VIA Times – June 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Veronica Leighton
The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago is pleased to announce that two Filipino Americans from the state of Illinois have been selected to take part as delegates in the 2014 Filipino American Youth Leadership Program {FYLPro}. Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer of Tinley Park and Ms. Abbey Eusebio of Lincolnwood were among the ten successful applicants to the program. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C made the announcement. Past FYLPro delegates continue to embark on different advocacies to help promote further progress in the Philippines and engage the Filipino American community. The other Filipino-American fellows for this year’s FYLPro who were selected from nominations from across the United States are: Edward Aparis of Chula Vista, California; Ryyn Chua, Gardena, California; Rommel Clemente, Milpitas, California; Adette Contreras, Brooklyn, New York; Michael Dahilig, Lihue, Hawaii; Rafael Diokno, Washington, D.C.. “I am excited with this group of promising individuals,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said. “We truly had a difficult time narrowing down the choices, as many of the applicants were impressive and well qualified.” Ambassador Cuisia said the delegates will take part in an immersive program in the Philippines from July 24 to 28 that will afford them the opportunity to meet and dialogue with high-ranking officials and policymakers in the Philippines, leaders of industry, media, cultural experts, traditional and social entrepreneurs as well as innovators in different fields. Minister Fernandez said the search for this third group of FYLPro delegates took place between March 2 and May 25. Among the criteria used to evaluate the applications were scholastic achievements and other accolades, leadership skills, accomplishments, active involvement in school, civic, political, business and other organizations, and responses to a set of essay questions. Serving as the program’s partner in the Philippines is the Ayala Foundation, which provides crucial substantive and logistical assistance. The cost of the participants’ airfare, local transportation and accommodations will be funded by several corporate sponsors, including Philippine Airlines and Chevron. PAL, which is considered Asia’s first airline, boasts of a young and modern fleet of aircraft and a route network that spans 31 foreign cities and 29 domestic points in the Philippines. Chevron is one of the largest investors in the country that markets its Caltex brand of products, conducts geothermal operations, and provides operational support for Chevron offices on four continents, including the supply of transactional, processing and consulting services in areas ranging from finance to information technology. Congratulation to these outstanding FilAm youth who are now making their marks in making a difference in our community, showing that they are not just future leaders but our present leaders as well.
Jan Paul Ferrer (left), VT Financial Columnist and Certified Financial Planner at Morgan Stanley, is one of the ten FilAm youth leaders selected as FYLPro delegate from Illinois (please read release above). He is shown with cousin Froilan Cabrera (noted hairstylist-make-up artist from the (Philippines) and Maria Girlie Pascual of VT/CPRTV, photo taken at CPRTV studio. Another member of the VT family, VT Art Columnist Lou Cabalona was also selected as the first and lone FYLPro delegate from Illinois in 2013. By the way, Froilan is a migrant spa owner, full service hair and make-up wizard, who has beautified some of the best faces in the modeling and advertising industries in the Philippines.
The above reigning 2014 beauty queens of the recently-concluded gala night and coronation event of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) will be our featured cover in our July 2014 issue. Beauteous Mrs. Philippines Yoly Zoleta and Mrs. Philippine Independence Myrna Cordero headed this highlighted parade of beauties at the June 7 gala ball celebration held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. (Our apologies to Ms. Cordero for omitting her name from the VT release of the beauty queens’ names in our last May issue). Mea culpa! The other spotlighted PIWC beauty queens are the following: Ella Louise Songco (Little Miss Philippines 2014); Gaudi Hope C. Lopez (Mrs. Chicago 2014), Tina Pumarada (Mrs. Illinois 2014); Nerida Miranda (Miss Chicago), Erika Villalon (Miss Philippine Independence 2014); and Leyamor Gonzales (Miss Philippines 2014 Salute to PIWC Queen Committee Chairperson Lourdes Livas (with co-chair Leticia Freihaut) for a job well-done! This year’s overall chairperson is Ms. Anita Rosa.
