28 September 2015 - Young groups and individuals with a stake in the future of Filipino Canadian communities converged in the city of Toronto to examine trends among Filipino Canada youth and their most pressing concerns.
As project champion, Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia welcomed over 120 participants from Waterloo University and Ontario cities such as Barrie, London, Mississauga, Hamilton and the Durham Region to the Second Young Filipino Canadian Leaders Summit which took place at the YWCA Toronto on 26 September 2015.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Garcia recalled the meeting of minds between Embassy and Toronto-based convenors Ronnie and Claire dela Gana of iKubo Media to create a space for young Filipino Canadians to freely express their views on community issues. She also reviewed the take-aways from the first summit which shone a light on dual heritage in relation to leadership.
Building on the broad themes of the first forum, this year's summit directed the conversations towards three main areas for capacity building: a) Sports, Media, Entertainment, Arts and Culture; b) Entrepreneurship; and c) Civic and Community Leadership.
Dr. Philip Kelley, Director of York University's Center for Asian Research, keynoted the forum with his findings relative to Filipino Canadian Youth and the Anomaly of Missed Mobility. The research pointed to Filipino youth faring significantly worse than their Chinese and South Asian counterparts in terms of university or higher education. The study probed several underlying themes that might explain the anomaly such as household and family circumstances; networks, informants and mentors; and self-esteem, aspiration and role models.
The ensuing panel discussions arrayed leading Filipino Canadian lights as potential role models and mentors for the community's youth. Josie de Leon (performing arts), Marc Pagcaliwangan (boxing), Nicole Cajucom (culture), Shirley Camia (poetry), Marisa Largo (education), Michelle Charmaine Ramos (multi-media art), Carlos Balagasay (Strength N-U), Caesar Lee (Strength N-U), Christian Alvarez (Strength N-U), Shimon Cabrera (Pharmacia), Mel Galeon (FV Foods), Steve Pagao (Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Toronto), Mahal Hudson (The Avant Garde Company), Julius Tiangson (Conservative Party Member of Parliament candidate), Michele Serrano (Liberal party nominee), Garry Tanuan (Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee), Paulina Corpuz (social activist), Louroz Mercader (Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade consultant), and Jesson Reyes (Migrante Canada) recounted the challenges they met in their respective fields and touted the rewards of positive outcomes through sheer diligence, discipline, grit and persistence.
Lucia Harper, a professional communications strategist, Ysh Cabana, Veronica Javier and Joey Abrenilla facilitated the panel discussions while Rachelle Cruz emceed the entire program. Philippine Consul General Rosalita Prospero closed the program with remarks on the priorities of her office to shape a better future for the community with an eye on policy interventions that could be considered on the basis of Dr. Kelley's research.
The day-long event culminated in a spoken word performance by Patrick de Belen and live acoustic music played by the Krownless Kings.
"The intelligent interaction at today's forum augurs well for the future of our community. While Filipino Canadians have yet to reach a consensus on civic action that responds to the needs of our young, I concur with a participant's observation that we must celebrate and multiply our community's success stories. I have every confidence that the continuing dialogue initiated by the first two summits will mature into an institutionalized forum capitalizing on the encouraging aspects of our community strengths," Ambassador Garcia concluded.
The Young Filipino Canadian Leaders Summit is a volunteer-driven event that promotes community dialogue and networks fostering an empowered and visible Filipino Canadian community in various dimensions of Canadian life. END