CONSUL GENERAL FERRER MEETS NORCAL DELEGATES TO THE 2023 FYLPRO IMMERSION PROGRAM
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer (center-left) with the 2023 FYLPRO immersion program delegates from Northern California: (from left to right) Lourdes Moldre, Nikki Chan, Christine Melendres, Juslyn Manalo, and Yana Gilbuena. Also in the photo are Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (third from right), and Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug (extreme right). (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, USA – Five young Filipino American women leaders from Northern California recently took part in the annual immersion to the Philippines of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO).
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer welcomed the Northern California delegates to the 2023 FYLPRO immersion program during the latter’s call at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on 4 October 2023.
The following members of the 2023 cohort represent the biggest-ever Northern California delegation to FYLPRO: Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities Co-Director Nikki Chan; Chef Yana Gilbuena; Daly City, California Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo; Sweet Mango Therapy Group CEO Christine Melendres; and incoming Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California President Lourdes Moldre.
During the call, the five FYLPRO delegates shared their experience during their immersion in Metro Manila and Cebu, which included a meeting with Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, as well as other leaders in government, business, media, and civil society.
They also presented their FYLPRO legacy projects, which cover the topics of domestic abuse and violence prevention, Filipino food and beverage promotion, mental health wellness, Philippine nursing education reforms, and assistance to undocumented migrants.
Consul General Ferrer congratulated the five Northern California delegates for completing the FYLPRO immersion program, and extended the Consulate’s offer of assistance for their legacy project proposals.
“I am proud of the achievements of our five inspiring Filipino American women leaders from Northern California, who were chosen to join FYLPRO’s one-of-a-kind immersion to the Philippines. With their newfound connection with the homeland, the Philippines, and their leadership roles in the Filipino American Community, I am certain that the special ties between the Philippines and the U.S. will remain strong in the years to come,” Consul General Ferrer said.
Launched in 2012, the FYLPRO immersion program provides an elite group of young Filipino American leaders with invaluable government, business and community insights, and access to distinguished network captains of government and industry in the Philippines. END
(San Francisco PCG photo)