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), announced 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:
Michelle Amor – New York, New York
Grace Arupo Rodriguez – Roseville, California
Joshua De Leon – Long Beach, California
Daniel Galeon – Montvale, New Jersey
Genevieve Jopanda – San Francisco, California
Michele Josue – Glendale, California
Agnes Lopez – Jacksonville, Florida
Angelo Mathay – Raleigh, North Carolina
Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos – Sicklerville, New Jersey
Constancio Paranal III – Honolulu, Hawaii
Melissa (Michi) Trota – Chicago, Illinois
Danicole Ramos – Waialua, Hawaii
Angelico Razon – Pasadena, California
John Victoria – Arlington, Virginia
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.
