On April 11, 1995, Cardinal O'Connor established the FilipinoApostolate as a program of the Archdiocese of New York to address the pastoral needs of Filipino Catholics of the archdiocese. He appointed Fr. Father Erno Diaz as Coordinator of the Filipino Apostolate.

At the inaugural mass of the Filipino Apostolate at St. Patrick's Cathedral on September 15, 1995, Cardinal O'Connor challenged the Filipino people to participate in the ministry of evangelization.

"Remember your great mission of evangelizing. Bring the faith to all in America, regardless of their race or ethnic background, whoever they may be. You have that faith in abundance. Let it pour forth from you. Let it radiate from you. You can be the light of the world."

Towards the end of 1995, Fr. Diaz established the Filipino Youth Apostolate (FYA) and appointed Ferdi Velasco as its coordinator.