NYC Sends-off Youth Delegates to SSEAYP

The National Youth Commission today sends-off the country’s 28 delegates to the 31st Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP). The Philippine contingent is bound for Japan, where more than 300 delegates will converge from Southeast Asian countries and the sponsoring country, Japan.

They will be boarding the luxury ship, “MS Nippon Maru” in Yokohama, Japan to start the cruise of the goodwill mission, which will then visit the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

The SSEAYP is a cultural exchange program aiming to foster friendship and understanding among the youth leaders of Southeast Asia and Japan by living together for around two months in the ship while interacting through solid group activities, discussions, exhibits, cultural presentations and other activities. During their visits to the countries mentioned, the delegates will have a chance to interact with the local youth, and educational visits to relevant institutions. Each host country also prepares a homestay program for the delegates.

In the Philippines, the NYC selects the delegates to the program and prepares the four-day country program when the ship docks carrying the ambassadors of goodwill. Heading the SSEAYP National Organizing Committee this year is NYC Commissioner for the Visayas, Araceli Aves, who is also a former delegate to the Program in 1993.

Out of more than 500 applicants to this year’s search for youth delegates, the NYC came up with the list of the 28 successful applicants after conducting regional interviews. The NYC sought the assistance of other agencies as members of the interview panel, including the Civil Service Commission, Department of Tourism and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

They also underwent an extensive pre-departure training, wherein they were given lectures on the ASEAN and Japan, Philippine Foreign Policy, basic languages and cultures of the participating countries, and social graces.

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

Following are the names of the chosen delegates: 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.