More than seven decades ago, the Philippines and the United States established diplomatic relations. Today, this relationship continues to be robust and comprehensive, founded on the shared values and history between the two nations.
But just like any other long-term relationship, our bilateral ties have been marked by highs and lows given the existence of common goals as well as divergent interests.
Through it all, it is the people – the generations of Filipinos, Americans, and Filipino-Americans – who have driven this relationship onward and forward. Amid changes in politics and policies, the one thing that has remained constant – and unbreakable – is the bond between our peoples, keeping bilateral relations strong and stable. For when all is said and done, the people create and make the most of opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that bilateral ties would continue to thrive in the decades to come.
In the United States, the vital contributions of the more than four million Filipino-Americans to the progress and security of America should not go unnoticed. Many Filipino-American healthcare professionals and essential workers are currently on the frontlines, going above and beyond the call of duty in the battle against the pandemic, working to help keep the US economy going. Tens of thousands of Filipino-Americans are making a difference in their professions as teachers, service members, artists, financial and social services workers, tech innovators, and civil rights advocates.
Filipino-Americans play a productive and positive role in their communities. Despite their contributions, however, they continue to struggle for representation – especially in the realms of politics and policy-making. Although their change-making potential remains largely untapped and unrealized, their voices and visibility are growing in many aspects of society.
Recognizing the importance of cultivating Filipino-American civic engagement to the continued growth and dynamism of Philippines-U.S. relations, the Philippine Embassy in the United States has developed programs to build a pipeline of Filipino-American leaders who will be able to advocate for their communities’ interests and serve as a bridge between the two countries.
The Filipino Young Leaders Program, or FYLPRO, was established in 2012. FYLPRO brings high-performing, next-generation Filipino-Americans to the Philippines every year for a weeklong immersion in Philippine culture, business, politics, and civil society. The immersion program is co-organized with the Ayala Foundation and supported by Philippine and U.S. companies. Since then, FYLPRO has formed an alumni network composed of 84 outstanding Filipino-American leaders spread out across the United States in various fields of expertise.
Some notable FYLPRO alumni include:
- Jason Tengco, recently appointed as the White House Liaison for the U.S. Office of Personnel Budget;
- Jessica Caloza, a Commissioner on the Board of Public Works in the City of Los Angeles;
- Joshua Ang Price, the first Asian-American and Filipino-American to be appointed as an Election Commissioner for Pulaski County, Arkansas;
- Rizza Palmares O’Connor, Chief Magistrate Judge of Toombs County, Georgia and the first Filipino-American judge in that state;
- Jhett Tolentino, an entertainment producer known for being the second Philippine-born recipient of the Tony Award; and
- Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, elected in 2020 to be the state party chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.
FYLPRO is the first program of its kind within the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and remains a viable model of engaging and fostering the Filipino diaspora community through public-private partnerships.
In 2020, the Embassy partnered with the US-Asia Institute to create IMPACT! Program for Filipino-Americans. IMPACT!, which stands for Inspires, Motivates, and Prepares for Action toward Civic Transformation, is an innovative 9-week professional development program that -provides Filipino-American young adults a firsthand look at the U.S. government and political system in Washington, D.C. IMPACT! also allows them to engage civically, and reflect the role that they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the Philippines-U.S. relationship.
The IMPACT! Program for Filipino-Americans hosted its inaugural cohort of six outstanding young people who interned at the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership, US-ASEAN Business Council, APIAVote, OCA Asian American Advocates, API Domestic Violence Resource Project, and the office of Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA). For the Summer 2021 program, USAI and the Embassy are working on establishing mentorship pairings between the IMPACT! participants and the FYLPRO alumni, thus linking up the two programs for greater, mutually reinforcing effect.
As the Philippines and the United States commemorate 75 years of formal diplomatic relations this year, we are putting the people front and center, not only as the beneficiaries of what diplomacy can achieve but, more importantly, as the shapers and movers of the bilateral relationship. By focusing our efforts on developing and empowering the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow, we help ensure that Philippines-U.S. ties will remain relevant, resilient, and well equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges of a fast-evolving world.
Visible, Vocal, Vital: The Growing Power of Filipino-American Youth in Society
An Ambassador’s Corner Commentary
By H.E. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez
In Southeast Asia
More than seven decades ago, the Philippines and the United States established diplomatic relations. Today, this relationship continues to be robust and comprehensive, founded on the shared values and history between the two nations.
But just like any other long-term relationship, our bilateral ties have been marked by highs and lows given the existence of common goals as well as divergent interests.
Through it all, it is the people – the generations of Filipinos, Americans, and Filipino-Americans – who have driven this relationship onward and forward. Amid changes in politics and policies, the one thing that has remained constant – and unbreakable – is the bond between our peoples, keeping bilateral relations strong and stable. For when all is said and done, the people create and make the most of opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that bilateral ties would continue to thrive in the decades to come.
In the United States, the vital contributions of the more than four million Filipino-Americans to the progress and security of America should not go unnoticed. Many Filipino-American healthcare professionals and essential workers are currently on the frontlines, going above and beyond the call of duty in the battle against the pandemic, working to help keep the US economy going. Tens of thousands of Filipino-Americans are making a difference in their professions as teachers, service members, artists, financial and social services workers, tech innovators, and civil rights advocates.
Filipino-Americans play a productive and positive role in their communities. Despite their contributions, however, they continue to struggle for representation – especially in the realms of politics and policy-making. Although their change-making potential remains largely untapped and unrealized, their voices and visibility are growing in many aspects of society.
Recognizing the importance of cultivating Filipino-American civic engagement to the continued growth and dynamism of Philippines-U.S. relations, the Philippine Embassy in the United States has developed programs to build a pipeline of Filipino-American leaders who will be able to advocate for their communities’ interests and serve as a bridge between the two countries.
The Filipino Young Leaders Program, or FYLPRO, was established in 2012. FYLPRO brings high-performing, next-generation Filipino-Americans to the Philippines every year for a weeklong immersion in Philippine culture, business, politics, and civil society. The immersion program is co-organized with the Ayala Foundation and supported by Philippine and U.S. companies. Since then, FYLPRO has formed an alumni network composed of 84 outstanding Filipino-American leaders spread out across the United States in various fields of expertise.
Some notable FYLPRO alumni include:
FYLPRO is the first program of its kind within the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and remains a viable model of engaging and fostering the Filipino diaspora community through public-private partnerships.
In 2020, the Embassy partnered with the US-Asia Institute to create IMPACT! Program for Filipino-Americans. IMPACT!, which stands for Inspires, Motivates, and Prepares for Action toward Civic Transformation, is an innovative 9-week professional development program that -provides Filipino-American young adults a firsthand look at the U.S. government and political system in Washington, D.C. IMPACT! also allows them to engage civically, and reflect the role that they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the Philippines-U.S. relationship.
The IMPACT! Program for Filipino-Americans hosted its inaugural cohort of six outstanding young people who interned at the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership, US-ASEAN Business Council, APIAVote, OCA Asian American Advocates, API Domestic Violence Resource Project, and the office of Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA). For the Summer 2021 program, USAI and the Embassy are working on establishing mentorship pairings between the IMPACT! participants and the FYLPRO alumni, thus linking up the two programs for greater, mutually reinforcing effect.
As the Philippines and the United States commemorate 75 years of formal diplomatic relations this year, we are putting the people front and center, not only as the beneficiaries of what diplomacy can achieve but, more importantly, as the shapers and movers of the bilateral relationship. By focusing our efforts on developing and empowering the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow, we help ensure that Philippines-U.S. ties will remain relevant, resilient, and well equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges of a fast-evolving world.
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