Fordham alumna Iris Zalun is the new president of UniPro
The Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc. (UniPro) has announced its executive board for the 2014-2015 year. Iris Zalun, 25, will be leading the Executive Board as president, alongside Noel Aglubat and Kirklyn Escondo as vice president and secretary general, respectively.“I am honored and thrilled to be the new president of UniPro, especially alongside such an amazing Executive Board and team of directors,” said Iris in a press statement.
Born in Manhattan, Iris double majored in English and Theology at Fordham College at Lincoln Center. She graduated in 2011 and is currently working for Fortuny, a fabric and interiors company. Her father is from Solana, Cagayan and her mother from Quezon City; both are retired and have returned to the Philippines early this year. She has a younger brother.
“‘Looking forward’ doesn’t even begin to describe how we feel about our plans for the coming year, from our second annual Filipino American Internship Fair to Summit 2015,” she said. “We’re excited to build towards our definition of ‘progress’ for our community: visibility, and the equality that this country promises to all Americans.”
The new team has kickstarted the fiscal year by joining the People’s Climate March on September 21. In a powerful symbol of solidarity, particularly with the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, UniPro marched alongside a coalition of several other Filipino American organizations, such as FAHSI, Legacy, and Anakbayan NY & NJ.
UniPro has also appointed the following program and department directors for the new year:
• Director of Community Building: Christine Yaptangco
• Director of Usapan: Mark Libatique
• Co-Directors of Summit: Dominique De Leon and Patti Dayleg
• Director of Finance: Jennifer Delos Santos
• Director of Fundraising: Stephanie Chrispin
• Director of Communications: Therese Franceazca Balagtas
• Director of Staff Development: Edsel Batucan
• Assistant Director of Staff Development: Christine Sicwaten
• Director of Human Resources: Marisa McCloskey
UniPro is a non-profit organization comprising students and young professionals. Its mission is to facilitate and encourage cooperation among various FilAm organizations, institutions, and programs. For more information, visit unipronow.org.
Congratulations to my former student, Miss Kirklyn Escondo, your secretary general. Just to let you know she graduated as class valedictorian in the year 2004 at Holy Child Jesus School. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. More power to her and your organization.