In its seventh year, the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPro) continues to strengthen the links of Filipino-American youth to the Philippines through a weeklong immersion program.
Held in Manila from Nov. 19 to 25, FYLPRO brought together 10 dynamic young Filipino-Americans who have shown leadership and a passion for service in their respective fields. FYLPRO is a partnership program of Ayala Foundation and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The fellows were: Amanda Bantug (
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Lauren Lalicon (Trenton, New Jersey); Catherine Luib (San Diego, California); Charlynne Mae McGinnis (Honolulu, Hawaii);
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Melissa Palma (Chicago, Illinois); Joshua Price (Maumalle, Arkansas); Brian Tajo (San Francisco, California); and Meriden Villanueva (Los Angeles, California).
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The fellows were selected for their “inspiring work in their communities driven by their passions for the Filipino culture and the advancement of Philippine interests and advocacies in the United States. They now join a prestigious network of 70 young, Filipino-American leaders across the nation to collaborate, exchange ideas, and continue to inspire a wave of diplomatic innovation.”
In Manila, the fellows had the opportunity to interact with leaders from government, business, the non-profit sector, and other fields. They also had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, members of the Philippine Senate, Ayala Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala, and other officials from the Ayala group. They also interacted with members of the local community in San Juan City.
A key feature of the program was that each fellow was assigned a mentor who would help them understand better the realities experienced by Filipinos, and also help them to shape the projects that they wish to implement after the immersion. The selected mentors are thought leaders from various fields in the country.
“We sincerely hope that this experience will only be the beginning of a closer and more productive dialogue between Filipinos Americans in the United States, and Filipinos in the Philippines,” said Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan. “We hope that through the partnerships opened for us by this experience, we can all commit ourselves to continuing to uplift and inspire Filipinos and Filipino Americans.”