The 40th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) of the Government of Japan made its last stop at the Philippines before returning to Japan, from December 6 to December 9, 2013, aboard the MS Nippon Maru, docked at Pier 15 in Manila. Upon arrival, delegates were greeted with a warm welcome by the City of Manila, with a marching band and dance troupe. The Philippines is the fifth and last port of call on the 51-day journey of the 40th SSEAYP, having started in Japan, followed by Vietnam, Thailand, Lao PDR, and Singapore. At each country, participating youth delegates from Japan and the ASEAN engaged in official visits at government agencies, and other local cultural facilities, as well as took part in on-board activities in between ports of call. The country program for the Philippines, coordinated through the implementing agency, the National Youth Commission (NYC), consisted of a Press Conference, Welcome Ceremony, Homestays and Institution Visits, Open Ship, and the Farewell Ceremony.
The Press Conference was held inside the ship, with members of the media in attendance. The panel was made up of the NYC's own Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Leon G. Flores III, and Assistant Secretary and Commissioner Representing Visayas Erwin Chua Andaya; the Nippon Maru Ship Administrator, of the Cabinet Office of Japan, Mr. Makoto Ito; the National Leader of the Philippine Delegation Hon. Ariel Arceo, Youth Leader Mr. Randy Magdaluyo, and Assistant Youth Leader Ms. Jemimah Landicho. The National Leaders of the rest of the ASEAN delegations were also present at the press conference. The program, moderated by the NYC, was opened by NYC Chairman and CEO Leon G. Flores III, lauding the merits of SSEAYP in its 40th year, though not forgetting about the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Central Philippines. The National Leader, and Youth Leaders of the Philippine Delegation spoke at length of their accomplishments thus far, having initiated a donation drive for typhoon victims, and a paper-crane project expressing their solidarity with the survivors. After the open forum, where questions from the media were entertained, the attendees were taken on a guided tour of the ship.
Following the press conference, a Welcome Ceremony was held in honor of the Participating Youths, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). On behalf of Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Dr. Angel Espiritu, Director of the Youth Development and Welfare Bureau of the City of Manila, gave the welcome message and presented a key to the city to Ship Administrator Mr. Makoto Ito, symbolizing everlasting friendship and the open arms of Manila to Japan. Mr. Makoto Ito responded with a message of gratitude, accepting the token and relaying his sentiments as the head of the Nippon Maru. His Excellency Toshinao Urabe, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, introduced by NYC Chairman Leon G. Flores III, then delivered a speech on globalization and the important role of youth in ushering in progress. Representing the Honorable Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., Executive Secretary to the President of the Philippines, Ronaldo A. Geron, Undersecretary of the Discipline Office of the Office of the President, delivered the Keynote Address in his stead, sharing his own SSEAYP aspirations as a youth. To conclude the program, each delegation from the ASEAN performed a ceremonial exchange of gifts with the NYC, and afterwards, snacks were served while the Paranaque National High School Dance troupe performed a routine of Filipino folk dances, accompanied by a Rondalla ensemble.
On December 7, the participating youths visited the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, Ramon Magsaysay High School, the Philippine Information Agency, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Department of Agriculture, as part of their courtesy calls to local government offices. They were also matched with host families for homestays at the GSIS Gym, enjoying Filipino hospitality and local traditions and culture, interacting in more casual and relaxed environments.
On December 8, they continued their trips to monuments and establishments, visiting Luneta Park, where National Leaders had a wreath-laying activity, facilitated by the city government. Meanwhile, the youth participants stayed overnight with their assigned host families and SSEAYP alumni had a reunion dinner on the Nippon Maru, led by SSEAYP International Philippines (SIP). The SIP celebrated to the tune of "SSEAYP: More Fun @ 40!" as they reminisced on their time as former delegates over good food and great company.
On their last day, December 9, closing the Philippine country program, an Open-Ship event was conducted, with academic, civic, and business organizations invited to climb aboard the Nippon Maru to tour the ship and meet the participating youths before they set sail for Japan once again. Afterwards, they were sent off in a Farewell Ceremony with parting messages from Dr. Angel Espiritu, representative of Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the representative of the host families, the participating youth representative from Japan, and NYC Chairman Leon G. Flores III.
The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program started in the year 1974, and has been undertaken by the Government of Japan, with the cooperation of ten ASEAN Member States, based on their respective commitments to regional fellowship and understanding. SSEAYP not only fosters friendship, but it is a training ground that grooms future leaders in the context of a globalizing world. The 40th SSEAYP also concurs with the 40th year of Japan-ASEAN Friendship, mirroring the theme "Thoughts Connected, Future Connected."
