11 young Pinoys to join ASEAN-Japan exchange program

Eleven young Filipino leaders were chosen to participate in a 10-day international cultural exchange program in Tokyo, Japan.

The Filipinos will join the 47th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) — an exchange program in which participants were selected by the Japanese government and supported by the 10-member ASEAN countries — set on November 29 to December 8, 2023.

The batch will be headed by national leader Jogepons Ruloma — a public servant, registered environmental planner, and a licensed professional teacher from Bohol.

Along with Ruloma are other youth leaders, namely: Verna Abby Catusalem (Aurora), Aldrine Anzures (Manila), Brian Delos Santos (Masbate), Justine Angelica Orbe (Bataan), Leyden Sta. Isabel (Bacolod), Kingsley De Los Santos (Iloilo), Wilfred Paller (Aklan), Raymark Estael (Agusan del Sur), Abdulfarid Guinomla (Cotabato), and Hilton Soberano (Davao).

The Philippines, through the National Youth Commission, will be sending them to Japan to participate in immersion programs, cultural presentations, field studies, collaborative discussions with international counterparts, courtesy visits, and attend the anniversary reception commemorating the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

At the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, major United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be discussed such as quality education, gender equality and women’s empowerment, energy, climate change, economic growth and sustainable communities, good health and well-being. —Giselle Ombay/KBK, GMA Integrated News