The Filipino Young Leaders Program is excited to announce the selection of 32 Filipino American young leaders into its Tayo Fellows Summer 2025 cohort. Through the fellowship, Tayo Fellows will have the unique experience of contributing to the growing work of Tayo's online misinformation and public health projects.

“It is an honor and a privilege to support the Tayo Fellowship Program's sixth cohort. As a former fellow, I deeply appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with this diverse group of Filipino-American leaders—ranging from high school students to professionals. My mission is to cultivate a community where shared experiences and mutual support foster a sense of belonging and connection among these leaders." shares returning Fellowship Program Manager and 2022 Tayo Fellow Alumni Joed Garbo.

Tayo, a project of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), is an innovative data hub that empowers Filipinx/a/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable future.

This year’s cohort marks the Tayo Fellowship Program's sixth cohort to date. This cohort consists of fellows who are in high school, college, and working professionals. This year’s cohort includes new regions represented with fellows from all over the United States, Guam, and Philippines.

This program will allow our fellows to participate in various projects, research, events, and professional development opportunities. Some projects include editorial, nonprofit development, research, policy advocacy, public services, and technology. These projects will directly relate to focus areas our Tayo fellows are interested in, including civic engagement and policy, solidarity across communities, mental health, and public health and health disparities.

To support this year's cohort, the Tayo Fellowship Program Team consists of Tayo Co-Founders TJ Simba-Medel and Krystle Canare and former Tayo Fellows, Joed Garbo and Olivia Bragitikos, to support fellows in their day-to-day operations and professional development. Other Tayo Supervisors supporting fellow supervision include FYLPRO and Tayo team members: Leezel Tanglao, Dr. Melissa Palma, Mark Calaguas, Jobel Vecino, Jhoshua Ang Price, Frances Angela Rodriguez, Janeva Dimen, Jessica Deleon, Tony DelaRosa, and Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos.

“I’m excited to support this year's Tayo fellowship cohort using the knowledge and experience that I gained from last year as a fellow on the oral history team. Working with Leezel, Marc, and Rachel Kuo from the University of Illinois, gave me an understanding of how to conduct oral history. Serving as co-fellowship coordinator this summer and “data historian” will give me the opportunity to understand this cohort's cultural identity and history and hopefully provide a sense of belonging and connection to Filipino culture.” said Olivia Bragitikos.

This year’s fellowship program will wrap up in early September.

FYLPRO’s Summer 2025 Tayo Fellows include:

Alexa Sison (she/her), McLean, Virginia
Nonprofit Development Team

Alexa Sison is a third-year Commerce student at the University of Virginia, where she acts as the Treasurer of the Minority Rights Coalition, an umbrella organization responsible for supporting 20+ affinity groups across the UVA community. As an incoming Commerce student, she plans to mentor the Commerce Cohort, a recruitment program designed to uplift disadvantaged applicants and help them navigate the world of business.

Alexa's goal is to leverage her business education to uplift underserved communities. She currently works as a bookkeeping assistant at Vision First Asset Management, a minority owned, led, and operated company that manages affordable housing in the DMV area. Each spring, she assists low-income and limited-English speaking residents of the Albemarle and Fairfax communities in filing their taxes. She has previously worked as a senior consultant reducing operational costs for a Fortune 250 utilities company in Southern California, and is entering a rotational internship with KPMG during the summer of 2025.

Ally Gumalo (they/them), Berkeley, California
Public Health Research Team

Ally is an incoming sophomore at UC Berkeley majoring in Nutrition & Metabolic Biology. They became interested in nutrition because of its strong connection with physical and mental health. They aspire to become a doctor and help with nutritional advising, as well as helping marginalized demographics such as LGBTQ+ people and ethnic minorities.

Anna Alava (she/her), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nonprofit Development Team

Anna Alava is a Legal Assistant at an immigration law firm and a recent graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied Social Policy. Shaped by her Filipino and Korean family, Anna’s research has explored transnational immigrant communities, from migrant labor policy in Southeast Asia to cultural neuroscience in the U.S. Her passion for culturally-informed public policy has led her to work with the Illinois Asian American Caucus, the Illinois Governor's Office of Equity, and the U.S. House of Representatives, experiences which strengthened her commitment to expanding civic participation and building systems that equitably serve immigrant communities.

While serving as External President of Northwestern’s Filipino Student Association, collaborations with community-based organizations deepened Anna's appreciation for the role nonprofits play in community preservation and education. As a Tayo Nonprofit Development Fellow, she is eager to expand her understanding of nonprofit infrastructure and capacity-building to support efforts that uplift Filipino and immigrant communities.

Anna Marie Habaradas (she/her), Chicago, Illinois
Nonprofit Development Team

Anna Marie Habaradas is a storyteller, content creator and creative who is passionate about creating stories through writing and film.As a Pampangan Filipina Anna is a strong believer in her faith, is family orientated and a proud military wife.

Avy Angela Farinas Osalvo (she/her), Orange County, California
Mental Health Initiatives Team

Avy Osalvo is a second-generation Filipino American based in Orange County, California. Her experience as a Community Health Fellow in the Government Relations department at AltaMed Health Services in 2020-2021, followed by working as a Project Coordinator for AltaMed’s Development department, serves as one of the key influences for her pursuing a career in public health. She graduated with her Master’s in Public Health in the Health Policy and Law certificate program at Boston University School of Public Health last year.

Her interests include health systems research, health communications, and public health advocacy across a range of topics, including mental health, health-related social needs, maternal health, and reproductive justice. Having recently volunteered with the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), she is excited to collaborate with Tayo Fellows and the program team to work on mental health advocacy and health communications projects to support Filipino Americans.

Chloe Ladines (she/her), St. Charles, Illinois
Technology Team

Chloe Ladines is a rising senior at the University of Iowa, double majoring in Informatics (Human-Computer Interaction) and Art, with minors in Psychology and Communication Studies. Chloe is an aspiring User Experience Designer with a passion for making technology feel seamless, intuitive, and stress-free—especially in the fields of education and healthcare. Outside of academics, she loves all crafty things! Whether it’s crocheting, knitting, drawing, or (her latest hobby) making jewelry, Chloe is always creating something with my hands.

On campus, Chloe is the Social Media Manager for the Filipino Student Association, where she uses her creativity to design and schedule engaging content that highlights our club’s activities and achievements. She is also deeply involved in university life— she currently works two administrative jobs, one for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and another for the Department of Computer Science. She also serve as a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Ambassador, proudly representing our student community. She is always excited to be part of creative and collaborative project and can’t wait for Tayo’s future endeavors!

Danica Marielle Ola (she/they/siya), San Francisco Bay Area, California
Evaluation Team

Danica Marielle Ola is a second generation Filipino-American born and raised on the island of Kaua'i but currently resides in the Bay Area. Danica has a Bachelors in Biopsychology from Mills College and her Master of Social Work with a Global Practice concentration from Boston College. She currently serves as the current Associate Director of Community Engagement for the Center for Student Involvement - Oakland at Northeastern University.

As the Associate Director, Danica supports large scale programs/events on-campus and serves as the advisor for Student Government. She is committed to showing up as her most authentic Filipino self every day to encourage her students to showcase their cultural background. Danica is passionate about building and engaging youth to identify their strengths to uplift their communities. She is interested in developing engaging and innovative leadership development curriculum for student leaders to create sustainable social change. Danica loves being Filipino and is excited to continue to uplift and amplify the Filipino community.

Francine (Fran) Singson (she/her), Richmond, Virginia
Public Health Research Team

Francine (Fran) Singson (she/her) is a resident in counseling practicing in Richmond, Virginia. As a second-generation Filipino American and a Virginia Beach native, Fran is dedicated to understanding the intricate and complex ways in which culture impacts our mental health, wellbeing, and ways we interact with the world around us.

Fran graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Biology with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. After serving with AmeriCorps VISTA in Southern California connecting first generation students with resources to better navigate careers in the STEM fields, she returned to her alma mater, where she graduated with her Masters of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. During this time, she engaged in research on a new disability-informed identity model for people in between cultures, presenting at conferences in the fields of rehabilitation and mental health counseling.

As a therapist working towards full licensure, Fran specializes in providing counseling for racial identity and cultural issues (specifically with first and second generation Asian Americans/immigrants), navigating significant life transitions, and grief and bereavement from a cultural perspective. She completed her internship in community mental health, and currently works in private practice serving clients in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Francis-Anthony Reyes Ramirez (he/him), Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Mental Health Initiatives Team

Francis is a Social Work student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with a focused interest in clinical practice, mental health, and healthcare access. He plans to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) after graduation, concentrating on clinical social work to serve children and adolescents in underserved communities. With a deep commitment to equity, Francis is passionate about transforming the field of social work to better reflect the needs of culturally diverse populations. He believes in creating inclusive approaches that honor cultural identity while providing effective, community-based care.

Outside of his academic work, Francis is involved in the Philippine Student Association (PSA) and has previously performed with Barkada, PSA’s cultural dance group. Through performances at events such as the Filipinx-Americans Coming Together (FACT) Conference, Battle of the Bamboo, and Filipinx Culture Night, he celebrates and uplifts Filipinx heritage and storytelling. These experiences have deeply shaped his understanding of cultural connection, expression, and advocacy. In his free time, Francis enjoys exploring new coffee shops, playing volleyball, and finding small ways to bring people together through food, conversation, and shared experience.

Genna Viloria (she/her), Schaumburg, Illinois
Public Health Research Team

Genna is a first-generation Filipino American student. She is a rising junior studying community health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is on the pre-occupational therapy track, and is currently interested in the intersection between social climates and individual physical and mental health. She is so excited to gain community outreach and research experience with Tayo! Outside of academics, Genna enjoys playing video games, crocheting, and crafting with friends.

Hannah Cabarles (she/her), San Francisco Bay Area, California
Public Health Research Team

Hannah Cabarles is a first-generation Filipina American and rising junior at Brown University pursuing a double concentration in Public Health and Biology on the pre-medical track. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in hospice and skilled nursing facilities, deepening her passion for patient- and community-centered care. She is also committed to advancing immigrant and health equity and is an incoming intern at Amos House Clinic in Providence, Rhode Island, which serves marginalized, low-income, and formerly incarcerated populations. Her interests in community-rooted healthcare and culturally competent medicine are shaped by both her clinical experiences and personal background.

At Brown, Hannah is a member of the three-time national champion Women’s Rugby team. She also advocates for student-athlete mental health throughout Brown University Athletics through Bruno Cares, a peer-led initiative where she develops programming to support underrepresented student-athletes. As an active member of the Filipino Alliance, she collaborates with fellow students across the Ivy League to uplift Filipinx representation in academia. Hannah hopes to pursue a career that bridges clinical care, public health, and advocacy to better serve historically marginalized communities.

Harvest Aquino (he/him), Manhattan, New York
Policy Advocacy & Public Service Team

Harvest Aquino is a rising senior at the University of Rochester studying Clinical and Translational Sciences, Health Policy, and Chinese. With extensive experience in supporting research, community health, and global health initiatives, he is committed to advancing health equity. Harvest is looking forward to supporting AANHPI health policy advocacy this summer with Tayo.

Jasmine Celine Raymundo Osumo (she/her), Los Angeles, California
Editorial Desk Team

Jasmine Osumo, MPH, PTA, CBIS is a proud Southern California native and the daughter of Filipino immigrants. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of Southern California, followed by a Master of Public Health degree. Additionally, she became a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant through Concorde Career College.

Jasmine’s dedication to advancing health equity began during her time at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she worked as a Pediatric Physical Therapist Assistant in the inpatient rehabilitation unit. At CHLA, she also obtained her brain injury specialist certification (CBIS). There, she cared for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and witnessed firsthand the impact of health disparities—particularly among patients with physical and cognitive disabilities. These experiences deepened her commitment to addressing inequities in healthcare, ultimately motivating her to pursue graduate studies in public health. Jasmine completed her MPH in 2024 and was inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Public Health Society, a distinction awarded to students in the top 20% of their class who meet rigorous academic standards.

Following graduation, Jasmine engaged in multiple research initiatives focused on reducing health disparities among communities of color. She contributed to an NIH-funded R21 study on pediatric obesity, exploring the influence of dog ownership on health behaviors, as well as a project funded by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles examining how smart inhaler technology can improve inhaler use among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, Jasmine serves as the research coordinator for an NIH-funded R01 study, called the Filipino Family Health Initiative at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. This project evaluates the effectiveness of The Incredible Years, a globally recognized, evidence-based parenting program, in supporting the mental health of Filipino children aged 8 to 12.

Jjessmar Bolivar Fama (he/him), Iloilo City, Philippines
Policy Advocacy & Public Service Team

Jjessmar Fama is a medical student, registered nurse, and public health advocate based in Iloilo City, Philippines. He is the former founding president of Green Legacy, a youth-led initiative that launched over 30 projects on climate resilience, environmental health, and human rights-based health promotion. He also served as the 2024–2025 National Officer on Human Rights and Peace of the Asian Medical Students’ Association – Philippines, where he led national campaigns on gender equity, access to healthcare in geographically isolated areas, climate resilience, and the rights of marginalized communities.

Jjessmar previously held editorial roles in Vital Signs, the official publication of the West Visayas State University College of Medicine, where he served as Senior Opinion Writer and Associate Editor. His writing spans topics such as reproductive justice, health disparities, and the future of youth leadership in public health. With a background in community organizing, research, and global health diplomacy, Jjessmar is passionate about bridging grassroots advocacy in the Philippines with the Filipino American experience, and hopes to use the Tayo Fellowship to further amplify culturally tailored, equity-driven health narratives.

John David Randolph Torres Maher (he/him), Seattle, Washington
Technology Team

John David Randolph Torres Maher is a technology technician for the Department of Defense, where he gains hands-on experience in computing operations. He is a proud graduate of the University of Washington, Class of 2024, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Systems. Throughout his undergraduate years, he was deeply involved in numerous STEM-focused groups in school and non-profit organizations, using his technical skills to support initiatives focused on equity, access, and community empowerment. He is passionate about leveraging computer science to drive inclusive innovations, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, assistive technology, and human-centered web design.

John was born in the Philippines, but was raised throughout military bases of the United States. Despite growing up in the American military child lifestyle, he maintained strong cultural and familial ties to the Philippines; throughout his childhood, He visited the Philippines with his family nearly every year throughout, and he grew up in a household that spoke three languages: English, Tagalog, and Visayas. His lived experience as a Filipino-American informs his values of community care, cultural pride, and social impact. He hopes to advance his career by continuing to build toward a future where technology is more inclusive, accessible, and empowering for all.

Jon Andre Sabio (he/him), Las Vegas, Nevada
Public Health Research Team

Jon Andre Sabio Parrilla is a third-year medical student at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Born and raised in Las Vegas, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Asian American Studies from UCLA and a Master of Public Health from Yale University. Jon Andre is passionate about bridging medicine, public health, and digital storytelling to advance health equity, particularly within the Filipino and LGBTQ+ communities.

He is also a microinfluencer and content creator (@jonandresabio), using his platform to amplify underrepresented voices, explore identity, and share his journey through medical school. With a strong interest in dermatology and clinical research, Jon Andre is committed to culturally responsive care, mentorship, and community-driven advocacy.

Joshua James Manlutac (he/him), Los Angeles, California
Public Health Research Team

Joshua Manlutac is an epidemiologist at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, where he leads vaccine-preventable disease investigations and supports immunization strategy, outbreak response, and health systems optimization. He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Applied Epidemiology and a Master of Science (MS) in Global Medicine. Joshua’s passion for public health began with a fascination for how data, clinical care, and systems intersect–especially in communities often overlooked by traditional healthcare models. His public health journey is rooted in cross-cultural experience, having lived in both the U.S. and the Philippines, where he first witnessed the structural barriers that limit access to healthcare. He now uses that early insight as a guiding force in everything he does, building programs, relationships, and strategies that center the needs of underserved populations. His early work focused on youth mental health and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). As a Research Data Analyst at UCLA Health, Joshua supported the Trauma and Resilience Informed Early Enrichment Program, collaborating with project staff and faculty experts from UCLA’s Prevention Center of Excellence and the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. He helped evaluate trauma-informed interventions across early childhood centers and high schools and also led national data management for the UCLA-UCSF ACEs Aware Family Resilience Network. This work impacted over 35,000 users, including 17,000 Medi-Cal providers, and directly informed care strategies for children and families across California.

Joshua’s impact extends from local to global levels. At Frontida Records, he helped implement affordable, low-code, and sustainable electronic health record systems for nonprofit partners serving remote populations in Panama, Jordan, and Afghanistan. He also led COVID-19 response clinics throughout Los Angeles County and currently coordinates medical supply delivery and refugee care with Refugee Health Alliance at centers near the U.S.-Mexico border. His expertise lies in data-informed leadership, systems transformation, and operational design–always with a focus on translating policy into real, equitable care on the ground. Outside of public health, Joshua is deeply invested in creating second-chance spaces for student-athletes. He currently serves as Co-Commissioner of the Southern California Collegiate Volleyball League, a regional league recognized by the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation. Through his leadership, he helps create pathways for student-athletes to continue their athletic journeys beyond traditional collegiate sports programs. Furthermore, he also brings this same values-driven leadership into the classroom, having taught undergraduate biostatistics and supported aspiring public health professionals in understanding how public health plays a critical role in interprofessional decision-making and systems-level change.

As a Tayo Fellow, Joshua sees this opportunity as a return to culture through a new lens–bringing his experience as a public health professional into a space that once shaped him. While his work has taken him across borders and into diverse communities, he recognizes that his direct engagement with Filipino and Asian American populations is where he has the most room to grow. He has long stayed connected to his roots through cultural dance and community involvement, but FYLPRO represents a deeper, more intentional way to give back. He hopes to serve as a bridge–connecting people, policies, and pathways that advance health equity and reimagine what it means to lead with purpose.

Kathryna Dizon Corpuz (she/her),Hillside, New Jersey
Public Health Research Team

Kathryna Dizon Corpuz is a dedicated public health professional with 10 years of experience. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, aspiring to improve the health of ethnically diverse communities through the design and implementation of culturally relevant health communications. She has earned her Master of Public Health degree from Boston University School of Public Health with a dual concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health and her Bachelor of Arts from Drew University with a major in Neuroscience and minor in Public Health. Most recently, she earned her graduate certificate in Visual and Digital Health Communications from Boston University Metropolitan College.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Kathryna's Filipino roots tie back to Camarines Sur and Tarlac. This connection to her Filipino heritage instilled a deep appreciation for the role that culture plays in our health behaviors. This became the driving force in her public health career. She worked for 5 years at The Palladium Group in Washington, DC for the USAID Health Policy Plus Project, where she provided technical guidance to low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries such as Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Mozambique, among others, in the development, implementation, and monitoring of their national strategies for family planning. Following this, she completed a 2-year population health fellowship and served as the inaugural fellow in that program at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She contributed to various projects in her population health fellowship with topics ranging from improving HPV vaccination rates among college students, researching social media-based health communication among Latino communities, and developing a social determinants of health awareness campaign for a local hospital. Currently, she serves as a Research Assistant with the Communications Team at the Johns Hopkins Center for Livable Future. She is excited to continue her professional growth through the Tayo Fellowship and bridge her heritage with her public health practice to advance the health and wellbeing of Filipino communities.

Krista Caasi (she/her), Boston, Massachusetts
Public Health Research Team

Krista Caasi (she/her/hers) is a Filipina American who is passionate about health equity research, mental health advocacy, and program evaluation. Born and raised in New Jersey, she graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, where she earned her Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Psychology. As an undergraduate student, she served as Community Chair for District One of Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue, Inc (FIND, Inc.); Co-Chair of the Asian American Center’s flagship peer mentorship program, Asian American Students in Action; and EMPOWER Fellow at the Social Justice Resource Center. She continued working with the Asian American Center as a Graduate Assistant and served as the Internal Relations Chair of the MPH Student Advisory Council. Her leadership has been recognized with the Helen Zia Award from the Asian American Center; the Root of Abundance Award at the 2024 Northeastern University Student Life Awards; and induction into the 2025 class of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health.

Her research experience includes her work at the Northeastern University Public Evaluation Lab (NU-PEL) to conduct culturally-responsive evaluation in partnership with the Boston chapter of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE). Her projects studied the social and mental health impact of various community-based programs, such as technology training and arts classes. She hopes to pursue similar community-engaged research on mental health disparities among historically marginalized groups. In her free time, she loves singing and playing guitar. Krista is so excited to be a Tayo Fellow this summer and to continue creating spaces for belonging and collective action among Filipino and Asian American.

Luis-Jaime Caseñas III (he/him), Pelham, New York
Mental Health Initiatives Team

Hello everyone! My name is Luis-Jaime Caseñas, and I'm a rising senior at Stony Brook University majoring in Psychology B.S. and on the pre-medical track. In the future, I hope to pursue an MD/PhD with special interest in psychiatry and neuroscience.

Currently, I conduct research unraveling interactions between the nervous system and cancer en route to novel treatment at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and am the editor-in-chief of Stony Brook's science journal, the Young Investigators Review. Having been involved with the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program, peer mental health education, and through multiple leadership roles on-campus, I am a dedicated educator, mentor, and passionate advocate for mental health.

Maria Kathleen Villanueva (she/her), Richmond, Virginia
Policy Advocacy & Public Service Team

Kathleen is a cross-cultural storyteller with roots in Bataan, Philippines, and Virginia, USA. Currently a Digital Project Specialist at the Center for Digital Editing, she weaves social media strategy, research, and design—all fueled by her interest in academia, creativity, and technology.

Her journey began in the Philippines, where she honed her storytelling through fiction writing and explored histories through literature and travel. This passion led her to pursue Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia, graduating with distinction and as a Phi Beta Kappa inductee in 2024. During her studies, she dedicated herself to public service, contributing to nonprofits from Virginia to the Global South. Her work ranged from assessing sustainability in disaster-prone communities with Resilient Virginia to helping secure over $1 million for research operations in 20+ countries with Innovations for Poverty Action, including in her homeland, the Philippines.

Community remains the core of her purpose, and Kathleen is dedicated to empowering Filipinos worldwide. Off the clock, she enjoys watching The Amazing Race, exploring Substack posts, and collecting mementos for her journal (grocery receipts, dried flowers, fruit stickers, you name it).

Marian Herboso (she/her), Charlottesville, Virginia
Public Health Research Team

Growing up immersed in Virginia Beach's vibrant Filipino American community, Marian Herboso has consistently pursued opportunities to explore and advocate for bicultural identity and mental health, especially among Asian Pacific Islander South Asian American (APISAA) youth. At the University of Virginia (UVA), Marian served as Community Chair for the Organization of Young Filipino Americans (OYFA), where she organized cultural workshops and community events centered on Filipino identity, including fundraisers for Philippine disaster relief. She also led the Peer Advising Family Network (PAFN), fostering mentorship, professional development, and community-building among 500+ undergraduate students who were a part of the APISAA community at UVA. Beyond UVA, she extended her impact as Outreach Coordinator for Kapwa, an organization underneath the Filipino American Association of Central Virginia, where she developed and facilitated educational programs on Filipino history, culture, and language for broader community engagement. Recognized for her dedication, she received both the Asian and Asian Pacific American Alumni Network Scholarship and the OYFA Excellence Scholarship at UVA, honoring her leadership and commitment to community service.

Having recently graduated with a B.S.Ed. in Youth & Social Innovation (Youth Mental Health Concentration) and Psychology, Marian aims to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology after gaining further research experience. Her undergraduate research focused on adolescent emotional development, utilizing structured focus groups to explore how youth identify, label, and differentiate emotions. Marian’s ultimate goal is to integrate rigorous academic inquiry with culturally informed mental health interventions, specifically designed to uplift and empower APISAA communities through meaningful, research-driven advocacy and support.

Mia Isabelle Kasilag (she/they), Berkeley, California
Nonprofit Development Team

Mia Kasilag (she/they) was born in the Inland Empire and is a current undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a rising senior pursuing a major in Public Health and double minors in City & Regional Planning and Public Policy. Her academic interests include health accessibility, education, management, and planning people-centered cities through building community power. In the future, she aspires to earn an MPH, MHA, or MCP. Additionally, Mia is the incoming Operations Director for Pilipinx Academic Student Services (PASS), and previously served as the Marketing Coordinator. PASS was founded in 1985 and is dedicated to the recruitment and retention of Pilipinx-identifying students into higher education.

Beyond academics, Mia has a strong interest in the arts. Her creative hobbies include graphic design, scrapbooking, and photography. She also held a position as one of the Operations Leads for Berkeley B-Side and planned multiple live music events, including the now annual B-Side Boiler Room that features current student DJ's.

Michael Christopher De Vera Orilla (he/him), Burke, Virginia
Youth Summit Team

Michael Orilla is an IB Diploma Candidate at his high school in Fairfax, Virginia. He is a son of two Filipino immigrants and a younger brother. In school, he is the Co-President for his school's Filipino Student Association, uniting others in the effort to raise awareness for Filipino culture.

Out of school, you can find him cooking in his kitchen or walking his dog. Michael is passionate about improving health disparities of everyone, especially Filipinos. In the future, Michael plans to pursue a four-year institution to study Biology, and later on attend medical school.

Moninisha Yadav (she/her), Boston, Massachusetts
Youth Summit Team

Moninisha (Mona) Yadav is a rising senior at Phillips Exeter Academy from Boston, Massachusetts. She is active in Exeter Pinoy Society, Asian Voices, PEA radio station, and dance clubs on campus. Mona is passionate about decolonial community- centered public health engagement with a focus on serving historically marginalized groups. As a first-generation student, she is particularly interested in Asian American advocacy and intersectionality and looks forward to further studying public health. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, hiking, and studying the classics.

Nikki Capinpin (she/they), Boston, Massachusetts
Public Health Research Team

Nikki Capinpin is a rising senior at Boston University (BU) studying advertising and public health, originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. Nikki’s ultimate career goal is to become an epidemiologist. After graduating from undergrad Nikki plans on attending graduate school to earn a masters in public health with a specialization in epidemiology.

Nikki is passionate about mental health and health equity. During the academic year Nikki serve as a Student Health Ambassador to promote health/wellness resources to the BU community and just started working as an optometric technician and really enjoys the opportunity to interact with patients one-on-one. In Nikki’s free time I like to sing and watch movies and Nikki’s favorite movie of all time is “Sorry to Bother You” with LaKeith Stanfield.

Olivia Mackenzie Natividad (she/her), Secaucus, New Jersey
Youth Summit Team

Olivia Natividad is a rising senior at Secaucus High School. She serves as vice president of her class, editor of the yearbook, captain of the consumer bowl team, and social media manager of Secaucus’s Key Club. Additionally, Olivia is on the varsity volleyball team, and is involved in the school’s choir and drama club, where she has been a principal character for the last 3 years. Outside of school, Olivia is involved with nonprofits Democrashe and Project Iris. At Democrashe, Olivia is a Team Alumni member who helps plan and create social media content. Within Project Iris, Olivia helps plan local events to raise money or gather supplies for the Hoboken Homeless Shelter. Lastly, Olivia is a 2024 NJ HOBY alum and now works as a team alumni at NJ HOBY, where she helps make the leadership seminar run smoothly.

Raphael Brosula (he/him), Boston, Massachusetts
Technology Team

Raphael Brosula is a first-generation Filipino immigrant. Born in Manila, his family moved to Tampa, Florida where his mom now works as a physical therapist. He graduated with a degree in computer science and minors in global health and human rights at Stanford University. Raphael is heavily inspired by his heritage to serve the needs and improve the health and well-being of underserved communities through multiple avenues, like research, community engagement, and mentorship.

At Stanford, he developed his passion for community building and public health by becoming involved with organizations like Stanford Pilipinx American Student Union (PASU) and the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine (CYFAM). Currently, he works as a Computational Associate II at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he conducts research and develops tools to support global and national malaria elimination initiatives. Beyond research, he is committed to making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) inclusive and accessible to the next generation of students, and is involved with science mentorship and career outreach programs throughout Cambridge.

Sarah Anna Antillon Amplo (she/they), Madison, Wisconsin
USAP Tayo: FilAm, Politics, and Well-Being Team

Sarah Anna Antillon Amplo (she/they) is a first-generation Filipina American from New York City. She is currently a PhD Student in Gender & Women's Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sarah received a Master of Arts in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in 2024 and a Bachelor of Arts in 2023 from the University at Albany, SUNY. Her master’s thesis titled ‘Into the New World: Queer Asians, K-pop, and Representation’ explored the ways in which K-pop content becomes a source of representation beyond stereotypical and heteronormative media portrayals of Asians that exist within the Western world.

During her undergraduate and graduate careers, through roles in advocacy and education, Sarah developed a passion for social justice issues, specifically those that impact queer people and people of color. Sarah furthered her experience, seeking to maximize her leadership opportunities, as well as her personal and professional growth, while also navigating the complexities of being the first person in their family to attend college. Beyond her academic work, Sarah also worked for the NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she learned about New York State's policies on (developmental) disabilities and worked with council members, staff, and professionals in the developmental disability field to develop in-depth research papers. Currently, she serves as a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Lead for Dear Asian Youth, an international non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and unifying Asian youth through intersectional activism.

As a queer Filipina, her academic and professional work is deeply personal as she explores the constructions of race, gender, and sexuality in the Filipinx American diaspora. Her intention is to develop herself as a scholar-activist within a lineage of strong Filipinx American scholarly voices.

Serena Althea Blaire D. Mackay (they/them), Manchester, New Hampshire
Youth Summit Team

Born in 2010, Serena is a rising junior at Founders Academy and a proud first-generation immigrant raised in the Philippines by an Ilocano family. Grounded in their heritage and driven by justice, they are passionate about mobilizing Filipino youth across the homeland and diaspora to confront global issues impacting their communities.

Serena is the Founder and Executive Director of LUHOG, a nonprofit that equips Filipino youth with accessible tools to promote political literacy in underserved spaces and engage in sociopolitical matters—transforming awareness into action beyond social media. As a 2025 Act to Change Youth Ambassador Alum, they work with local and national organizations to lead grassroots initiatives in building equitable spaces and resources for all. Through this work, they contributed to Tayo by researching a grant database alongside three fellow alumni.

On campus, Serena serves as Student Body Vice President and is an active public speaker, campus journalist, and graphic designer. They also enjoy skating, watching movies, cooking, and was the drummer for their band at Manila Science High School.

Shanna Punzalan (she/her), Bay Area, California
Technology Team

Born and raised in Zambales, Philippines, Shanna Punzalan is an upcoming 4th year undergraduate student at the University of California, Davis. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Asian-American Studies, with a minor in Human Development and Public Health (hoping that she graduates on time). Her current and past involvements focused on serving the needs of the Filipino community such as Bayanihan Clinic, Mabuhay Health Center, Bulosan Center (now Amado Khaya Initiative), and the Filipinx Association for Health Careers (FAHC) at UC Davis. Additionally, she is a research assistant at UCI's Kim Stress, Coping, and Health in Context Lab, where she has contributed to studies on coping strategies among metastatic Asian American cancer patients by conducting literature reviews and translating study materials into Tagalog. With these involvements, she remains committed to advancing health equity, culturally responsive care, and community-centered advocacy.

Beyond her academic and leadership roles, Shanna is an editorial/event photographer whose work has been published in her university's editorial magazine and social media. Her photography reflects the vibrancy of student life, capturing multi-disciplinary events from portraits to campus events to candid moments. Her portfolio also includes high-profile performances, having photographed artists such as Don Toliver, Thủy, and Knock2. Through photography, Shanna aims to tell stories with authenticity and emotion, using visual media as a powerful tool for connection and representation.

Through her work in research, education, and public service, she seeks to uplift underrepresented voices and bridge gaps in care for medically underserved populations.

Sophia Espaldon (she/her), Guam, USA
Editorial Desk Team

Sophia is halfway through her undergraduate experience at Wellesley College studying Neuroscience. Born in Hawaii and raised on Guam, she grew up with a Pacific Islander mindset and considers everyone around her family. Her aspirations for medicine stems from her grandparents and concern for healthcare disparities back home. She hopes to attend medical school and eventually initiate medical missions to underserved medical communities throughout the Pacific, including her homeland of the Philippines.

In college, Sophia has been active in Wellesley Kapatid Filipino Club as well as the D1 FIND Organization in the Greater Boston Area. She also sings with her acapella club and plays two instruments. However, she would consider her true passions: sports (basketball, volleyball, and pickleball) and musical theater.

About Tayo

For more information, visit tayohelp.com.

About Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO)

FILIPINO YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM (FYLPRO) is a network of high performing, next-generation leaders who advance the Philippines and the Filipino people through their advocacy and expertise in various industries.

We continually expand the pipeline of Filipino young leaders in the diaspora. By connecting them to the motherland, we foster collaborative multinational relationships that create innovations and support the socio-economic progress of the global Filipino community.

For more information, visit fylpro.org.

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