Empowering Leaders the Filipino Way

by Linda Dela Cruz

While scrolling on LinkedIn in July last year, a Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi post caught my attention.

I saw my former KHON2 colleague Calvin Bagaoisan in a group photo that promoted the upcoming FCCH Fellows program for leadership. I texted him to congratulate him and learn more about it.

At lunch, he shared how the program empowered him in 2024 and encouraged me to apply. I shared about my visit to Balagtas, Bulacan, in the Philippines when I visited for a month as a youngster.

I know a few Tagalog words, including masarap (delicious) and maraming salamat (thank you very much). I performed Filipino folk dances in my teen years. I enjoyed Filipino parties where I learned to love the buffet table. I love pancit bihon, dinuguan, lumpia, and Filipino fruit salad.

Like food, leadership has a deeper story. As a multimedia storyteller, I applied to learn powerful skills to inspire action.

I was honored to be selected for the FCCH Fellows Program Class of 2026.

We had 10 fellows in our Evolve cohort: Jaynnel Agrade, Matthew Aqui, Addison Bulosan, Ryan Corpuz, Linette Medina, Melissa Pineda, Dean Ramos, Judy Relosimon Ng, Doug Williams, and me.

The FCCH Fellows Program empowers emerging leaders to serve in business, nonprofits, and government, focusing on those committed to uplifting the Filipino community.

The application includes written responses, two letters of support, and an interview. Fellows contribute $1,500 toward a $10,000 program covering mentorship, site visits, travel, and meals.

It was established in 2020 under FCCH President Jeoffrey Cudiamat with support from the Albano Family.

The program has graduated 40 fellows across five cohorts—Alpha, Bravo, Chaos, Destiny, and Evolve—each with six to ten members. Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort open this summer.

Jeff Orig of Orig Media, a member of the inaugural Alpha cohort, has seen the program grow.

“I love watching the content evolve into powerful training, tools, and networks that uplift both community and leadership,” Orig says.

Su Lazo, a graduate of Bravo Class, has led the program committee for the past three years with the assistance of other alumni.

She explains, “I was motivated to make sure the next class after me (Chaos) had the opportunity to explore their identities as Fil-Am leaders.”

Lazo, a workforce development program manager for the Office of Economic Development for the City and County of Honolulu, integrated Filipino culture into the program to show its influence on leadership.

My Evolve classmate Melissa Pineda, who is a project engineer with Amethyst Builders LLC., says that was one of the best aspects.

“It helped me put the things I had observed growing up into words and context and provided a clearer understanding of those cultural experiences,” Pineda adds.

“Joining the program challenged me in ways that encouraged personal growth and helped me become more open to new experiences.”

We met once or twice a month from September to March, both online and in person, culminating in a group presentation of a project in April.

We learned from executive mentors. We had discussions about the past, present, and future with community leaders that incorporated visits to the Hawaiʻi Plantation Village, FilCom Center, Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, and Y. Hata & Co.

Fellows describe the experience as “transformative,” “grounding,” and “a bridge to the community.”

Joyce Kilgore, who works with The Queen’s Health Systems, completed her Fellows program last year with the Destiny Class.

“There’s something special about watching a new cohort go through the same journey—knowing what’s ahead for them, even when they don’t yet,“ Kilgore notes.

“It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about your own class or your own moment.”

The program was like an all-you-can-eat buffet of insights from experts. One lesson that stood out—from AJ Halagao, Vince Baldemore, and Ryan Mandado—was to stay positive and lift others as you rise.

They emphasized taking the high road and responding with kindness, even when others try to sabotage you.

We were encouraged to attend events such as Sakada Day, FCCH’s Legislative Breakfast, and the Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta.

I attended the 2025 QUAD Chamber Roundtable and Heritage Cup at YWCA Laniākea, where leaders from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, and Filipino Chamber of Commerce connected.

QUAD Chamber Committee Chair and FCCH Vice President Constancio Paranal III, says the event showcases the Filipino Chamber’s investment in developing talent in our community by introducing them to others.

“That exposure is critical, not just for their growth as Filipino American leaders, but as future leaders of Hawaiʻi as a whole,” emphasizes Paranal, who is from the Chaos Class.

Program leaders and the Fellows are thankful to all those who sponsored the Evolve class: Servco Pacific, Southwest Airlines, Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, and Y. Hata & Co.

“We believe in investing in local leaders who shape their communities from the inside out, and for the long run,” says Lillian Santos-Stables, Regional Community Outreach Manager at Southwest Airlines.

“It’s one of several ways we’ve been deepening our connection to the Filipino community, including a new partnership with Philippine Airlines.”

I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received throughout my life’s journey as I celebrate my 30th anniversary in Hawaii from New York City this year.

Mahalo, Do Jeah, and Maraming Salamat to my Fellows sponsors Bulacan Circle and Associates of Hawaii president Angie Santiago, Tiny Bubblies owner Cynthia Duong, Ninang Siony Placiente, FCCH President Elvi Sutherland, and Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Publisher Chona Montesines-Sonido.

Thank you to everyone who has walked alongside me during my time in the FCCH Fellows program. To my love and my rock, Jerrette, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In the spirit of bayanihan (community and solidarity), let’s get together for a meal—sharing rice, pancit bihon, and lumpia.

I’ve saved you a seat at the executive table so we can carry our ancestors’ tradition of building a better world together. Let’s eat—gutom ako (I’m hungry)!

Discover more about the Fellows Program at https://filipinochamber.org/fellows or email fellows@filipinochamber.org.

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