Invitation to my cultural workshop for 2012 UniPro Summit, multinational open forum, June 2

NEW YORK CITY:  I have been invited to conduct an interactive, 45-minute workshop on "Pilipino Renaissance" on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the 2012 UniPro Summit for Pilipino Young Professionals, Students, and Youth.

My multimedia presentation is entitled "Re-Inventing Pilipino Arts." It addresses the possible solutions that arts and culture can offer toward the development of a true resurgence of Pilipino Arts locally, nationally and globally.  Will a Renaissance be led by our ability to invent new artistic expressions? to research and collaborate on new works with distant partners? to contend with the great challenge of displaying Pilipinos anew, especially to one another?  Will the Renaissance deepen mutual understanding among people around the globe?  Will it make way for abundance, for real opportunities, for long-term sustainability -- for creative coexistence?

The Summit will take place at the Arnold & Marie Schwartz Lecture Hall of New York University Medical Center (550 First Avenue, near 30th Street) in NYC.

To register to attend to the 2012 UniProSummit, visit the event page at http://uniprosummit.eventbrite.com/

UniPro stands for Pilipino American Unity for Progress, which is hosting its second annual Multinational Forum for Pilipino Young Professionals, Students, and Youth. This year’s Summit will focus on the theme of the "Pilipino Renaissance."

According to Iris Zalun, Speaker Chair for the upcoming UniPro Summit for Pilipino Young Professionals, Students, and Youth, the NGO defines 'Pilipino Renaissance' in three parts:

1. The awakening of the individual Pilipino’s earnest passions and aspirations.
2. The creation of a community that nurtures the individual Pilipino’s passions and aspirations.
3. The flourishing of the global Pilipino community, marked by the significant representation and success of Pilipinos, determined by the realization of our own potential. 

"We will feature amazing leaders from the community whose work promotes the culture, welfare, and progress of Pilipinos, particularly in the modern, digital age," Zalun adds. "You are invited to meet other young, passionate Pilipinos to meet, exchange ideas, and organize a global network to promote the idea of such a renaissance."

The 2012 UniPro Summit on June 2 will also serve as a meetup for Filipino Mundo, a group of young professionals and visual/performing artists socializing in changing Manhattan venues, sharing and understanding the Filipino identity in an increasingly global environment.

This is not the first time I have presented this workshop.  In December 2010, I offered this presentation at a two-day conference in the Philippines entitled "Vision 2020," organized by the Commission of Filipino Overseas, a Philippine government agency. In that setting, before an audience that comprised of the country's top leaders, stakeholders and overseas Filipinos, I made sure to address how arts and culture can keeping second- and third-generation Filipinos rooted in Philippine culture.

The current Aquino administration has been aiming to undertake public-private partnerships to modernize the infrastructure of the Philippines. Can Filipinos overseas and in the diaspora inspire or respond to the future development of their homeland? In that Philippine setting, I asked: What, if any, is the role of arts and culture in migration and development? How can Filipino artists and arts groups abroad (individuals, networks and organizations overseas) actively participate in the development of Philippine arts and culture, given the fact that whether we like it or not, Filipinos are a global, mobile and diverse people?

The Pilipino American Unity for Progress (“UniPro”) is a New York State certified not-for-profit comprised of young professionals and students that was established in the summer of 2009 to promote cohesion and collective progress within the Pilipino American community. Since then, UniPro has collaborated with many organizations, schools and entrepreneurs to help empower our kababayans and provide a support system for our networks in the community.

The goal for UniPro is to outreach to the Multinational Pilipino Community and create a safe space and open forum for regional issues and facilitate cultural workshops. Here is the UniPro website: http://unipronow.org/

Register NOW:
To register to attend to the 2012 UniProSummit, visit the event page at http://uniprosummit.eventbrite.com/


Things to Note:
1) On-Site Registration & Sign-in on June 2 will be at
NYU Translational Research Building - 227 East 30th St starting 7:30am
They will be accepting All Major credit cards for registration (extra fees will apply).

2) Opening Ceremony on June 2 will be at Arnold & Marie Schwartz Lecture Hall - 401 East 30th St promptly beginning at 9:00am

3) Contact Summit Co-Chairs Rachelle Ocampo at rachelle.ocampo@unipronow.org or Judy Yem at judy.yem@unipronow.org for volunteer opportunities, internship positions and more information about UniPro and our Summit!

4) This event page will constantly be updated with Keynote speaker information, Itinerary Updates, Workshop descriptions, and more so always check back for new details!

5) Online Ticket sales end at 12:00pm on Friday, June 1. Extra Service fees will apply if you register the day of the Summit on June 2.

2012 UniPro Summit - Sat, June 2 2012 

at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYC

Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM (ET)
401 East 30th Street

New York, NY

UniPro Summit Itinerary - June 2 2012

7:30 – 9:00 AM: Registration & Sign In- 1st Floor Seminar Room at the NYU Translational Research Building 227 East 30th Street
- Delegates & Speakers collect their UniPro Summit Folder and Name Tags
- Free light breakfast served until 8:30AM then begin escorting Delegates the Schwartz Building

9:00 – 9:30 AM: Opening Ceremony
Schwartz Auditorium at the NYU School of Medicine 401 East 30th Street

1. Introduction: Randy Gonzales, Master of Ceremonies
2. US/PI Anthem: Welcome Address
   Dr. Suzette Briones, Chairperson of UniPro and Bryan Lozano, Executive Director of UniPro
3. Opening Keynote: Tony Meloto, Gawad Kalinga

9:35 – 9:55 AM: Networking Session - Schwartz Auditorium
Rachelle Ocampo, Associate Director of UniPro

10:00– 11:00 AM: Main Panel – How to Push the “Pilipino Renaissance” - Schwartz Auditorium
Esperanza Garcia, Ecohope
Fr. Benigno P. Beltran SVD, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig
Illac Diaz, My Shelter Foundation
Loida Nicholas-Lewis, US Pinoys for Good Governance
Ninotchka Rosca, AF3IRM
Tony Olaes, Gawak Kalinga USA

11:10 – 11:55 AM: Workshop Session 1
1a- Ana Serano, Prison Dancer
1b- Alex Lacson, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country
1c- Rich Kiamco, Comedian
1d- Leah Villanueva, Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs, University of Florida
1e- Renjie Bulatid, TedxWaterloo

12:05-12:55 PM: Lunch
- Delegates go out for their own lunch - Check out the Program for Top Places to Eat!

1:05-1:35pm Middle Keynote (Q&A Session)
Jose Antonio Vargas, Define American

1:45 – 2:40 PM: Secondary Panel Session
Five Panels:

1. Pilipino Renaissance in Health & Medicine: PNA NY-Susan Gador, Kalusugan Coalition-Rhodora Ursua, CACF- Noilyn Abesamis- Mendoza, Nurse Lim
2. Pilipino Renaissance in Business and Entrepreneurship: ARK- Jerry Topitzer, Maharlika- Nicole Ponseca, Jaycees- Atty. Mia Fulgado, BUSOG.co -Darwin Dion Ignacio & R/GA- Ray Sison
3. Pilipino Renaissance in Politics, Activism and Civic Engagement: FiRE/ GABRIELA-USA - Jennine Ventura, Anakbayan USA- Yves Nibungco, NaFFAA Region 1- Merit Salud, DAMAYAN, Eric Lachica
4. Pilipino Renaissance in Education and Storytelling: Sulu Series, Sulu DC- Alex Cena, foodcurated.com- Liza deGuia, 'Pacific Rims'- Rafe Bartholomew, TedxWaterloo- Renjie Butalid, University of California- Leezel Ramos
5. Pilipino Renaissance in Arts & Entertainment: BroadwayWorld.com- Oliver Oliveros, Universal Self- Kilusan Bautista, God of Love- Stephanie Walmsley, Music Producer- Illmind, Leviathan Lab-Ariel Estrada 

2:50 – 3:15 PM: Entertainment
Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig

3:15-3:17 PM: Introduction of Surveys
Pauline Datulayta

3:25 – 4:15 PM:  Workshop Session 2

1. Stephanie Walmsley, Producer of “God of Love”
2. Nicole Ponseca, Maharlika
3. Rafe Bartholmew, Author of 'Pacific Rims'
4. Randy Gener, Co-Director, Filipino Mundo NYC
5. Ryan Letada, Next Day Better and Catchafire

Surveys that will already be placed in each room will be distributed and filled-out

4:25 – 4:30 PM: Collect Surveys
Collect survey and pick winner of Raffle

4:40 – 5:05 PM: Closing Ceremony

1. Address/Thanks/Introductions:
   Rachelle Ocampo, Associate Director of UniPro & Judy Yem, Summit Co-Chair
2. Closing Speaker: Ayesha Veru-Yu, Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK)
3. Closing Remarks

5:05 – 5:40 PM: Networking
We have the auditorium until 7PM, giving ample opportunity for further networking and promotion of sponsors/tabling for the delegates.

5:40-6:00 PM: End of 2012 UniPro Summit

8:00 – 11:00PM: An Evening in Manila- Spring Edition
Location: Fletcher Sinclair Mansion 2 East 79th Street NYC
Benefiting ARK.

Hosted by Project Heal Manila | Maharlika | Tomas Moves | Unipro
*Times are Subject To Change