FYP ATX / About
·Our story

About FYP ATX — Filipino Young Professionals of Austin — Honoring Our Heritage,
Building Our Community

Founded in 2017, FYP ATX connects, empowers, and celebrates the Filipino-American community across Central Texas through career programs, cultural events, and youth mentorship.

2018
Founded
501(c)(3)
Tax status
11
Board members
ATX
Hometown

The Filipino Young Professionals of Austin, Texas (FYP-ATX) was founded in the spring of 2017 as a social networking group and has since evolved into a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are committed to celebrating and strengthening Filipino identity through five foundational pillars: arts and culture, community service, networking, professional development, and youth mentorship. As the Central Texas region rapidly grows and diversifies, FYP-ATX continually adapts to meet our changing landscape, responding directly to our community's needs for creative expression, intentional cultural connection, and deep professional and personal growth.

OUR MISSION

To empower the Filipino and broader Austin community through creative expression, leadership, and mentorship—deeply infused with Filipino cultural values and perspectives.

OUR VISION

Through our targeted programming, specifically our arts and culture initiatives, we strive to design inclusive spaces that honor heritage, amplify underrepresented voices, and showcase the vibrant creativity of Filipino Americans and allies within Austin's dynamic cultural landscape.

Our Values

Kapwa (Shared Identity)
We operate on the foundational core of interconnectedness, treating our community as an extension of ourselves and ensuring that everything we build supports the collective whole.
Authentic Leadership
We value culturally informed professional growth, empowering our members, entrepreneurs, and creatives to break barriers and lead with true authenticity.
Cultural Stewardship
We are dedicated to preserving and showcasing Filipino artistry, music, dance, cuisine, and storytelling, passing down living traditions to future generations.
Civic Action & Unity
We believe in actively uplifting Central Texas by weaving cultural pride with meaningful local service and strategic volunteer partnerships.
Inclusive Belonging
We value intentional community spaces that cultivate a true sense of family, expression, and mutual support for professionals, students, and young families alike.

Our Milestones

2018
The first Kamayan dinner

Eight friends around a banana-leaf table in East Austin. No agenda, just adobo and the idea that we needed each other.

2020
Virtual pivot

When the world paused, FYP ATX didn't. We moved online and held our most-attended events to date.

2022
Project Tropa launches

Our youth mentorship arm pairs Filipino-American high schoolers with professional mentors across Austin.

2023
501(c)(3) status granted

Official nonprofit status opens new doors for sponsorship, scholarship funding, and institutional partnerships.

2025
600+ members · Adobo Fest

The community hit a new milestone and threw its biggest cultural event yet.

Our Board of Directors

The FYP-ATX Board of Directors serves as the strategic compass of our organization, steering our long-term mission and expanding our vision for the Central Texas community. They are the visionary leaders, cross-sector builders, and cultural stewards who work behind the scenes to turn community passion into measurable regional impact.

Jenn Penano-Colazo
Jenn Penano-Colazo
PRESIDENT

The captain of our ship sets the vision, aligns leadership, and steers the organization’s high-level strategy and growth.

P
Pauline Cabotage
VICE PRESIDENT

Managing day-to-day operations, backing up executive decisions, and keeping internal initiatives running smoothly.

Andrea  Gonzales
Andrea Gonzales
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMS

Creating safe, welcoming social spaces, brunches, language tables, and demographic-specific peer circles.

Joseph  Mayang
Joseph Mayang
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The legacy builder, managing Project Tropa, university student partnerships (UTFSA), and building collegiate-to-professional pipelines.

Den Mondejar
Den Mondejar
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The legacy builder, managing Project Tropa, university student partnerships (ITFSA), and building collegiate-to-professional pipelines.

May Ledesma
May Ledesma
DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The architect of our leadership tracks, organizing leadership workshops, professional workshops, personal branding series, and career panels.

Tonee Sinsay-Carpio
Tonee Sinsay-Carpio
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Coordinating civic partnerships, volunteer opportunities, and mobilizing members for local non-profit actions.

Samantha Gelvoria
Samantha Gelvoria
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Our civic bridge, mobilizing our collective energy to show up for Austin through powerful local service.

J
Jovelle Gipson
DIRECTOR OF ARTS & CULTURE

Leading cultural festivals, creative workshops, and preserving language through public artistic expressions.

Marnel Cabato
Marnel Cabato
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Budgeting, tracking financial compliance, and ensuring transparent fund allocation for nonprofit sustainability.

E
Emily Alojado
DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Providing coaching, leadership resources, and capacity-building frameworks to support and strengthen our internal Board of Directors.

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