RP Youth Delegates to Ship Named

Out of more than 500 applicants to this year’s search for youth delegates to represent the country to the 31st Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), the National Youth Commission comes up with the list of the 28 successful applicants.

After the regional interviews conducted by the NYC, together with representatives from partner agencies including the Civil Service Commission, Department of Tourism and Department of Social Welfare and Development, the finalists underwent an extensive pre-departure training.

The chosen delegates or participating youths (as they are called) were given lectures on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan, Philippine Foreign Policy, basic languages and cultures of the participating countries, and social graces.

“During the training the participating youths were also given team-building exercises, which is very important to ensure that the group will be able to gel and work smoothly with one another,” NYC Chairman Bam Aquino said.

To serve as national leader of the delegation, the NYC has also selected Vice Mayor Ronald P Carcellar of Camotes Island, Cebu, form among hopefuls in the civil service. Carcellar is a former participating youth in 1994.

Following are the names of the chosen delegates, subject to the result of the psychological and medical examination: Laser Albert S. Gelido, Phobelyn M. Carrera, Jennelson B. Gorospe, Fatima C. Saquing, Francis Ron C. De Guzman, Diana Cecilia S.R. Cambrano, Ronnie B. Mirabuena, Karen Asuncion R. Panol, Gil Francis G. Arevalo, Eder Thelma B. Sarthou, Vicente R. Tan, Catherine C. Datungputi, Paul T. Adolfo, Gina G. Catayas, Jeffrey A. Maala, Darrel B. Pobre, Cinderella S. Wahab, ren Vincent C. Escalera, Efenita May M. Tagueban, Alexis A. Codilla, Elyn Rose P. Catapang, Norodon L. Ambolodto, Lady Hanifah R. Mindalano, Lanniene S. Mordido, Arion S. Moreno, Berlin Toyokan, Ritchie Aldwin D. Tomelden and Mary Fatima L. Gomez.

The delegates are expected to leave the country on August 31, 2004 to Japan, the first port of call, wherein they will be meeting more than 300 counterparts from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanman, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.

The SSEAYP is a cultural exchange program being sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan in coordination with the ASEAN governments. In the Philippines, the NYC implements the Program by selecting the delegates and preparing the four-day country program.