#IkawNa: Empowerment in Action

By Claire Dela Gana
Publisher, Kubo Magazine - Toronto, Ontario
September 11, 2015






The Summit hopes to provide a space and opportunity for youth of Filipino descent to explore and create a fuller sense of their identity towards the ultimate outcome of inspiring a generation of youth who will be a visible and a productive force in Canadian society.

Just like last year, the 2015 Summit will be another inspiring and memorable event. Dr. Philip Kelly, Director of York Centre for Asian Research, will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Kelly is the author of “Understanding Intergenerational Social Mobility: Filipino Youth in Canada’, a study published by the Institute for Research on Public Policy. There will be breakout sessions focusing on the following areas – sports, media, entertainment, arts & culture, entrepreneurship, and, social & civic leadership. Each session will be led by a group of panelists composed of Filipino Canadians from various sectors – Christian Alvarez, Carlo Balagasay, Shimon Cabrera, Nicole Cajucom, Shirley Camia, Paulina Corpuz, Josie De Leon, Mel Galeon, Marissa Largo, Ceazar Lee, Louroz Mercader, Steve Pagao, Marc Pagcaliwangan, Michelle Chermaine Ramos, Jesson Reyes, Michelle Serrano, Gary Tanuan and Julius Tiangson. Lucia Harper will deliver a brief talk on cultural competency in the afternoon and Patrick De Leon, an award-winning spoken word artist, will conclude the Summit. Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia and Consul General Rosalita Prospero will be in attendance to welcome the participants. Rachelle Cruz will be hosting this year.

The Summit was conceived back in 2012 by Ronnie Dela Gana, owner of iKubo Media, and Minister & Consul Flerida Anne Camille Mayo, officer in charge of cultural diplomacy. In 2013, a group of active young members of the Filipino Canadian community were gathered as the first core group of the first summit that took place on March 8, 2014.

This year’s summit is sponsored by PNB Global Remit, Bodybliss, TFC Canada, Scarborough Nissan, GMA Pinoy TV and Fairview Dental. It is also supported by community partners Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture, Kubo Magazine, eAwards, Philippine Press Club – Ontario (PPCO), Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto (PCCT), PCCC Youth Alliance, Filipino Canadian Political Action Council (FCPAC), Filipino Canadian Heritage Resources in Durham (FCHRD), TPF Canada, YWCA Toronto, PMNTV, Image is Everything and Pinoy Radio.

Register now through Eventbrite https://2015youngfilcanleaderssummit.eventbrite.ca.

On-site registration is also welcome on a first come first serve basis. For more information about the event, follow us on Twitter @YFilCanLeaders and on Facebook. Or call Ronnie at (647) 300-1970.