MANILA - Twenty-six Filipino youth leaders will be representing the country as ambassadors to the 36th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).

SSEAYP is a 52-day cruise that will bring the 300 youth delegates from 11 countries to visit Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Bruinei Darussalam and Japan. The Nippon Maru cruise liner will sail from October 27 through December 18, 2009.

It is an annual program sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan. The whole event aims to promote and strengthen friendship and cultural understanding among Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN).

SSEAYP also aims to broaden the youth representatives’ international and intercultural perspective and leadership potentials.

Pangkat Balanghay

Pangkat Balanghay is the Philippine delegation of SSEAYP. The said 26 participants are selected for they best exemplify Filipino values through active citizenship, according to a press statement issued by the group.

The group will showcase, in the event, the country’s rich culture and heritage as well as highlight Filipino achievers and Philippine companies who have achieved global success.

Pre-departure activities

Before hopping on to the cruise, the Filipino youth delegates would have to undergo a month-long training on diplomatic affairs, leadership, culture and the arts from September 26 to October 26.

During that time, they would also have to prepare different research papers featuring the best local practices in education, youth development and traditional culture.

Balanghay’s mission

One of Pangkay Balanghay’s missions is to have a more unified Filipino culture despite the regional differences.

They also want to integrate and inculturate the best practices of ASEAN countries into the Filipino way of life. 

The representatives for the 36th SSEAYP aims to establish and sustain social networks for partnerships and collaboration for youth development endeavors, business and tourism.

Solicitation problems

National Leader of Pangkat Balanghay 2009 Geraldine Bernardo said in a video message addressed to the participants that most of them are having solicitation problems. (Watch her video message here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEfU4lU4LVM)

She said that they are doing their best to cut down costs by trying to look for sponsors, discount for hotels and free food for the participants.

If you want to help the youth representatives you can try to contact Bernardo at:

4/F Bookman Building, 373 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES
Telephone Numbers: (+632) 794-9401 / 794-9404 / 749-9399

Or you could also contact SSEAYP Balanghay’s Marketing Committee Head Katrina Sevilleja for inquiries at: +639173747584 or via email at katrina.sevilleja@gmail.com.