Twenty eight Filipino youth are set to begin a journey that would take them to Japan and six other Southeast Asian nations in 51 days on board the luxury cruise ship Nippon Maru.
Dubbed as the “ultimate cruise,” the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program or SSEAYP gives cruising a deeper meaning as youth delegates on board MV Nippon Maru, composed of young people from Japan and countries from Southeast Asia, discuss issues affecting other young people in the region and propose measures to address them.
“It is quite literally a ship full of hope, as young people from participating nations extend the hand of friendship and cooperation to one another,” says Commissioner Erwin Andaya, Chair of this year’s organizing committee.
Aside from the activities on board the ship, participating youths are also treated to unique country programs in each port of call. “We’re cooking something up to make this year’s Philippine Country Program memorable, yung mga natutunan nila during the discussion sa barkowill be put into practice, some will be making advocacy videos on HIV while others will share their social entrepreneurial skills to selected Filipino youth inter-actors,” adds Commissioner Andaya.
Now on its 40th year, SSEAYP is a flagship program of the National Youth Commission (NYC). It is an annual cultural exchange program that started in 1974 as a joint statement between ASEAN Member States and Japan. Participated by young people from these countries, the program’s objective is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among them and the local youth in their respective countries.
Bulacan Provincial Board Member Ariel S. Arceo will head the delegation as National Leader, while Randy Magdaluyo of Zamboanga will act as the Youth Leader. Region V is represented by Ms. Airis Manaloto who hails from Masbate and Mr. Saturnino Lorena from Albay. Both of them are public school teacher.
REF:
Dennis V. Mendoza / Nydia P. Delfin
0915-3401867 / 416-2833 / 4730435
Social Marketing Division / Naga Area Office
National Youth Commission