TEMPLE BEAUDRY : 11 Filipino Interns Get a Taste of Politics

The nation’s only leadership training and political internship program for Filipino Americans has welcomed its second group of summer interns, who will receive hands-on lessons in the world of politics.

Founders Marissa B. Castro and Michael Balaoing established the internship program to give young Filipino Americans a taste of how decisions are made in legislative offices at the federal, state and local levels.

The 11 interns, ranging from recent high school graduates to college seniors, will work for 10 weeks in a legislative office.

Assignments include the offices of U.S. senators and representatives, state Assembly members, the state treasurer, County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles Board of Education, City Council members and the mayor’s office.

“This program is not just an opportunity to land an internship with a politician or add a line to someone’s resume,” Balaoing said. “This is about molding individuals and a team to make meaningful and lasting contributions to our community.”

Although they form the largest Asian Pacific population group in California, Filipino Americans still lack the political access and clout required to get their concerns addressed, Balaoing said.

The internship program is designed to acquaint young Filipino Americans with the political process and, through a series of workshops, develop their public-speaking skills and problem-solving abilities.

“We’re seeing a passing of the torch” to a younger generation of leaders, said Joel Jacinto, executive director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans.

The late Philip Vera Cruz, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, and Royal Morales, director of the Pacific Asian Alcohol Program, set a high standard for community activists, Jacinto told the interns.

“It’s a challenge to you to continue our struggle,” he said.

Intern Steve Chiong, who will be working in Mayor Richard Riordan’s office, said he is looking forward to “testing the waters of the public sector.”

“Too often Filipinos are ignored and it’s time we are recognized in our communities,” said Chiong, a Belmont High School graduate and a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

The internship is sponsored by a coalition of groups, including Search to Involve and the Network to Improve the Pilipino American Community Today.

Each intern receives a $500 stipend.

Among last year’s group of interns, all six who had finished their studies and were seeking jobs found employment in legislative offices or social service agencies, Jacinto said.

This year’s interns are: Chiong, Art Concordia, Desi Danganan, Arnel Dino, Edna Flores, Marco Jastilliana, Victoria Leonido, Donna Pascua, Anthony Simbol, James Sison and Valerie Villaraza.

Information: (213) 382-1819.