Tayo: It’s you. It’s me. It’s us.

Written By Leezel Tanglao

December 31, 2020

(video by Reanna Felix)

When we started this journey in April, most of us were strangers.

Some of us knew each other through other organizations or other prior interactions or collaborations.

Or we’ve traveled together to the Philippines through the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO).

But the reality is that we have not all been in a room together physically. And we may not be able to anytime soon.

However that didn’t stop us.

We responded in the most Filipino way possible. We adapted and innovated.

We met virtually, used group texts, chats and slack to coordinate and communicate.

We called each other and checked in.

We used everything at our disposal to make sure we answer a higher calling — something that is rooted deep in our DNA and as a people to care — for everyone and each other.

That innovative spirit was harnessed into something that has left an impact on our Kababayans around the world — Caretaker Project and Tayo help desk.

Today, I can confidently say you’ve all become part of a larger and higher cause greater than any of us could have ever imagined.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.

It’s been an honor to lead this team and I’m humbled by all of your support, talent and love you’ve given — to this project, your community, yourselves.

Tayo.

It’s you.

It’s me.

It’s us.

Time is blurry during these times but it’s also something you can’t get back.

You chose to work on this, spend time on this….. but I’d like to think it chose you too.

There’s not enough words that can capture or express my gratitude to all of you for choosing to spend your time to work on something that will help our community during the greatest crisis to face humanity in recent history.

And it’s already made an impact.

Let’s look at some numbers since going live on Oct. 17, 2020:

12+ media mentions from local, national and Filipino press:

5+ virtual event participation or mentions including:

All of this would not have been possible with the following people (forgive me if I missed anyone):

Thank you to the Booz Allen Foundation for giving the seed funding to get this off the ground in the fall.

Thank you to Tayo core team who have tirelessly sacrificed their time and offered their talent to bring this project to life:

FYLPRO COVID19 taskforce:

Project Manager: Tiffany Batac (FYLPRO BOD)

Development Lead: Dexter Ligot-Gordon

Project Operations Coordinator: Pia Besmonte

Product Designer: Jiggy Villanueva

Developer: Aaron Lee

Product Advisor: Donny Rojo (FYLPRO BOD)

Product Counsel: Mark Calaguas

Fellowship Director: Krystle Canare (FYLPRO BOD)

Risk Mitigator & Creative Consultant: TJ Simba-Medel (FYLPRO BOD)

Special Projects Manager & Technologist: Jobel Vecino

Core Team: Joshua Ang Price (FYLPRO BOD), Melissa Palma (FYLPRO BOD), Frederick Docdocil, Brian Tajo (FYLPRO BOD), Ireneo Reus III, Kit Zulueta Furukawa

Thank you to our 2020 FYLPRO board of directors and alumni who supported us from the beginning and continue to do so with their encouragement and insights:

Louella Cabalona

Char McGinnis

Jen Coniflores

Sergio Alcubilla III

JP Ferrer

Tony Delarosa

Lakhi Siap

FYLPRO Alums:

Bea Rico

JR Calanoc

Anthony Guevara

Melissa Medina

Ryann Tanap

Cat Luib

Ray Villanueva

Antonio Moya

Marjorie Baltazar

Ryan Dalusag

EJ David

Kevin Zagala

Anna Marie Cruz

Thank you to our FYLPRO Fellows who balanced their school, work and life to help bring the most reliable information and stories to Tayo:

Reanna M Felix

Nichole Dungo

Kristen Del Pilar

Kathleen Frejoles

Sarah Mae Dizon

Justine Suegay

Maileen Mamaradlo

Shiela Mae W Valerio

Cristina de la Cruz

Aryelle Montecer

Diana Del Rosario

Mason Del Rio

Keilani Coquia

Nicole Landon

Summer Merida

Jeff Stanley

Peter Camacho

Jonathan Gabriel Carrera

Thank you to our Expert Reviewers and Senior Advisory Panelists who keep us honest and accurate:

Angelico Razon

Joel Vazquez

Marielle Kabin

Zowee Aquino

Aggie Serrame

Stefanie Segovia

Ryan Dalusag

Juliet Bui

Tiffany Batac

Mark Calaguas

Melissa Palma

Antonio Moya

Josh Price

Senior Advisors:

Gerry Palon

Melany De La Cruz-Viesca

Dr. Joyce Javier

Dr. Monica Caffey

Dr. D.J. Ida

Thank you to our funders and supporters:

Earl Baylon

Krystle Canare

Kevin Zagala

Fred Docdocil

Moonie Lantion

Alex Ong

Jennifer Coniflores

Tony Delarosa

Rachelle Ocampo

Cara Reedy

Joanne Boston

Lakhi Siap

Baylor Filipino Student Association

Thank you to our community partners and collaborators:

Philippine Embassy

Ayala Foundation

Minority Psychology Network

Entrepinayship

Becky’s Fund

Pacific Asian Counseling Services

Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine

Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies

FASTER

SIPA

FASGI

Thank you to all our user feedback participants who made our project better through their insights and suggestions:

Tita Domingo

Camille Tamayo

Evelyn Tadeo

Veronica Maganis

Alex Ong

Myrna Ong

Chris Martin

Jeffrey Maganis

AC Boral

Rizal Martin

Jenelle Mecijia

Lino Caringal

Perla Santos

Marielle Guting

Aquillina Soriano

Nerisa Manalo

Myra Hufnagel

Thank you to our Vaccine Survey team

Dr. Melissa Palma

Sheena Garcia

Cien Venzon

Matt Roces

Gianna Apoderado

Jaira Mendoza

Samantha Sumait

Megan Yee

TJ Simba-Medel

Maileen Mamaradio

Diana Del Rosario

Sheila Mae Valerio

Nicole Landon

Marycon Jiro

Gabriel Garcia

Adianez Ampil

Anthony Liu

And we’re just getting started.

Be on the lookout for a virtual event in January, a nationwide survey on Filipino attitudes on vaccines, join our Tayo FB group and more partnerships/collaborations to help you get connected to vital resources and reliable information during COVID19.

Kababayan, we’re in this together.

In Solidarity,

Leezel Tanglao

FYLPRO COVID19 Task Force Chair, Program Director and Spokesperson

If you like to support our efforts you can donate here (indicate whether it’s for Tayo or COVID19 relief fund):

https://www.tayohelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002509635

If you want to get involved:

email us at covidresponse@fylpro.org or leezel.tanglao@fylpro.org

Leezel Tanglao
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