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## What We Do
## The Filipino Young Global Leadership Program
We provide outstanding students of Filipino descent with the opportunity to deeply explore their Filipino identity and heritage, engage with other young leaders, and participate in an immersive experience in the Philippines.
### What the Program is About
**Transformed Mindset**Gain a deeper understanding and critical consciousness of what it means to be a Filipino in the US today, instigating agency for civic engagement and positive citizenship
**Leadership Growth:**Improve key leadership skills as a Filipino in the US to drive change
**Strong Cohort Community:**
Establish a strong bond of belonging, support and camaraderie among the participants that would transcend the experience
### What You Will Gain from the Program
### Your Program Journey
Sense-Making
##### Sense-Making
Sense-making is the process of finding meaning, taking stock of participants’ experiences as diasporic Filipinos in the U.S., and how connected or disconnected you are from your identity and history.
Critical
Consciousness
##### Critical Consciousness
The process of sense-making leads to a greater critical consciousness, or the ability to question assumptions and preconceived notions, as well as an openness to learning, unlearning, and growth.
Global
Citizenship
##### Agency, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship
Transformation shifts from the internal to the external through the development of agency–the ability to and knowledge of how to use your voice, thought, and action–in the form of civic engagement and global citizenship.
!
#### FYGLP Program Cohort
Get to know these 32 amazing young students of Filipino descent from across the world who form our 2024 cohort. They are deeply interested in exploring their identity, learning more about their Filipino history and heritage, and growing as leaders.
Please join our mailing list to receive reminders about the 2025 cohort application cycle.
## 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
### Online Sessions
##### mid April to mid May on WEEKENDS
Four weekend online sessions, 90 minutes each, prepare participants for their in-person immersive experience and start building a strong community of support.
#### Session 1
###### identity exploration
Learn more about the program, your cohort and yourself through an interactive session of self-discovery and an introduction to the practice of journaling.
#### Session 2
###### Filipino history & Culture
Learn about the evolution of the Philippines from the pre-colonial period to its present as a vibrant democracy, and explore the islands’ geography, languages, culture, food, and diversity.
#### Session 3
###### Filipino Immigrant History
Learn how Filipinos have contributed to shaping the global ecosystems by exploring key events in the immigrant history across the world, and begin preparing for the immersive experience in the Philippines.
#### Session 4
###### Intercultural Competence
Learn “Filipino culture universals” in dance, song, language, and food, and reflect on the connection between your values, leadership ability and identity.
#### Session 5 [optional]
###### Wikang Filipino
Learn some basic Filipino words that will help participants make the most out of their immersive experience across the Philippine islands
##### Frequently Asked Questions
How many participants do you expect to admit for the 2024 cohorts?
We plan to admit a cohort of between 20-30 high school student leaders from across the global diaspora.
What information will you gather for financial aid considerations?
Our financial aid will be entirely need-based. The application form includes questions that request the parent/s to explain the context of their need-based financial aid application and then to upload their parents’ 2022 income tax statement.
Can a graduating senior apply?
YES, we can consider seniors who have just graduated by and are 18 by the summer 2023.
What arrangements are made to ensure the safety of the students during their time in the Philippines?
We take the safety and security of our participants and our team very seriously so we have taken significant steps towards ensuring this. First, we visited all the sites and accommodations the participants and our team will visit and reside in. Second, we will have a local counterpart in all of the islands we will visit. Our staff and these partners together, we will have a ratio of about 4-5 students for each staff member. Finally, we will require parents and students to participate in a mandatory pre-trip orientation to ensure norms, expectations, communications and operational details related to the trip will be discussed and implemented accordingly.
Do you know the schedule of the 4 online sessions in April-May?
Yes, For cohort 2: April 27-May 25; for cohort 3: April 28-May 26. All online sessions will be 60-90 minutes per session. We are currently finalizing a time that would work best for our participants across timezones.
What is covered by the program parents’ contribution?
It covers (1) four online sessions of 90 minutes each taught by top-notch faculty in identity exploration, Filipino history and culture, FilAm history and leadership, (2) food, accommodations and transportation within the localities visited including airport transfers, i.e. bus or van, throughout the 15 day Philippine immersive experience (3) all costs related to visits to important historical and heritage sites and museums like entrance fees, as well as engagement with young people and significant leaders and organizations and (4) dedicated and competent team who will take good care of the participants.
For more information, email info@philippinelivingheritage.org.
What should participants prepare to spend for?
(1) International travel to and from the United States and Manila, (2) domestic airfare from across the Philippines during the entire immersive experience, (3) health insurance for the entire 15 days while in the Philippines, (4) incidentals such as vitamins and medicines, (5) immigration related costs as well as (6) any costs outside of the dates of the immersive experience
How do you envision sustaining the community among the graduates after the program?
Building community is an integral goal and outcome of our programs. Success in this endeavor will necessitate the joint efforts from our team and our participants. We intend to build an ecosystem that will transcend the program experience and that will build a lifelong bond of support, friendship and mentorship. A few weeks after the trip, we intend to gather all participants together to debrief and discuss next steps. We are also hoping to put together alumni-specific programs and mentorship opportunities for all cohorts. We want our program graduates to remain engaged, supportive and thriving, including for example organizing/co-organizing their own reunions and recurring gatherings post their experience and helping us shape future programs. Long-term, we hope to build a Philippine Living Heritage network with our participants, their families, heritage workers, advocates and supporters globally. After all, our heritage belongs to all of us, and its future is in the hands of our young people.
### Philippine Immersive Experience
Participants will experience a transformative immersive experience that will consist of curated visits, exploratory conversations and personal and group reflections across the 3 main islands of the Philippines – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that will:
* Expose them to important historical sites that have shaped and continue to shape the Philippines’ rich and diverse history;
* Engage with fellow young leaders who are serving in the trenches;
* Experience its pluralistic culture and traditions.
## Knowledge Hub
We are working on more exciting projects to foster a deeper appreciation for our rich and diverse living heritage including a possible online library of resources related to Filipino global history and information celebrating Filipino excellence across the world.
Source: Living Heritage and Education, 
#### What is Living Heritage?
**INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE** – or ‘living heritage’ – is inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants. It includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and the knowledge and skills related to craftsmanship. It is continuously recreated as it is transmitted from generation to generation, and evolves in response to our environment.
Living heritage is important because it offers communities and individuals a sense of identity and continuity. It can promote social cohesion, respect for cultural diversity and human creativity, as well as help communities build resilient, peaceful and inclusive societies.
## Heritage Network
To do our best work and to achieve greater impact in diasporic global communities, it is imperative for us to collaborate with other organizations that have a related mission to ours, to build a strong heritage network.
##### **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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## Alumni
From All Across the World
 Filter byAll 2023 Pioneer Cohort 2024 Cohort
## Alumni Leads
!!**Jaereyn Millare Javier**Alumni Lead
#### Jaereyn Millare Javier is a student, performer, and musician from Boston, Massachusetts.
More commonly known as Jae, Jaereyn is a freshman at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Aerospace Engineering, with a concentration in Astronautical Engineering. He hopes to pursue a career in spacecraft research and development. On campus, Jae is the Membership Chair of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, and the Freshman Representative of the Filipino Student Association. In April, he received awards for “Diversity Program of the Year” for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, and “Cultural Program of the Year” for the Filipino Student Association. Jae is also the founder of the FSA Dance Company, a performance committee of the Filipino Student Association, which showcases cultural dances from the Philippines. Beyond executive positions, Jae is a member of the High Powered Rocketry Club.
Jae’s Filipino heritage has been central to his identity since his youth. His family has been involved with Iskwelahang Pilipino School of Boston, the longest continuously-running Filipino cultural school in the United States even before he was born, and he was enrolled in classes from the age of 6. As a member of the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla Ensemble, in 2018, Jae toured Canada, performing traditional Filipino folk music and serving as cultural outreach and among the youngest ever members of the Rondalla to go on an international tour.
Jae was chosen as a member of the Filipino Youth Global Leadership Program Pioneer Cohort, where he would build an even deeper connection with his own Pinoy identity. The unforgettable experiences and strong bonds he’s made through the trip has inspired him to continue his involvement with the program, serving as a 2024 Alumni Lead for the upcoming cohort. By working with Philippine Living Heritage, he hopes that others are able to appreciate this unique and transformative experience in the same way that he has.
!!**Monique Apostol** Alumni Lead
#### Monique is a student and community advocate from Long Beach, California.
She is a first year at the University of California, San Diego studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience on the pre-medicine track. Her interests center on the formation and maintenance of memories, and hopes to work in the healthcare field to assist underserved populations in the U.S. and the Philippines. On top of her studies, she is an intern for Kaibigang Pilipino (UCSD’s Filipino club), a board member for the Health Summit Committee of the UCSD Pilipino Undergraduate Society for Health, and is a member of the Intramural Co-ed Basketball Team. She also works as a certified nurse assistant in the city of La Jolla.
Monique’s passion for connecting to her culture began at a young age. For 4 years, she was a part of the local Filipino cultural school and partook in language, dance, and history classes focused on Filipino heritage. After returning to in-person learning, she revitalized her high school’s Filipino club and helped foster a welcoming environment for Filipino students. While president, she taught traditional dances like Tinikling and Binasuan, promoted small Filipino businesses to the public, and organized service and social events with nearby high schools and community centers.
In Summer 2023, Monique was selected as a cohort member for the Philippine Living Heritage Initiative. In joining the program’s team as an Alumni Leader, she hopes to offer the next group of student leaders a life-changing journey similar to what she had experienced during her trip, and hopes to continue encouraging the youth to connect with their roots.