Fil-Am young professionals launch scholarship

San francisco—The Young Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA) will kick off its first scholarship program for promising young Filipino students who aspire for college degrees, on the evening of Jan. 18 at the historic I-Hotel Manilatown Center.

The organization is celebrating 11 years of “fostering professional connections, ideas and expertise to support and engage Filipino professionals in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.” The theme for this year’s celebration is “Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

The keynote speaker for the celebration will be Filipino entrepreneur and engineer Dado Banatao, who has been dubbed the “Filipino version of Steve Jobs” because of his trailblazing science and technology work in the early years of Silicon Valley.

The versatile Allan Manalo will be the emcee. He wears many hats in the field of entertainment as a Filipino writer, producer, director and stand-up comic.

There will be performances by Kulintronica, which blends the traditional, ancestral sounds of the Filipino instrument kulintang with the urban beats of Electronica. Ro Birco, a multi-instrumentalist who will be accompanying on the piano, will also showcase his traditional kundiman singing skills.

Also performing is the group, immaj, a talented R&B/pop vocal trio. Kristian Kabuay, artist, educator and entrepreneur, will also have Baybayin (Philippine Script) live art demonstrations.

Regina Finuliar, YFPA President, states, “The night will be special because attendees will not only be supporting YFPA and our initiatives, everyone there that night will be raising funds to help those students who want to reach their college dream. To provide a path for these students has been the YFPA board’s long time goal.”

Dinner will be donated by various businesses and individuals, so attendees will be able to sample some delicious Filipino cuisine and beverages that night.  Tickets can be purchased at http://YFPAGALA.EVENTBRITE.COM/.

For information on The Young Filipino Professionals Association and to learn more about their mission and causes, go to www.yfpa.org or www.facebook.com/YFPASF . For additional details contact Ryan Magadia –(209) 423-0325.