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#### Join Us
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## Apply for 2025
Are you a rising high school Sophomore, Junior, or Senior across the global diaspora of Filipino descent? Are you interested in learning about your Filipino history, culture, and heritage? Do you want to be a part of a fun and supportive community of young loeaders who are actively engaged in their communities? Join our program and travel with us to the Philippines in the summer of 2025!
* 2024 Application Timeline:
  + Open from October 1, 2024 through January 18, 2025
* Admissions decisions will be sent out by mid Feb latest
  + October 12, 2024 – Program Overview
  + November 9, 2024 – About the Immersive Experience
  + December 7, 2024 – Tips for Applying
  + January 11, 2025 – Hear from our Alumni
* View recording of past info session to learn more:
* There will be some changes in locations and minor program details but these should provide you with the most basic information about the program
!!
##### **The Philippine Living****Heritage Initiative**
A 501 (c)3 non-profit organization
### Applications **EXTENDED**
Due to multiple requests for more time to finish the applications, we are extending the deadline to January 31!
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#### Support Our Work
The sustainability of our exciting and important work depends on your support. Your giving will go directly to our programs including need-based financial aid for participants.
## FYGLP 2024 Cohort
Meet 32 high school student leaders of Filipino descent across the United States, Canada and Asia who are deeply interested in exploring their identity, learning more about Filipino history, culture and heritage, and growing as leaders.
  !
Canada
### Jeremy Alonso
   !
Hawaii
### Elyssa Arquero
California
### Janelle Banaria
Massachusetts
### Liam Bautista
### Mia Brillantes
New York
### James Buffalano
Thailand
### Julienne Grace Bustamante
New Hampshire
### Gianina Belle Cayabyab
### Joshua Chan
### Paloma Lucy Dabatos
New Jersey / New York
### Christopher Deoki
### Rachel Deoki
Illinois
### Indigo Field
### Leala Florendo
### Ben Gabiola
### Michael Gatbonton
### Judah Geronimo
### Brix Kozuki
Texas
### Carlos Lee
### Faith Libarios
### Brandon Lindsey
### Aaron Lirio
### Victoria Liwanag
### Adrienne Milhauser
### Alexis Molina
### Charles Parsons
### Noah Sahagun
### Kai Sierra
### Diondre Thoroughgood
### Joaquin Toledo-Chae
### Hailey Patrish Valencia
Connecticut
### Cameron Zapanta
    !
### Canada
## Jeremy Alonso
Participating in the Filipino Young Global Leadership Program offers the promise of personal growth. By fully immersing myself in the vibrant history of Filipino culture, I will be able to gain a deeper understanding of my roots and cultural identity as a Filipino.
Grade:Incoming Senior
Leadership:Mckenzie United Soccer Club U10 Barcelona team Head Coach; Southern Alberta Robotics Champions 2023 and 2024; Nike Team Elite XI Canada 2007 group Soccer Player
 !
### Hawaii
## Elyssa Arquero
Traveling abroad in the Philippines with other young leaders is an extremely exciting and a transformative experience for me. I will be immersed into the rich tapestry of my heritage, fostering a deep understanding of my identity, history, and culture. Engaging with the vibrant local communities will enhance my global perspective and strengthen my connection to my roots.
Grade:Incoming College Freshman
Leadership:Hawaiʻi News Now Intern; Student Body Vice President; Prom Head Planner and Coordinator
### California
## Janelle Banaria
This experience of learning more about my culture, history, and identity will allow me to grow as a young leader because I’ll get to learn and unlock a new side of myself that I can use to educate others and hopefully help other young Filipinos find a part of themselves.
Leadership:JV Basketball Team Captain for 2 years; Afghanistan refugees Volunteer; Girls for Business Club Alameda Co-President
### Massachusetts
## Liam Bautista
Entering my freshman year of college this fall, this trip gives me the opportunity to experience independence far from my family and home for the first time. It also gives me the chance to find myself and connect to the culture I so proudly wear on my sleeve.
Leadership:Salem High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team Captain; Class President/Vice President; Peabody Essex Museum Emerging Arts Leader Intern
## Mia Brillantes
Growing up far from my Filipino heritage, I have always felt a part of myself was missing. Through FYGLP, I hope to explore my heritage and cultural identity in a way that I couldn’t before. This self-awareness will help me understand myself and become the leader I want to be.
Grade:Incoming Junior
Leadership:Student Council Class Representative, Chance No. 2 (a sustainable fashion company) Founder, Citizens Climate Lobby Volunteer.
### New York
## James Buffalano
I hope that learning more about the history and nature of the Philippines will help me engage more with others but also allow me to interact with a country outside of my home one and build on respecting others.
Grade:Incoming Sophomore
Leadership:Xavier Mission Volunteer; Youth Ministry Leader; House/Pet Sitter; Fencers Club Member
### Thailand
## Julienne Grace Bustamante
This experience, where I will have the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of history, identity and culture, will help me become a better leader as I navigate being a young Filipino in Thailand. Learning more about myself and where I come from will help me become more confident of what I can bring to make my communities better.
Leadership:Orchestra Director Assistant; Kitchen Operations, 2023 Sports Day, Mathayom Taksin Rayong School Volunteer; 1st Bangkok International Performing Arts Piano Competition 2023 Second Place
### New Hampshire
## Gianina Belle Cayabyab
This experience will help me grow as a leader by improving my communication skills and strengthening my ability to work with others. With these skills being evolved into something stronger and better, I can not only become a better leader, but also a better team player.
Leadership:Student Council Representative, Tutor, Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (BKP) Volunteer, Iskwelahang Pilipino student and dance team member
## Joshua Chan
I have always viewed the Philippines from the social media my mom shows me. Going into this program, I hope to immerse myself in a new world. Surrounding myself with people from the same background and lifestyle is what I need to become more connected with my culture.
Leadership:Small business owner – @adorenexus; Class of 2024 President; Election Campaign Worker, Youth Service Worker, SouthEast Asian Youth Program Coordinator
## Paloma Lucy Dabatos
Through my exploration of my culture and identity, I will have gained valuable insight that I plan to incorporate into my own leadership style. As I continue to grow, not only as a leader but a collaborator as well, I will use these new experiences to work and connect better with my team while staying true and understanding myself on a deeper level.
Leadership:Homeless Shelter Volunteer, Library Volunteer; Leadership Class Committee Coordinator
### New Jersey / New York
## Christopher Deoki
This experience will deepen my knowledge of my family and culture and allow me to better understand and express myself.
Leadership:Project New Yorker Member; Peer Mediator
## Rachel Deoki
This experience will teach me how to connect with others outside of my background. As a young Filipino woman, by bringing my own culture into a space, I am able to show a new group who I am and what my past experiences are, as well as show my ability to understand and find the connections within my own culture by using those skills to connect with other people’s cultures.
Leadership:Career Development Center Part-time Website Designer; 2021 Orion Military Scholar
### Illinois
## Indigo Field
I am beyond enthusiastic to have the opportunity to go to the Philippines. I have always wanted to return to the country that my family is from and learn more about the Philippines’ rich history. Furthermore, I am excited to interact and learn from my peers of Filipino descent.
Leadership:National Stilt Walkers of Canada Costume and Social Media Manager; Pan Asian Leadership Society rising President; SouthEast Asian Recovery Action Center Advocate
## Leala Florendo
An experience of this nature will help me grow as a young Filipina leader because I would be able to know who I am and get a better understanding of myself, the bond between me and my culture, and the confidence that I have always longed for.
Leadership:Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony Section Leader; Filipino Curriculum Project Collaborator; Rainbow Aquatics and Kalani High School swim team member
## Ben Gabiola
This experience will help me grow as a young leader by surrounding myself in a new environment, exposing me to things that I would not normally experience. This will inspire me to accomplish more within my life and hopefully inspire the people around me to do the same.
Leadership:Kindergarten and Elementary Choir Mentor and Volunteer; Church Worship Team member
## Michael Gatbonton
We ought to uplift humanity, and a leader can not do that if they do not know the history and culture of their people. By understanding where we came from, we can chart a better path to where we are going.
Leadership:Speech and Debate Captain; Marching band flute section leader
## Judah Geronimo
I will be able to form a deeper connection with my cultural identity and use this connection to build more connections within my community.
Leadership:American Canyon High School (ACHS) Key Club Secretary; ACHS Musical Theater Actor; ACHS Mindfulness Leader
## Brix Kozuki
This experience will help me to better connect with my history, culture, and sense of belonging. As I begin young adulthood as a mixed-race diasporic Filipino, I will learn more about where I come from. I will use the knowledge from this program to help others navigate their own journeys.
Leadership:Punahou School Filipino Club President and Filipino Curriculum Project Core Team; Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout; Distinction in Global Education Candidate
### Texas
## Carlos Lee
It will help me to grow by allowing me to learn new things about myself and my culture, and also by allowing me to be able to connect deeper with my roots as a Filipino-American. I hope that I am able to learn more Tagalog and history, to experience things that will help me to grow in my confidence of leadership, and to have a fun time.
Leadership:Solo Violinist of 8 Years; Young Men’s Service League Volunteer; Headmaster’s List Award Recipient
## Faith Libarios
I am looking forward to an immersive experience which will plant seeds of empowerment in young leaders like me. This unique experience – to learn our history, identity, and culture in the Philippines – will give me the foundation needed to deepen my Filipino roots and grow as a leader on my journey.
Leadership:S.H.I.N.E Performing Arts Assistant Director and Assistant Producer; PAC-5 Wrestling Team Captain; Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawai‘i Volunteer
## Brandon Lindsey
Discovering the many different aspects of history, identity, and culture will help me grow as a leader because it gives a new, useful perspective.
Leadership:Longfellow Stingrays Swim Team Coach; Natick High School Swim and Dive Varsity Captain; Iskwelahang Pilipino Member
## Aaron Lirio
I am looking forward to deepening my knowledge about my culture through this program. I have always been very curious about my heritage, and I am very excited to be attending and making new experiences and learning what it is to be a Filipino.
Leadership:Class Senator; Varsity Soccer Team Member; School Photographer; Young Students at Valeo Futbol Club Ironman Clinics 2022 and 2023 Mentor
## Victoria Liwanag
This will be my first time experiencing the Philippines with my peers instead of my family, and I expect to see aspects of the Philippines that I have never seen in my previous trips.
Leadership:Austin Preparatory School Asian Club Vice President; Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla Member (Banduria Player); Beginner Banduria Class Instructor; Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger Volunteer
## Adrienne Milhauser
It is so important for young leaders of Filipino descent like me to feel closely connected to their Filipino heritage. What I have experienced and learned from both the stories I hear from my parents and my own research, I have learned quite a bit about the life of Filipino-Americans. Through PLHI, I will be able to immerse myself in our true Philippine culture, and be able to take what I learn and share it with the rest of my community back home.
Leadership:Published three poems through the New Hampshire Teens Poet Anthology; School Dance Captain; PEA Student Listener/Counselor
## Alexis Molina
Growing up, I yearned for opportunities, experiences, and challenges. Experiencing this program hands-on will expand my knowledge in other places, allowing me to extend my hand to those not only in Hawai’i, but across the world. Throughout this experience, I wish to inspire appreciation for Filipino history, ancestry, and culture.
Leadership:Mililani High School Culture Fair 2023 & 2024 Host & Organizer of the Filipino Booth; Student Alliance for Mental Health & Wellness President; Tri-M Music Honor Society President and Symphony Orchestra Member of the Year Award 2022
## Charles Parsons
These experiences will hopefully guide me along a path of learning, inspiring me to become a leader in what I do. By meeting new people and experiencing new things, I will use them to grow into a young leader in my community.
Leadership:Represented Hawaiʻi in a national 4-person team sailing event; Varsity member in all school affiliated sports; Youth Sailing Program Assistant Coach
## Noah Sahagun
I have learned that history about the world can have countless perceptions, and there’s not always absolute truth about the past. Immersing myself in this program will help build an understanding of my history/identity, which can strengthen my leadership ability so I could express my understanding of history to others.
Leadership:Asian Club Treasurer; Top 10 Scholar; Royal Family Kids Camp, Jr. Counselor; JV Volleyball Team; California Scholarship Federation 3-year member
## Kai Sierra
I have always wanted to learn more about my culture and identity. I believe doing this will help me grow as a leader by deepening my cultural sensitivity and being able to connect with other leaders that are just like me.
Leadership:Class of 2026 Vice President; Pelham Community Theatre Volunteer; Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Key for Photography Winner
## Diondre Thoroughgood
This experience will help me grow as a young leader by increasing my communication skills, working with others, and deepening my knowledge of my own heritage by experiencing it firsthand. I will grow as a citizen and strive for change as a young leader.
Leadership:Future Business Leaders of America Member; Environmental Club Member; Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising Event Volunteer
## Joaquin Toledo-Chae
This experience will be a fundamental part in helping me learn and recognize not only my identity, history, and culture, but that of others like me. With this knowledge, I can help unite us, and together we can influence the world from our understanding of our true selves.
Leadership:Soccer Player; Violin String Chamber Quartet Member; Book Donation Drive Project Leader
## Hailey Patrish Valencia
This experience will enable me to develop a resonating pride in my Pinoy blood and show others how to see through a bicultural lens. As I navigate my place in the world, I want the powerful Filipino warmth to shine through me as I continue fostering belonging in my community.
Leadership:Student Immigrant Panel Volunteer Speaker; Kumon Math and Reading Center Tutor; Salvation Army through Key Club Volunteer; Awarded “Exemplar Benchmark Skill Award” for demonstrating all school-wide objectives
### Connecticut
## Cameron Zapanta
I was born and raised in the United States and have never had the chance to go to the Philippines until now. Learning about my culture will be a way to learn more about who I am. This will help me grow as a leader by allowing me to be more confident in myself and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Leadership:Connecticut Drama Association Festival Assistant Stage Manager; Ambassador for new students; Students with special needs Mentor
#### Contact Us
Want to learn more about our organization or apply for our program or collaboration?
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The Philippine Living Heritage Initiative
Globally Strengthening Filipino Community & Identity
Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:36:33 +0000
en-US
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