Page 28 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

28 January to June
2017

New York FYLPRO Youth Relates Plans for Community Involvement
Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz presented some
flagship projects that the Consulate has in the pipeline for
the second-gen sector. Diskubre Tour, an educational
heritage tour for young Filipino-Americans, is slated to be
launched in the first half of 2018. A Mentoring Program for
young professionals is being created with tech and other
partners to provide a means to connect mentors and
industry experts with young aspiring leaders and maintain a
venue for learning and collaboration.

A networking mixer followed the program, where
former FYLPRO delegates Michael Vea, Steven Raga,
th
Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega (4 from right) reunites with the Rachelle Ocampo, and Ryan Letada connected with
FYLPRO alumni during a Town Hall at the Philippine Center last 25 April. From left: attendees for possible partnerships.
Vice Consul Khrys Corpuz, Michael Vea, Jhett Tolentino, Noel Aglubat, Consul Gen-
eral Dizon-De Vega, Steven Raga, Rachelle Ocampo, Ryan Letada.
Recent Filipino-American Young Leaders Program

(FYLPRO) delegates from New York Noel Aglubat and Jhett
Tolentino related their immersion experience in the Philippines
and shared their key takeaways to their fellow young Filipino-
Americans during a Town Hall meeting at the Philippine Center
New York Gallery Lobby last 25 April.

Noel and Jhett were the official representatives of the
US Northeast to the FYLPRO last 23 November – 2 December (R-L) Jhett Tolentino, ConGen Dizon-De Vega, and Noel Aglubat share their
2016. During the 10-day trip, they were briefed on the present insights on their FYLPRO experiences.
socio-political and economic conditions in the country, met
senior government officials and policy makers, discussed their
advocacies with lawmakers, and networked with business and Diverse Group of Graduates Honored in
th
social enterprises. 5 PGRAD in New York
The whole program aims to equip the delegates with
resources to create initiatives to give back to their motherland Filipino and Filipino-American graduates of
and enrich the lives of their kababayans in the Philippines. bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees marched
th
together as one community last 20 June during the 5
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed Philippine Graduation (PGRAD) ceremony held at the
the attendees, and gave a brief background of FYLPRO, Philippine Center New York’s Kalayaan Hall.
started by former Ambassador Jose Cuisia in 2012, and the
concept paper for which was initially prepared by Consul The PGRAD Class of 2017 is comprised of 27
General Dizon-De Vega herself. newly-minted degree-holders from diverse fields such as
Law and Social Sciences, Business Management,
Noel Aglubat, a Civil Engineer working for the Federal Medical Sciences, Engineering, and Education. The
Energy Regulatory Board, focused his presentation on the event was hosted by the Philippine Consulate General
infrastructure, income equality and employment opportunities New York in cooperation with second-generation Filipino-
he observed during his stay. Noel plans to create a platform for American organization UniPro.
Philippine engineers to converge with US-based Filipino (Continue to page 29)
counterparts to share expertise, techniques, and collaborate on
projects together.

Multi-awarded Broadway producer Jhett
Tolentino related the developments he wants to see in
education, the performing arts, and entertainment industries in
the Philippines. He narrated his story as a young boy in the
slums of Iloilo who persevered and finished college through
educational grants from Sofia University in Japan. For his
legacy project he is raising funds to sustain scholars from the
most remote and underserved communities in the Philippines
through his projects – Life is What You Make It, a documentary Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega shares her aspirations for the Filipino-
film about his life story, and staging of Here Lies Love the American youth in her welcome remarks.
Musical.