The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Chicago, successfully conducted the 2nd US Midwest Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) Immersion Program for the twelve Filipino-Americans from the Midwestern States from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and including from other regions, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. It was conducted from January 3 to 9, 2020 in Manila, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.
The program module formally started with Consul General Gina Jamoralin of the PCG in Chicago and CFO Director Marita del Rosario-Apattad welcoming the participants. This was followed by a workshop on basic conversational Filipino by Ms. Einzoely Agcaoili of the Commission on the Filipino Language (KWF).
CFO Secretary Francisco P. Acosta and Undersecretary Astravel Naik joined the participants for lunch and gave their inspiring messages. The afternoon session began with a dialogue with the National Artist for Literature, Mr. Francisco Sionil Jose, on the importance of reconnecting overseas youth with their Filipino roots.
The participants then proceeded to Makati to meet the officials of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), one of the partners of the PCG in the program.
The following day, the group headed to Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan where they learned of the local social enterprises, enjoyed a farming race activity and interacted with the community over dinner.
The third day started with a trip to Gapan, Nueva Ecija where Making a Difference (MAD) Travel gave numerous workshops on social business, climate change, Philippine agriculture, and zero-waste lifestyle. The participants proceeded to a rice-planting activity in the afternoon and cultural dance workshop led by a local dance troupe.
The next day, they traveled to Minalungao National Park where they experienced trekking, swimming, riding the zipline and having a sumptuous lunch on bamboo rafts over the green pristine river of Minalungao.
The following morning, the group met with Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara where she discussed her leadership strategies and initiatives for the growth and development of Cabanatuan City.
Upon return to Manila, the group shopped for souvenirs at a local store and proceeded to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to meet Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, Assistant Secretary Maria Lumen Isleta, and Executive Director Romulo Israel.
Afterwards, the participants went to the US Embassy for a briefing by Mr. Bret Heidemann, Ms. Nina Lewis, Mr. Gary Applegarth, and Ms. Claire Therese Bea. Each official provided information about their office functions and interacted with the participants through the question and answer portion.
On the last day of the program, the group went to the University of the Philippines Diliman campus for a quick university tour.
The closing ceremony was held at the National Youth Commission (NYC) where the participants received their certificates from NYC Chairperson Ryan Enriquez, Commissioner Paul Pangilinan, Commissioner Victor Del Rosario, CFO’s Usec. Naik, and ConGen Jamoralin.
Throughout the program, the group was escorted by ConGen Jamoralin and the CFO YouLeaD Secretariat composed of Ms. Mayumi Kaye Peralta and Mr. Jovian Louis Bulawan.