Chevron helps bring Fil-Am Youth Leaders to the Philippines
A new breed of young Filipino-Americans (Fil-Am) are now helping raise the profile and awareness of Filipinos and the Fil-Am community in the US. These leaders, chosen as official delegates of the Filipino-American Young Leaders Program (FYLPro), were in the country recently with the support of Chevron to help advance Philippine interest by meeting with leaders in policy-making, social entrepreneurship, business and their own counterparts.
The delegates took part in immersions and dialogues with Philippine industry leaders and policymakers. They engaged young officials in the government, met with social entrepreneurs from Gawad Kalinga in Quezon City, met with US officials at the US Embassy, participated in a learning activity of Teach for the Philippines, and experienced life at a Gawad Kalinga Village in Cavite. On their last day, the delegates were also able to attend a planning session with the American Chamber and the Makati Business Club where they were given a briefing on current Yolanda rehabilitation efforts.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated that "the delegates were selected in recognition of the work they are doing to advance the welfare of their respective Filipino-American communities, among other criteria." Chevron, one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, has again provided support to the program by sponsoring the FYLPro’s logistical and financial aspects for the third straight year now.
“Chevron is proud to have partnered with the FYLPro and supported its delegates over the last three years. Both the Philippines and the Filipino-American community in the US have unique needs that will be better understood by bringing the best and the brightest among the Fil-Am youth to this country. The Philippine-US tie up, one of the oldest and strongest in the region, now has a brighter future with the FYLPro initiative,” said Peter Morris, CPI country chairman.
All coming from accomplished backgrounds, the FYLPro delegates included Edward Aparis, a consultant at Strands Group in Chula Vista, California; Ryyn Chua, the founder and CEO of Double Y Entertainment; Rommel Clemente, supervising senior associate for Connor Group; Adette Contreras who is a creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi; Michael Dahilig, director of the Department of Planning at the County of Kauai in Hawaii; Rafael Diokno, a project lead at SGT, Inc.; Abbey Eusebio, a constituent advocate at the office of US Representative Jan Schakowsky; Jan Paul Ferrer, associate vice president at Morgan Stanley; Ryan Letada, the CEO and co-founder of Next Day Better Inc.; and Jason Tengco who acts as a senior advisor at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The 10 were selected for their outstanding leadership and for demonstrating active involvement in their respective communities in the US.
The FYLPro, a brainchild of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cusia, aims to provide young Filipino-American individuals in the US the right exposure and experience in Philippine life as they become leaders in their respective communities. After their week-long immersion in the country, the young Fil-Am leaders are expected to start or even further intensify their advocacies in politics, community service, culture promotion, tourism, entrepreneurship and education, among others. Launched in 2012 in partnership with Ayala Foundation, and with generous support from Chevron, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulates in the US screen more than a hundred applicants each year to identify 10 outstanding young Fil-Am leaders who show great potential in strengthening Philippines and US ties.
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