A total of eleven (11) Filipino young leaders represented the country in the 47th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) in Tokyo, Japan on November 29 to December 8, 2023.Established in 1974 and organized by the Cabinet Office of Japan in cooperation with the ASEAN member States, SSEAYP is an international cultural exchange program intended to cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and friendship among the participating countries.
This year’s SSEAYP with the theme “Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities” also highlights the Commemoration of the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. During the exchange program, United Nation’s major Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were discussed such as quality education; gender equality and women empowerment; energy, climate change and recycling measures; growth and sustainable communities; and good health and well -being.
Jogepons AbarquezRuloma, a public servantfrom Calape, Bohol and is presently employed in the Department of the Interior and Local Government is the Philippine National Leader. Together with Rulomaare representatives from the country’s three (3) major island groups. From Luzon are Verna Abby Catusalem, Aldrine Anzures, Brian Delos Santos and Justine Angelica Orbe. Representing the Visayas island are Leyden Sta. Isabel, Kingsley De Los Santos and Wilfred Paller while from Mindanao are Raymark Estael, AbdulfaridGuinomla and Hilton Soberano.