.

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, she graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and got her Masters in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology degree from Boston College.

Joed Garbo (she/her/they) – Los Angeles, CA

Joed Garbo is a Filipino-American daughter, student, and aspiring health educator. She has a passion for public health, health equity, and mental health. She transferred from Mount San Antonio Community College with an Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer and an Associate in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Kinesiology and Wellness. Now, she is an undergraduate Public Health student at the California State University of Los Angeles (CSULA). At CSULA, Joed is the 2022-2023 President of the Public Health Student Association (PHSA), the Vice President of Operations for the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and a member of Student Leaders in Sex Education (SLISE) Service Learning Opportunity for the statewide initiative #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. She anticipates to graduate in Spring 2023.

Lorenzo Garcia (he/him) – New York, NY

Lorenzo Garcia is a first-gen third-year student at Northwestern University studying Political Science and International Studies with a minor in Economics. With aspirations to use law as an instrument by which socioeconomic and racial justice may be realized in practice as in theory, he has internship experiences in a plethora of fields. These include immigration law, international trade law, family law, criminal law, international cybersecurity research, and political organizing. As a Farrell Fellow at the Deportation Research Clinic, he is particularly proud to have headed efforts to investigate, quantify, and code the highly flawed pseudoscientific practice of “dental radiographs” arbitrarily used by doctors at detention sites to “prove” detainees are older than they claim, so they can be transferred to adult facilities where they are forced to provide unpaid labor.

Born and raised in New York City, Lorenzo has developed inseparable ties with the arts and seeks refuge in local artistic communities wherever he finds himself. As a coordinator and mentor for AMPED (Arts and Music Programs for Education in Detention Centers), he taught Chicago Juvenile Temporary Detention Center residents music theory, lyric writing, and digital music composition, encouraging them to channel their emotions into music-making in order to overcome struggles and self-doubt issues. Additionally, he recently modeled for the UNITY Charity Fashion Show in Chicago, aspiring to reshape the standard of beauty in a way that is inclusive of traditionally underrepresented groups such as Filipino men while simultaneously raising funds to support Chicago artists with disabilities via the Arts of Life Foundation. In his spare time he loves to play the guitar and write songs. Other hobbies include training and hosting events for his school’s Triathlon team, playing pickup basketball with friends, skating, and going to concerts.

Frances Angela Maher (she/her/hers) – Rockville, Maryland

Frances Angela Maher applies her background in healthcare consulting, business development, and life sciences to a broad range of healthcare consulting client projects. She is currently an associate at Avalere Health. Prior to joining Avalere, she held multiple internship positions, including internships with the National Institutes of Health where she conducted cancer research. Additionally, she previously worked with Collage Group as a business development associate, where she helped build new business opportunities and client relationships within the health plans, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, and healthcare industries. She is currently a Tayo 2022 Fellow and was a member of the FYLPRO Volunteer and Mentorship Committee.

Emily Paras (she/her/siya) – Ann Arbor, MI

Emily Paras is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is interested in studying Public Health and is a strong advocate for health equity, mental health awareness, and Filipinx representation in science. As the current Media Chair for the Filipino American Student Association (FASA) at the University of Michigan, Emily manages a variety of social media platforms and helps spread awareness of Filipinx culture and experiences through photography, videography, and other forms of media.

In addition to being a full time student, Emily competes on behalf of the University of Michigan Figure Skating Club and coaches skaters of all ages and levels. In her free time, Emily enjoys discovering new music, listening to podcasts, reading, and playing with her dog.

Ciboney Reglos (she/her) – Madison, WI

Ciboney Reglos is a junior majoring in Global Health with minors in Health Policy and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Currently, she holds positions on campus as the Vice President of the Filipinx American Student Org (FASO), the Operations Intern for the UW Social Justice Hub, and a Health Policy team member for Amnesty at UW. Last year, she served as a conference coordinator for the Midwest Filipino American Summit (MFAS), co-leading the finance and registration teams. Outside of academia, she has experience working as a certified nursing assistant for Global Pointe Senior Living, an outreach volunteer for Annex Teen Clinic, and a volunteer for North Memorial Hospital. Her experience as a Filipina working in healthcare has given her insight as to not only understanding the health disparities that exist within her own community but how those health inequities present in a clinical setting.

At a time with numerous public health issues being brought to light as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, her interest piqued in long-standing health equity issues that have become more transparent, as these now became exacerbated. Her experiences as a Southeast Asian Studies certificate student and Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellow have offered her insight into the cultural nuances that Southeast Asian individuals experience when interacting with Western medical practices. In the future, she is considering the opportunity to pursue a Master of Public Health as a stepping stone to her career aspirations. Her dream job would be to work in a public health or health policy position that works directly with the Filipino community and offers tailored, culturally sensitive services for such individuals. By embracing the intersectionality of her ethnic identity and role in public health, she hopes to create a community for those who have often been underserved in healthcare.

Bianca Vinoya (she/her) – New York, NY

Bianca Vinoya is a development worker and nonprofit professional based in New York. She currently serves as Institutional Partnerships Manager at Breakthrough New York, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equitable education for children and youth. Before doing nonprofit work in the US, Bianca worked as a researcher at the Institute of Philippine Culture, where she studied the intersections of urban poverty, housing, gender, public health, and youth in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

Bianca has a Master’s Degree in International Development from Fordham University (where she earned a Presidential Fellowship), and she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the Ateneo de Manila University (and was awarded the John J. Carroll Award for the Social Sciences). Outside of work, you’ll find her solving the New York Times crossword or reading investigative articles on almost anything that would interest her.

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 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.

# # #

Filipino Young Leaders Program announces third cohort of mentors and mentees in partnership with U.S. Asia Institute’s IMPACT! Internship Program

 

Contact:

Alvin Adriano

alvin.adriano@fylpro.org

July 6, 2022

For immediate release: 

Filipino Young Leaders Program announces third cohort of mentors and mentees in partnership with U.S. Asia Institute’s IMPACT! Internship Program

Washington D.C. – The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) announces 2022 mentor and mentee pairings in partnership with US Asia Institute (USAI) as a means to invest into the youth while providing access to top level leadership and resources. 

The IMPACT! (“Inspiring, Motivating and Preparing for Action towards Civic Transformation”)  Internship Program is a is a once-in-a-lifetime professional development experience for Filipino-American young adults to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington D.C., to engage civically, and to reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the US-Philippine relationship. 

As part of the 9-week IMPACT program, participants are paired with mentors from FYLPRO. This year’s mentorship program consists of six bright and passionate young adults and introduces and engages them in government, policymaking, advocacy, and community engagement.

The 2022 FYLPRO Mentees include:

  • Alaine Johnson, Washington, D.C.
  • Steven Gomez Bautista, Jericho, NY 
  • Lana Mae Vanta, Alexandria, VA 
  • Joseph Matawaran, Washington, D.C.
  • Noelle Villanueva, San Jose, CA
  • Zachary Wandalowski, Frederick, MD

The mentorship program facilitates one-on-one, on-demand meetings with industry leaders and entrepreneurs, which consists of FYLPRO alumni and board members:

  • Joyce King, Frederick, MD (Alumni 2019) 
  • Marie Cunning, Phoenix, AZ (Board Member 2022)
  • Lauren Lalicon, New Brunswick, NJ (Alumni 2018) 
  • Louella Rose Cabalona, Chicago, IL (Alumni 2012) 
  • Bryan Ramos, Atlanta, GA (Board Member 2021) 
  • Joshua Ang Price, Little Rock, AR (Alumni 2018)
  • Jessica Velasco, New York, NY (Board Member 2022)

“I benefited a lot from the IMPACT program, and it expanded my horizons to get to know the Filipino-American and Filipino professional community in Washington, D.C.,” said 2022 mentorship committee member Camille Bismonte.

Building upon FYLPRO’s track record of supporting emerging Filipino leaders, the mentorship program builds a community devoted to creating opportunities and enabling FYLPRO to expand its growing membership.  

“We’re thrilled to kick off our second year with an incredible group of mentors and we look forward to supporting our Filipino youth,” commented Alvin Adriano, FYLPRO Chairperson for the Mentorship Committee.  “We recognize the importance of inspiring and educating Filipino leaders and providing them the resources and networks to be successful.”   

For more information, visit U.S. Asia Institute: https://www.usasiainstitute.org/impactprogram

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 

 

###




FYLPRO’s Tayo Launches Nationwide Survey on Filipino Attitudes Towards Vaccination

 

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

May 30, 2022

FYLPRO’s Tayo Launches Nationwide Survey on FIlipino Attitudes Towards Vaccination

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), through its Tayo project, announces the launch of a nationwide survey to document attitudes surrounding vaccination in the Filipinx/a/o community.

The MAGPABAKUNA na Tayo (“Measuring and Gathering data on Pilipino/a/x American Behaviors, Attitudes, and Knowledge Understanding the Novel CoronAvirus vaccines”) study is a 20-minute survey that will be conducted online and via telephone by Tayo and community partners the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine (CYFAM). The survey is available in English and Filipino and open to all Filipino Americans aged 18 and above – regardless of whether they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or not.

Led by Tayo medical advisor Dr. Melissa Palma, a board certified preventive medicine and public health physician in Chicago, IL, the survey team includes CYFAM members Abigail Ahyong, Giana Apoderado, Neille John Apostol, Siegried Chen, Diana Del Rosario, Sheena Garcia, Samantha Sumait, Matthew Roces, Mericien Venzon, and Megan Yee, with additional support provided by FYLPRO board members and Tayo core leaders Mark Calaguas, Jobel Vecino and Leezel Tanglao.

In furtherance of Tayo’s recently adopted strategic plan, the survey seeks to not only improve data collection on Filipino Americans specifically, but also assist in the disaggregation of data on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities at large. The longstanding practice of aggregating socioeconomic, public health, and other data under one broad AAPI category oftentimes obscures pernicious inequalities at the individual ethnic community level.

Although Filipinos have emerged as the second largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States, FilAms are vastly underrepresented in medical research. “Despite making up over 6% of the US population, less than 0.2% of the National Institutes of Health budget is dedicated to studying the health of Asian American populations,” stated Dr. Palma. “Often times academic researchers label immigrant groups like Filipinos as ‘hard to reach,’ but in my experience it’s often that they aren’t sending the right people to ask and engage with us,” she continued.

“This survey is vitally important to improve collection of data about us as a community,”  said Leezel Tanglao, FYLPRO president and Tayo project director. “The lack of disaggregated data has made it difficult to fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Filipino community. This is the first step in better telling our story.”

The survey, which is generously supported by a grant from the CDC Foundation, can be accessed at redcap.link/FYLPROTayoSurvey. Analysis of results is expected in late fall 2022.

For more information about the survey, visit: https://bit.ly/TayoVaccineSurveyInfo

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 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.

 

# # #

 

FYLPRO’s Tayo Launches Call Center to Answer COVID-19 Questions from Community’s Most Vulnerable Members

 

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Leezel Tanglao

leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

May 3, 2022

FYLPRO’s Tayo Launches Call Center to Answer COVID-19 Questions from Community’s Most Vulnerable Members

Los Angeles, CA — In an expansion of its COVID-19 resources, the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), through its Tayo project, announces the launch of a call center to assist community members with their pressing pandemic-related questions.

Beginning as a virtual help desk in the fall of 2020, Tayo has since continuously diversified its culturally tailored offerings to connect Filipinos with vital information and services, battle misinformation, and improve the collection of data through initiatives like educational webinars, surveys, public service announcement campaigns, and health clinics. 

On May 4, 2022, Tayo will bolster its help desk capabilities by piloting a dedicated hotline to address the needs of Filipinos in the diaspora who may not have adequate access to trustworthy and reliable COVID-related information online. 

“Creating this call center is a natural extension of the work and mission of Tayo – to empower our community by meeting them where they are at and providing them with essential information,” said Leezel Tanglao, Tayo project director and president of FYLPRO. “It’s truly going full circle as we leverage our network and resources both here in the United States and in the Philippines to bridge the gap.”

More than ever a resource like this is needed to ensure accurate and culturally tailored information is available to all members of the Filipino community as the pandemic continues to evolve while official guidance can run counter or is often confusing.

FYLPRO was inspired to develop the call center after evaluating insights gleaned from users of Tayo’s web-based platform and determining that seniors in particular felt more comfortable talking to someone on the phone rather than searching through a website for information.

The call center operates everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time and is available in English and Tagalog. 

Callers can call 1 (800) 899-5090 to reach a representative who can address questions on where to get a booster shot or to find a COVID-19 test. 

The call center pilot is made possible by a grant from the Booz Allen Foundation, which also funded the initial launch of the virtual help desk (tayohelp.com). 

“We’re proud to have played a part in supporting FYLPRO’s work to use innovation and technology to make such a positive difference for the Filipino community,” said Christine Hoisington, Executive Director of the Booz Allen Foundation. “We’re impressed with their efforts and impact.”

The call center pilot will run for 3 months.  

The call center launch team includes a diverse multidisciplinary team from across the United States: Tayo project director Leezel Tanglao, project manager Brian Tajo, product counsel Mark Calaguas, medical advisor Dr. Melissa Palma, technologist and special project manager Jobel Vecino, fellowship director Krystle Canare, and risk mitigator/creative consultant TJ Simba-Medel. 

Operations manager Joselito Alampayan and call representative Dhian Perez are based in the Philippines.

“The insights and learnings from this pilot will help inform how we better serve our community and as we continue to navigate life with COVID-19,” said Tanglao. “This is to ensure no one is left behind just because they don’t have access to technology.” 

 

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:

tayohelp.com

About FYLPRO

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.

For more information:

fylpro.org

# # #

 

Applications open: FYLPRO 2022 Tayo Fellowship Program

FYLPRO Tayo Fellowship Program 

Tayo Fellow

Tayo is seeking its third cohort of fellows to support the ongoing operations of the Tayo help desk platform and the upcoming launch of its Tayo call center. The fellowship is a virtual program and will run from June 5 – August 22, 2022. We are unable to offer monetary compensation at the moment, but please see the below list of other benefits this position offers. 

Why Join Us?

FYLPRO is looking for dynamic content creators who want to focus their talents to help the Filipino American community navigate the COVID-19 health crisis.

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 at National Council on Mental Wellbeing’s Annual Conference
  • Supported Tayo COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Design & Webinar Dissemination Efforts
  • Curated a viral dance video for the Department of Health & Human Services
  • Curated COVID-19 PSAs for the Filipino community in English & Tagalog
  • 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.

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 target population- Filipino seniors and their caregivers, unemployed Filipinos, and Filipino frontline workers.

A panel of subject experts, and recognized leaders in their respective fields, will advise you on pertinent developments, and guide you to where you can seek resources.  They will review your work and provide you with feedback.

You will specialize in two or more of the following areas:

  • Health, Mental Health and Wellness 
  • Medical Advancements and Practical Research related to COVID-19
  • Government Assistance and Benefits
  • Small Business Assistance
  • Immigration and Travel
  • Mobility, Transportation, and Home Service/Delivery
  • Safety and Transmission Prevention  

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 coordination meeting, and bi-weekly 1:1 editorial meetings
  6. Estimated 3-5 hours per week

Desired Qualifications

  • Policy or public health research experience
  • Ability to write for Limited English proficiency populations
  • Short form video editing and production skills
  • Familiarity or proximity to the Los Angeles Community is a plus

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 Krystle Canare, FYLPRO Fellowship Director – krystle.canare@fylpro.org

How to Apply

Due 5/18/2022 at 11:59pm ET 

Application Form  

FYLPRO Tayo Team selected to implement a national whole health program for Filipino American youth 

April 21, 2022

For Immediate Release

Contact: Krystle Canare (krystle.canare@fylpro.org)

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO)’s Tayo was one of five community-based organizations selected by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement Achieving Whole Health (AWH), a national training program designed to improve holistic outcomes in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Next week, five members of FYLPRO’s Tayo team will participate in an intensive training program consisting of a 3-day virtual training and four follow-up coaching sessions with AWH program founder, Dr. DJ Ida, Executive Director of the National Asian American & Pacific Islander Mental Health Association. 

The AWH program provides creative, interactive and culturally relevant ways of improving both health and mental health outcomes for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities. It fills a critical need by drawing on the strengths of community members to train them to become Wellness Coaches. They learn how to take an active role in improving their own health as well as learning ways to help others.

The FYLPRO Tayo Team will be represented by Chachie Abara (Honolulu, HI), Nichole Dungo (Menifee, CA), Carina Gregorio (Los Angeles, CA), Maileen Mamaradlo (Pittsburg, CA), and Aryelle Montecer (Germantown, MD). The team will be supervised by Tayo Fellowship Director Krystle Canare (Waldorf, MD). 

We are excited to offer this program to members in the community. For more information about the program, please e-mail: kcanare@fylpro.org.

About Tayo

Tayo was developed by FYLPRO’s COVID-19 Task Force in response to the ongoing pandemic and to tackle the specific needs of Filipinos in the diaspora and back home. The project features a virtual help desk, Tayo, which connects Filipinos with vital information and services. Tayo’s pilot launch location is Los Angeles, California.

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

# # #