Two youths in Central Luzon are among the 28 delegates selected from various regions in the country, and among 300 in select countries, who will join the 51-day Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) sponsored by the Japanese government in collaboration with other countries of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Central Luzon selected delegates are Erika Nalliw, 25, of Bacal I. Talavera, Nueva Ecija and King Castillo, 21, of Pilar, Bataan. Nalliw is marketing manager of Milka Krem of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the Science City of Muñoz while Castillo is a recent graduate of the course Business Administration and Accountancy at UP Diliman.
They will mostly stay aboard the luxury cruise ship Nippon Maru from October 29 to December 18 this year. Prior to the actual boarding of the ship, they already went on a nine-day pre-departure training in Rizal province last July and month-long pre-departure activities and farewell show in Manila from September 28 up to the time of their actual departure.
They will briefly leave the ship for their country program in Japan, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia in which they will have opportunities to interact with the local youths and do institutional visits. While on board the ship they will engage in solidarity group activities, discussions on thematic topics like environment, disaster risk management, education, health, food, nutrition, media and information, social contribution activities, culture and traditions, and cultural performance and exhibition.
In general, the aim of SSEAYP is to foster friendship and better understanding among the ASEAN countries through the youth who are expected to widen their international outlook for the betterment of the majority.
In the country, the program, which is now on its 41st staging, is organized and implemented by the National Youth Commission under the Office of the President. The other Philippine selected participating delegates to the SSEAYP are Edwin Antonio from the National Commission for the Culture and Arts (NCAA), Juan Valeriano Respicio IV (Region 1), Eurie Calderon, Mixie Rivera and Sam Samson from Region IV; Xian Antiquiera, Xyra Belen and Rey Casao from Region V; Rosalinda Tuvilla II from Region VI; Thesa Lusica and Alexis Masangkay from Region VII; Marj Culibar and Red Sabela from Region VIII; Sarah Ismael and Zen Johan from Region IX; Tom Bauya and Jhan Paniamba-an from Region X; Jan Cutin and Audrey Maypa from Region XI; Zaldy Baguios Jr. and Blessy Cautivar from Region XII; Jhed Cosain from ARMM; Janina Baluyan and Jackie Doguil from Cordillera Administrative region; Patty Ceniza and Mac Panganiban from the National Capital Region.
Antonio, who is vice head of the NCCA’s on Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts, has been chosen to be the national leader of the Philippine participants.
