YOUNG FILIPINO AMERICANS OF PITTSBURGH

The Young Filipino Americans of Pittsburgh (YFAP) comprises children of the FAAP members, ranging from 5 to 18 years of age. Its origins date back to the late 1970’s when it was informally organized by Pete Guevara and the late Tesy Buenviaje as the Kabataang Pilipino. Memories of its early activities and its leadership are vague. Its well-known activity was Christmas caroling to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The first president was Bang Ayson. Some of the early leaders included Lito and Cyla Alcantara, Peter and Paul Guevara, the Ayson siblings, the Vega boys, the Corpuz children, Nina Guinto and Franco Salvoza

Its origins date back to the late 1970’s when it was informally organized by Pete Guevara and the late Tesy Buenviaje as the Kabataang Pilipino. Memories of its early activities and its leadership are vague. Its well-known activity was Christmas caroling to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The first president was Bang Ayson. Some of the early leaders included Lito and Cyla Alcantara, Peter and Paul Guevara, the Ayson siblings, the Vega boys, the Corpuz children, Nina Guinto and Franco Salvoza.

In 1988, under President Anthony Angeles, its name was changed to Young Filipinos of Pittsburgh (YFP). Members nicknamed themselves Flips. In 1993-1994, the group assumed full responsibility for preparing the program for the annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival, with President Maureen Angeles, Vice-president Jason Abucejo and Jason Guevarra as cultural co-chairpersons. This role was taken seriously and excellently performed until 2001, when the Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh (SPNP) evolved into the FAAP and the youth group was put under the supervision of its Youth Committee. Until then, while its president was an ex-oficio member of the SPNP Board of Directors, the YFP had operated as an independent organization.

Today the youth group is known by yet another name, the Young Filipino Americans of Pittsburgh (YFAP), reflecting the changes made after it came under the umbrella of the FAAP. Its involvement in the charitable, cultural, and educational missions of the FAAP continues and intensifies. It has undertaken major fundraisers in the form of the Biennial Benefit Concerts, enabling it to raise money for many worthy or charitable causes. It carries out the cultural and educational missions of the FAAP through the Dance Troupe, which is open to active members and their families, and performs throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area and beyond. It has also organized educational trips, including those to Washington D.C., New York City, and Toronto, Canada.

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YFAP EVENTS

View the calendar of events here

For more information, please send an email to: yfap@theFAAP.org

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