Balik*Bayan NY 2025 marks first and largest gathering of Filipino diaspora entrepreneurs in New York

New York, USA, December 3, 2025 —

The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York, in partnership with Endeavor Philippines, hosted Balik*Bayan NY 2025 on December 3, 2025, at the Philippine Center in New York. Held for the first time in New York—and the largest BalikBayan gathering to date—the event brought together Filipino-American founders, investors, innovation leaders, ecosystem builders, and entrepreneurs to reconnect with the Philippines and explore ways to contribute to its fast-growing startup ecosystem. Previous BalikBayan editions were held in Singapore, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Balik*Bayan NY 2025 was held as part of Endeavor Week, when Endeavor’s global community convened in New York for its year-end gathering. The event underscored Endeavor’s mission to mobilize the Filipino diaspora and strengthen cross-border collaboration by creating meaningful connections between U.S.-based professionals and high-growth entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

The program opened with remarks from officials of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, including Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz, and Consul Juan Carlos Borromeo. In a video message, Consul General Mangalile emphasized three objectives of the gathering: facilitating connections between U.S.-based professionals, investors, and mentors and Philippine entrepreneurs; highlighting opportunities for engagement as founders, investors, or mentors within the Philippine startup ecosystem; and encouraging concrete actions that translate dialogue into economic impact.

The evening featured insights from Manny Ayala, Managing Director of Endeavor Philippines and Regional Managing Director of Endeavor Asia, who spoke about Endeavor’s “pay-it-forward” culture and the multiplier effect, where successful entrepreneurs reinvest their experience, capital, and networks to help others scale.

A highlight of the program was a panel discussion which featured Mikaela Reyes, Founder and CEO of Parallax (acquired by Phantom), and Jaime Deverall, Co-Founder and CTO of Flychain. The panel explored how members of the Filipino diaspora (often referred to as “sea turtles”) can meaningfully support the Philippine startup ecosystem through mentorship, investment, and active participation.

Balik*Bayan NY 2025 also featured a cultural performance by Broadway Barkada, with Emily Borromeo and Renee Albulario, reinforcing the event’s blend of entrepreneurship, community, and Filipino identity. The gathering showcased the growing momentum of the Philippine startup ecosystem and highlighted how diaspora engagement—through capital, trust, and collaboration—can help drive inclusive economic growth and global competitiveness.

The event was supported by Jollibee and Hotel 101, whose partnership helped make Balik*Bayan NY 2025 possible.