Dear Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps;
Hon. Alfredo Lim, Mayor, City of Manila ;
Usec. Leon G. Flores, Chairman and CEO, National Youth Commission (NYC) ;
Mr. Masaaki Sato, Administrator, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan;
Distinguished Guests:
Good afternoon.
I am happy to be with you all this afternoon.
The Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” (The youth are our hope for the future). To stand up on this podium and to see so many “hope of the future,” it is a great feeling. As you get older like me, you will experience lots of failures, disappointments and regrets. Because you haven't lived that long enough, you can venture to try new things, immerse yourself with passion and hope to realize your dreams. That is your prerogative. That is why the society, not only your respective country but the global community, looks upon you to build her future.
The world today is completely different from the world I knew in my youth. The global population has more than doubled, the cold war was replaced with a more complicated security situation, and global warming is on everybody's minds. In this globalized and interdependent world that we live in right now, the importance of strengthened unity is greater than ever before.
The basis of unity is mutual understanding. If you don't understand each other, how can you live together? It is important to know that we are different, understand why we are different, and most important of all, respect our differences. I learned this through my great teacher, my wife.
Now SSEAYP, which has produced long-lasting friendships, is a great program because it makes the youth of Japan and ASEAN countries understand each other. Staying onboard the boat “Fuji Maru,” you are inevitably learning to understand the difference of each other. By learning to respect each other you are building networks beyond borders.
Having said that, I am proud that the Government of Japan commenced these exchange programs as early as 1974. I have no doubt that the “heart-to-heart understanding” developed among the participants has served, and will serve, as a catalyst for friendship in our region.
Lastly, let me conclude by quoting Dave Barry, an American humorist, “You can only be young once, but you can always be immature.” It is my sincere hope that you make the best of this experience and build a better future for our Asian communities.
Maraming Salamat po.
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines