Press Release

CHICAGO, 19 October 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago participated in the 34th Filipinx Americans Coming Together (FACT) Conference held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on 17 October 2026, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening engagement with Filipino-American students.

Representing the Consulate were Consul Ella Karina Mitra-Yeager and Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel, who attended the conference's Opening Ceremony and participated in the Student Leadership Roundtable.

Organized by the Philippine Student Association (PSA) of UIUC, FACT is recognized as the largest Filipino-American student conference in the Midwest. This year's three-day gathering, held from 16 to 18 October 2026, brought together more than 1,200 participants representing 26 schools. Now in its 34th year, the annual conference serves as a platform for students to celebrate their Filipino heritage, strengthen connections across university communities, and develop their leadership potential.

Carrying the theme "Mahiwagahan: Enchanting Our Bright Minds," the conference featured workshops, cultural presentations, performances, and discussions exploring Filipino identity, history, and the experiences of Filipino-Americans.

During the Opening Ceremony, keynote speaker Stephanie Vivit Lehmann, an award-winning Filipino-American children's book author and founder of Pamilya Press, delivered an inspiring message encouraging young Filipino-Americans to embrace their heritage with pride, recognize the value of their unique identities and experiences, and confidently claim their space in their communities and beyond. Her address underscored the importance of representation, cultural identity, and storytelling in empowering younger generations and fostering a stronger sense of belonging.

Following the Opening Ceremony, Consul Mitra-Yeager and Cultural Officer Duran-Mortel participated in the Student Leadership Roundtable, which provided an opportunity for the Consulate to engage directly with leaders of Filipino student organizations from various universities.

During the discussion, the Consulate highlighted programs and initiatives relevant to Filipino-American youth, including the YouLEAD (Youth Leaders in the Diaspora) Program of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), which seeks to strengthen young Filipino diaspora leaders' connection to the Philippines and encourage their active participation in community development and nation-building.

The Consulate also shared information on its consular services, cultural diplomacy initiatives, and community engagement programs, emphasizing opportunities for students to participate in activities that promote Philippine culture and strengthen ties between the Philippines and Filipino-American communities in the Midwest.

Equally important, the roundtable provided a valuable opportunity for the Consulate to listen to the experiences, concerns, and challenges encountered by student leaders in managing their respective organizations.

The Consulate's participation in FACT 2026 forms part of its continuing efforts to deepen engagement with Filipino-American youth, support emerging community leaders, and encourage younger generations to maintain meaningful connections with their Filipino roots. END