Washington, DC’s Georgetown Waterfront has always lent itself to a certain image of summer chill amidst a backdrop of yachts, alfresco dining, and commercial retail. However, for one weekend every May, this vibe is momentarily upended by splashing waters, breakneck paddling, and furious competition.
Here comes the dragon boats.
Dragon boat racing can trace its roots back 2,000 years ago where it originated as a folk ritual of contending villages throughout southern China. Today, dragon boat racing features prominently in local dragon boat festivals across the country.
Since 2008, the Filipino Young Professionals of DC (FYP-DC) has participated in Washington DC’s annual Dragon Boat Festival and has built quite a reputation.
For the 2019 festival FYP-DC put out two boats. The first was the veteran “Lapu Lapu Warriors” team named after the Filipino chieftain who is considered the country’s first national hero. The Lapu Lapu Warriors are THE team that seemingly lived in the winner’s podium and had an established tradition of winning medals and trophies during the festival.
The second was the “the Silang Warriors” team named after Gabriela Silang, the “Henerala” who was the first female leader of a Filipino movement for independence. While not as celebrated as its more seasoned counterpart, the Silang Warriors comprised of a determined group of first-time paddlers eager to prove that they should not be taken lightly.
Despite the difference in each team’s history and experience, both found common ground through its shared goal of representing Filipinos in the DMV area and contributing to a legacy of competitive excellence.
The first practice sessions, however, were plagued with timing miscues, clanking paddles, fatigue, and a face full of the Potomac’s brackish waters. During one such session paddlers from both teams found themselves in the middle of torrential sideways downpour. However, adversity brings out the best in people. Danielle Peterson, a first-time paddler for FYP-DC, said “It was rough but I could still feel the energy and focus that the dragon boat team brought on the water and it made me excited to see how things would turn out at the festival.”
Danielle’s words were prophetic and when the DC Dragon Boat festival arrived, both the Lapu Lapu and Silang Warriors were ready. By the end of the competition, the Silang Warriors proved their worth by capturing the gold medal in the 500 meter race. The Lapu Lapu Warriors took home the prestigious honor of the DC Community Cup and further cemented their legacy as the best dragon boat team in the DMV.
Two boats, two teams, one heartbeat, all champions.
If you would like to learn more information about Filipino Young Professionals of DC or to get involved with its Dragon Boat teams, please contact FYP-DC at hello@fypdc.org.
On December 15th, TAP-DC will return to Arlington National Cemetery to join thousands of volunteers in Wreaths Across America. This year, we are going to be joined by our friends at FYP-DC and NOVAL-DC
Due to anticipated congestion on Memorial Ave, we are going to meet at Starbucks in Rosslyn (1501 17th St N) at 7:00am and proceed to the Ord-Weitzel Gate at 7:45, near the U.S. Marine Corp War Memorial.
Plans may subject to change. If you are attending with us, please mark that you are going so we can get a sense on how many people will be coming.
Rideshare is your best bet to reach us on time. If you are driving, please reserve your spot ahead of time on Spothero in one of the parking garages in the area. There will be limited cell service so please arrive at our designated meet up spot. All latecomers will be required to catch up with the group on their own. NO EXCEPTIONS.
BAGS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE CEMETERY.
Questions? Email TAP-DC’s David Chang (david.chang@tap-dc.org) or FYP’s Raymond Javier (raymond.javier@fypdc.org).
In partnership with the Filipino Young Professionals of Washington DC and NAAAP DC, the Greater Washington Chapter of Ascend invites you to the 2018 Holiday Party for another fantastic year-end celebration at Bar Bao in Arlington, VA. Join us for food, libations, and fun networking as we bring 2018 to close!
A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – DMV.
Get your tickets from Eventbrite
Ascend Member: $5.00
Non-Member: $15.00
Where: Calico Blagden Alley, 50 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20001
Please join us for our Annual Multi-APA Collective Toy Drive.
We have been doing this for 12 years and we love how Asian Pacific American Film – APA Film, NAAAP DC and Christian Oh helps get all these other community and APA organizations to help collect toys for charity.
For our 12th Year, we are supporting Toys For Tots once again and ensuring that this Holiday season will be a big one for all the families who have suffered the many disasters and catastrophes across the country.
The format is simple. Basically, we ask that attendees bring an UNWRAPPED toy and take in the fun and networking spirit of the holidays. (If you don’t bring a toy, we ask for a MINIMUM $15 donation).
Please get in the spirit of the holidays and help make a child’s Christmas a little warmer!
THANKS TO Oomlato for donating the brand new Echo Dot for raffle!!
Food & Drink Specials 5-7 pm $2 off Victory Pilsner, Smuttynose Brown Ale, Draft Prosecco, Draft Dolcetto $3 slices of Tomato Pie
A special spotlight goes out to former FYP Social Chair and Dragon Boater Dr. Bart Santos, a dentist who graduated from Rowan University and got his DMD from Temple Dental School and the brother-in-law of the wonderful Randy Lizardo.
He also is a DJ and is participating in Miss DC’s “Man of the District” competition tomorrow (May 7th) from 7-9 pm EST at Penn Social! Let’s support our friend and fellow community leader!
Patrice Cleary, Owner of Purple Patch Food & Drink
Our weekly spotlight focuses on the beloved Patrice Cleary who owns the amazing Purple Patch, a staple of FYP. Along with being an incredible cook, she also considers herself a “pool shark” who won MVP for her skill level. Cleary is a “pyromaniac” and also sets her drinks on fire.
Patrice, FYP would not be where it is without you. We love and appreciate you so much!
The Filipino Young Professionals of DC and the Filipino American Lawyers Association of DC will be collaborating for an exciting event as part of their professional development series.
Many folks think about going to law school, especially in DC, but many are unsure of this career option. FALA & FYP will be hosting a panel to talk about law school as an option with FALA members sharing why they decided to go into law school and at different stages in their career. Hear from folks who went right after undergrad, after receiving a masters, or even after working for several years. We want attendees to realize there are many paths to law school and it is accessible to everyone no matter how old you are or at what point you are in your professional development.
Location: Whiteford Taylor Preston | 1800 M Street, NW Suite 450N, Washington, DC 20036
Date: Tuesday, April 24th, 2018
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Doors open/Networking (appetizers will be served)
6:00 PM – 7:15 PM: Panel of Lawyers & Q&A
7:30 PM: Optional Networking Session at Vapiano’s next door
ANNOUNCEMENT: We love hearing your stories at FYP! As a professional and cultural organization, YOUR journeys matter the most to us. That is why Manila Mail, the Filipino community newspaper and FYP are partnering to start featuring FYP’s stories. Do you have some photos you want published? Do you want to write about how being Filipino has shaped your professional and personal journeys?
Throughout the U.S. military history, many Asian immigrants to the United States enlisted and served alongside their counterparts all the way back to the Civil War. More importantly, many women started to formally enlist in the early 20th century to become part of the growing strength of the U.S. Armed Forces and some of that small number include Filipino American women.
FYP-DC remembers all the women who have served in the military and honors those who are still currently serving our nation.
Photo Credit: U.S. Navy
Babette Bolivar
Babette “Bette” Bolivar was born in Hawaii and raised in various locations in the Western Pacific by Filipino parents Ted Cereno Bolivar, from Camarines Sur and Virginia Dolor of Pangasinan. Her father Ted retired as a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in oceanography. She also holds a Master of Science in management from Troy University. She was also inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame.
In the first woman-to-woman transfer of command of U.S. Navy Region Southeast, Rear Admiral Bolivar assumed command from Rear Admiral Mary M. Jackson in a ceremony February of 2017. As the current Commander of Navy Region Southeast, she is the regional commander and immediate superior in command, and manages and oversees shore installation management support and execution for 18 installations within Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Cuba.
Commissioned in June 1979, Vice Admiral Raquel Bono obtained her baccalaureate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and attended medical school at Texas Tech University.
Shortly after training, she saw duty in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as head, Casualty Receiving, Fleet Hospital 5 in Saudi Arabia from August 1990 to March 1991. Her other duties include being a surgeon and head of commands in various Navy locations.
In September 1999, she was assigned as the director of Restorative Care at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She currently serves as director of Defense Health Agency (DHA) in Falls Church, VA. The Director of DHA oversees a joint, integrated Combat Support Agency that enables the Army, Navy and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force to Combatant Commands in both peacetime and wartime. The DHA supports the delivery of integrated, affordable, and high quality health services to Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries and is responsible for driving greater integration of clinical and business processes across the MHS.
Bono is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and has an Executive MBA from the Carson College of Business at Washington State University.
Florence Finch in an undated photograph. She enlisted with the Coast Guard after working for the Philippine resistance and aiding the Americans in World War II. Credit United States Coast Guard
Since it’s the month of love, we wanted to give our weekly spotlight to two people who met through FYP, Jill Yu and her husband, Francis Yu! Here is their story!
“Our romance started in a very typical Washingtonian way — at a networking event. For us it just so happened to be at one of FYP’s networking happy hours back in June 2011. I remember it was at Arlington Rooftop in Courthouse. We both were invited by other FYP members; in fact, we were close to not attending. Francis was studying from the bar exam, and he desperately needed a break. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go because I had just arrived in DC for a summer internship; I didn’t really know anyone and felt a little shy about doing this whole networking thing. Fortunately we both showed up, our good friend Iris introduced us, and we soon learned that we were both aspiring lawyers. Next thing I know, Francis invites me to his birthday party that weekend. Throw in a long-distance relationship and my giant move from the west coast to the east coast, and the rest is history. Four years later, we said, “I do!”
We are so happy you two met through FYP! Here’s to forever! — with Since it’s the month of love, we wanted to give our weekly spotlight to two people who met through FYP, Jill and her husband, Francis! Here is their story!
“Our romance started in a very typical Washingtonian way — at a networking event. For us it just so happened to be at one of FYP’s networking happy hours back in June 2011. I remember it was at Arlington Rooftop in Courthouse. We both were invited by other FYP members; in fact, we were close to not attending. Francis was studying from the bar exam, and he desperately needed a break. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go because I had just arrived in DC for a summer internship; I didn’t really know anyone and felt a little shy about doing this whole networking thing. Fortunately we both showed up, our good friend Iris introduced us, and we soon learned that we were both aspiring lawyers. Next thing I know, Francis invites me to his birthday party that weekend. Throw in a long-distance relationship and my giant move from the west coast to the east coast, and the rest is history. Four years later, we said, “I do!”
We are so happy you two met through FYP! Here’s to forever!
Today, we focus on Dr. Julian Gapud, a General Dentist at Davidson Dental Associates on K Street. He just moved back to DC from South Carolina and we are grateful he is back with his many gifts and talents!
Here are some of his interests:
I am refining my basic salsa skills.
I love checking out DC’s ever-growing, while trying to stay fit.
Listening to Live music of any genre (except country)
Sports junkie (#Gocaps #Gowiz)
Pretty much anything spontaneous to satisfy my inner urban explorer!
Our second weekly spotlight focuses on former FYP Vice President, Mark Arevalo! An active community leader, Mark’s passion for his professional and cultural life always shines through. Here are some fast facts about him.
Past: FYP-DC, Vice-President
Current: NaFFAA Director, National Diverse Segments Council
Career: Cyber Security Lead, U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Navy Reserve Officer
Education: B.S. University of Pittsburgh; M.S. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Interests: Snowboarding, running, community work, travel and trying great places to eat in D.C.
Mark, we are so grateful for all of the work you have done with FYP! Salamat!
Our first weekly spotlight focuses on Danielle Agraviador, who earned her Masters in Public Health from George Washington University in 2017! Here are some tidbits about her.
Career: Research Assistant, Comprehensive Cancer Control for the Institute for Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center
Interests: Playing Nintendo Switch, going to the gym, tennis, traveling, eating cute desserts
We value your work and commitment to the community Danielle. Thanks for being part of FYP!
Filipino Young Professionals hosting 2018 Kick-Off Happy Hour
FYP opening the year with 2018 Kick-Off Happy Hour
Washington DC: The Washington DC chapter of FYP (i.e. Filipino Young Professionals) is opening the New Year with a 2018 Kick-Off Happy Hour at Purple Patch in Columbia Heights. As the premier organization for Filipino working professionals, this networking event is designed to connect all Filipino and Asian-Pacific Islanders in the DC metro area.
The event is featured on our social media pages. If you are planning on attending, please RSVP on Facebook. Along with guest speakers, great food, and successful company, the event will feature a raffle for those who select ‘Going’ on Facebook. The event will also be an introduction to the 2018 Executive Board of FYP. For any questions or feedback, please email gofypdc@gmail.com.
Yes, FYP-DC is moving…virtually. New year, new look! After five years, we are redesigning our website and will be launching it in a few weeks. Stay tuned for a new layout and more exciting contents for the new year.
Join FYP-DC so you don’t miss out on any of our events and happenings catered specifically for our members.
Please join us for our 11th Annual Multi-APA Collective Toy Drive.
We have been doing this for over 10 years and DC Asian Pacific American Film – APA Film & NAAAP DC along with Christian Oh helps get all these other community and APA organizations to help collect toys for charity. This year we are going back to collect toys for Toys for Tots. Considering all the natural disasters our country has faced, they will need so much more toys to be collected. Thus, we are trying to bring a new record amount of brand new donated toys. The format is simple. Basically, we ask that attendees bring an UNWRAPPED toy and take in the fun and networking spirit of the holidays. (If you don’t bring a toy, we ask for a MINIMUM $10 donation).
Please get in the spirit of the holidays and help make a child’s Christmas a little warmer! If your APA group wants to participate, please contact us! Food & Drink Specials will be available all evening and bring your business cards to network and mingle. (more…)
