NaFFAA New York State has received the organization’s Carabao Leadership Award, a national honor recognizing the chapter’s work to build a Filipino American community center and expand its presence in civic life across the state.
The award was presented at the National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ National Empowerment Conference, held Aug. 14-15 in Aurora, Colorado. The two-day gathering brought Filipino American leaders, community organizations and advocates from across the country to the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center.
NaFFAA New York State said it is the first state chapter in the federation’s history to receive the Carabao Leadership Award. The recognition was accompanied by a Leadership Excellence Award for chapter President Rachelle Ocampo, presented by Dr. Laura Garcia, president of NaFFAA’s Northeast Region.
For Ocampo, the two honors reflected years of work by volunteers, partners and community members who have pushed to make NaFFAA New York a more organized and influential voice for Filipino Americans.
“This recognition belongs to the many leaders, volunteers, partners, and community members who have spent years building NaFFAA New York into a stronger and more united voice for Filipino Americans,” Ocampo said.
She described the Carabao award not as an endpoint, but as a challenge for the organization to continue building partnerships, developing leaders and seeking resources for the community.
At the conference, Ocampo joined a panel of NaFFAA leaders discussing practical approaches to strengthening local chapters and regional networks. Moderated by NaFFAA National Vice President Dr. Alexander Africa, the panel addressed operational coordination, leadership development and models that could be adapted across the federation.
Ocampo highlighted NaFFAA New York’s effort to secure federal capital funding for a Filipino American community center. The proposal would create a permanent home for cultural programs, direct services, civic-engagement work and leadership development, according to the chapter.
The planned center is central to the chapter’s broader strategy: moving from event-based organizing to an institution with space, services and a lasting public presence.
Garcia said Ocampo’s leadership has helped position NaFFAA New York for that next phase.
“Rachelle Ocampo’s leadership reflects what we hope to cultivate throughout NaFFAA—leadership that brings people together, develops others, builds meaningful partnerships, and transforms vision into lasting community impact,” Garcia said.
The chapter also used the conference to invest in its younger members. Leslie J. Flores, NaFFAA New York State’s director of community engagement, supported Filipino American participants ages 18 to 29 in the Emerging Leadership Institute, a program led by NaFFAA Northern California.
Flores said young people must be viewed as leaders now, rather than simply a future pipeline.
“Youth and young adults are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today,” Flores said. “We must continue to educate, train and support young Filipino Americans so they have the tools and confidence to take on leadership roles in our communities.”
The Carabao award carries the symbol of the Philippine water buffalo, long associated with strength, resilience and hard work. For NaFFAA New York State, the recognition arrives as the chapter seeks to turn that symbolism into a permanent community institution—and a stronger voice in New York’s civic life.
