Programs and Activities:
- Bayani Campaign (Establishing the Filipino identity among Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the United States)
The Bayani Campaign is anchored on the concept of BAYANIHAN defined as the spirit of communal unity that can be traced back to Filipino forefathers in pre-colonial times. The concept and spirit of bayanihan is authentically Filipino and we believe this is the common thread that will bind us a people. The objectives of the campaign are as follows:
- To raise awareness among born and/or raised Filipinos in the US about the essence of being a Filipino by identifying a common thread that binds us together as belonging to a people with common descent.
- To perpetuate the passing on of the Filipino heritage to future Fil-Am generations.
- To address the need for a strong and unified Fil-Am community.
- To improve the image of the Filipino within the Filipino-American community and in the global community as well.
- To help Philippine tourism by promoting not only the beauty of our country but also the beauty of our people.
- To create a demand in the US for Philippine-made products to boost the country’s economy and promote pride in the commodities.
- To generate support for programs and products geared towards promotion of country and people among the Fil-Ams such as GK USA’s Bayani Tours, the Consulate’s Mabuhay tours, social entrepreneurships like Human Nature, etc.
- GK USA Scholarship & Internships
GK USA Scholarship Program aims to support deserving Filipinos (GK beneficiaries, students, educators) to attain the highest level of education they can achieve in order to pursue the goal of giving back to the Motherland through their acquired expertise.
GK USA internships allow Filipino American students to get involved in community work and nonprofit management. Internships are open to current students and recent graduates who wish to get involved in the work of GK USA through its headquarters in San Diego and satellite office in New York City. The internship programs also covers experiential education, community work and immersion activities in the Philippines.
- Disaster Relief
GK USA aims to maintain a disaster relief fund through a nationally organized year-round fundraiser. Through this fund, GK USA is ready to respond to emergency needs immediately when calamities strike in the Philippines.
- Stand & Represent
GK USA will support aspiring young Filipino Americans in the field of sports, entertainment, performing arts, literature, and education on their quest to represent the Philippines in the international arena.
- The Bayani Tour
Organized with the Department of Tourism, GK USA will bring Filipino Americans to the Philippines not only to see the beauty of the motherland but also to experience the beauty of our people in a FUN way (remember, IT’S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!). For every person visiting the Philippines for one week, two years employment is generated for a worker in the Philippines.
- Civic Leadership Initiatives & Youth Empowerment
GK USA seeks to identify with the Filipino youth who may have lost their connection to their Filipino roots. The core of this challenge is to work in partnership with leading Filipino youth and student organizations in the United States in the planning and conduct of symposiums, leadership forums, civic leadership initiatives and special events (i.e. cultural shows, concerts, movie screenings, etc.) that will establish cultural identity, values, youth and community empowerment and anything encompassing the essence of what it means to be a bayani, a Filipino.