PRESS RELEASE
WDC-36-2026
12 June 2026
Embassy Press and Information Section
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During their courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, the newest Filipino-American participants of the Embassy’s IMPACT! professional development program were urged to step into influential positions, contribute to empowering the Filipino-American diaspora, and build connections with the Philippines.
“The Embassy is excited to introduce a new group of young Filipino-American talent to Washington through our annual IMPACT! program. Filipino-Americans are a significant community in the United States, and it is our hope with such programs as IMPACT! to translate their outsize presence into positions of influence in this country,” said Ambassador Romualdez in advance of the courtesy call.
The 2026 IMPACT! cohort, whose undergraduate studies are in the fields of economics, legal studies, political science and public policy, economics, include the following:
- Jasmine Lianalyn Rocha, Columbia University
- Margaret Jane Piatos, University of Virginia
- Reece Cynthia Roach, University of California, Berkeley
- Spencer Smith, Yale University
The students also took the opportunity to gather insights from Ambassador Romualdez on current events, Philippines-U.S. relations, and the work of the Embassy.
Now in its seventh year, IMPACT! is a joint program of the Embassy and the US-Asia Institute (USAI) aimed at priming deserving Filipino-American university students and young graduates for future positions in leadership and fostering Philippines-U.S. relations. Over the course of the nine-week program, participants are exposed to American politics and government through internships in Washington, D.C. and offer students hands-on mentorship and professional networking opportunities. This year’s program participants will undertake their internships with legislators in the U.S. Congress.
###
